The scene was sufficiently striking, and well calculated to impress itself on a young and imaginative mind, while the whole was brilliantly illuminated by a cloudless sun set in a dome of exquisite blue.
From the topgallant forecastle-head a fairly good view of the speeding vessel could be obtained, but the best point from which to see her was the jib-boom end, and although Jack felt inclined to climb out there, he was not permitted to do so.
'No, no, Master Jack,' one of the quarter-masters, named Readyman, exclaimed; 'a few months ahead you may try that. A slip of hand or foot now would end all your voyaging, and how could I send your dad such news?'
'Do you know my father?' Jack eagerly inquired.
'Ay, lad, and sailed with him too, long before you were born! Directly I saw him here I knew him again, and promised to keep an eye on you.'
At that moment a cry from amongst the swelling canvas aloft reached the deck.
'There they blow!'
The boy at first failed to see anything, although he knew that whales must be in sight.
It was not long, however, before Readyman pointed out several dark specks just awash off the port-quarter, and fast overhauling the clipper, despite her ten knots an hour.
As they drew closer Jack perceived several jets of spray suddenly rise above the water.