“Begorra, I don’t believe it is!” exclaimed O’Hara, in whose mind the question had been raised anew. “Upon my sowl, it is big enough for a church-bell; and we have come nearer to it than we were when we first heard it.”
“It must be some other vessel,” added Speers. “It isn’t a steamer, or she would whistle in such a fog as this.”
“No: sure it’s not a steamer; and what the blazes is it?” queried the captain, very much puzzled. “I hope we shall not miss the rest of the fleet.”
“I hope not; but, if the schooners stood down to the southward, we have very little chance of seeing them again, unless this fog lifts soon,” replied Speers.
“Have you seen Gregory and Clinch since the ship’s company was stationed?” asked O’Hara, suddenly changing the topic of the conversation, though he did not cease to peer into the dense fog ahead.
“Neither of them has been on deck since the second part of the starboard watch took the deck,” answered Speers.
“Where are they?”
“I don’t know. They went into the cabin, and I suppose they are there now. They have a state-room together.”
“I don’t quite like the conduct of Gregory, who is the first officer,” added O’Hara, in a low tone. “He took the trouble to tell me he did not approve the arrangement of the watches as I had made it.”
“I dare say he will assent to it,” added Tom. “I don’t know him at all, and never served in the same vessel with him.”