With the slender mast pole six feet above his head he sat on the yard.
A splendid spectacle rewarded his climb.
Right away to the distant horizon all round, the deep blue and white-ridged ocean lay beneath the increasing daylight.
Far below the head canvas pulled strongly at its boom, the sharp bow cut through the water like a knife, surging foam seemed to leap almost to the cat-heads, and never a sail stirred in the wind.
He thought of that first night ascent, and the beautiful scene then witnessed, yet now a scarcely less exquisite light that always precedes sunrise at sea prevailed.
With one arm flung round the mast for security Jack peered ahead.
As the light strengthened a dim blue haze seemed to hang just above the horizon far ahead.
It seemed exactly like the first loom of the South American continent. As it did not rise so rapidly as vapour would, Jack mustered up all his courage for the grand announcement, and in clear, boyish tones he hailed the deck—
'Land, ho!'
His heart beat quickly. Had he been too hasty? He peered at the deepening haze, and then saw Mr. Statten in the crosstrees beneath him.