James Playfair, leaving the young girl, immediately sprang to the shrouds of the mainmast.
Chapter V
THE SHOT FROM THE IROQUOIS, AND MISS JENNY'S ARGUMENTS
Until now the navigation of the Dolphin had been very fortunate. Not one ship had been signalled before the sail hailed by the man on watch.
The Dolphin was then in 32? 51' lat., and 57? 43' W. longitude. For forty-eight hours a fog, which now began to rise, had covered the ocean. If this mist favoured the Dolphin by hiding her course, it also prevented any observations at a distance being made, and, without being aware of it, she might be sailing side by side, so to speak, with the ships she wished most to avoid.
Now this is just what had happened, and when the ship was signalled she was only three miles to windward.
When James Playfair had reached the cross-trees, he saw distinctly, through an opening in the mist, a large Federal corvette in full pursuit of the Dolphin.
After having carefully examined her, the Captain came down on deck again, and called to the first officer.
"Mr. Mathew," said he, "what do you think of this ship?"