While we were talking there was a cry from the mast-head of "Sail ho!"
"Where away?" called the mate, who was then in charge of the deck.
"Two points on the weather bow!" was the reply.
The captain was below at the time, and the mate sent word to him immediately. In three minutes he was on deck with his glass, but the stranger was too far away to be made out. We held our course for an hour or more, and by the end of that time the sail was clearly discernible from the deck.
The captain scanned her eagerly, and after a careful survey ordered a change of course, so that we should avoid meeting the stranger.
CHAPTER IV.
OVERHAULED BY A BRITISH WAR-SHIP.—SEARCH FOR DESERTERS.—THE CAPTAIN PLAYS A YANKEE TRICK.