"In two hours it will be dawn."
"Yes."
I thought I could see her clasp her hands together; then suddenly lean forward.
"Why, look there!" she exclaimed quickly. "See! to the right. Merciful Heavens! it is a ship!"
CHAPTER XXXIV
THE REVENUE CUTTER
The vision, indistinct in the gloom, was blotted out from me by the intervening sail. It was only as I leaned well to one side that I could distinguish the dim outlines. By that time we were almost upon it, and I could only sheer away to avoid collision. It was hard to determine the nature of the vessel, the sides looming so close above us, but it was not the Sea Gull. I was certain of that from the height of the rail, and the outline of a square foresail showing dimly against the sky. From poop to bow there was not a light visible, and the hull moved through the water like that of a spectral ship. Apparently we were unnoticed, and as the stretch of water widened slightly between us, I called out:
"Ahoy there! Take us aboard!"
I shouted twice, before a head popped over the rail, and stared down in apparent amazement.