"Quick! it is the only chance of saving us all!" added the boatswain.
"Only, if you don't make haste, it'll be too late."
The abyss of the waters seemed to open before the ship, ready to engulf it; the waves were rolling over it.
Gennaro crossed himself devoutly, then he muttered a prayer; at last he took up the dagger and stabbed the pentagon in the very middle, just where Vranic had pointed to him with his finger; still, he grew ghastly pale as he did so.
"Holy Mother," said the youth, "forgive me if I have done wrong!"
All the eyes anxiously turned from the bit of paper to the waterspout, whirling round and coming ever nearer.
All at once the whirling seemed to stop; then, as the motion relaxed, the column of water snapped somewhat above the middle; the lower portion, or base, relapsed and gradually fell; it was absorbed by the rising waves and the bubbling and foaming waters. The higher portion began to curl upwards and to disappear amidst the huge mass of lowering clouds overhead.
"There," said Vranic, "I told you the spout would melt away and vanish."
"Wonderful!" said the captain.
"Yes, indeed!" said Gennaro, as he again crossed himself and handed the dagger to its owner, evidently glad to get rid of it.