It was a fine evening; a licht, steady breeze was blawing, and the ship, under her topgallantsails, was gaun aboot four knots an hour through the water; and the wee boat danced merrily owre the waves a gey bit ahead, wi' her white sails glinting in the sun, like the wings o' a bonny sea-bird.
Whan the darkening cam on, the captain, afore he turned in, said to the offisher o' the watch, "Keep your eye on the boat, Mr Bowline, and on no account let the ship go faster through the water than she does at present. Let me know if the boat makes any signal, or if the breeze should freshen."
"Ay, ay, sir!—Keep a good look-out for the boat there, forward!"
Weel, sir, the breeze keepit steady, and the ship gaed cannily through the water, and the boat was easy to be seen—till aboot seven-bells—that's half-past eleven—the sky beguid to be o'ercast, and the breeze to freshen; but still through the darkness the bit white sail was seen.
At eight-bells, that's twal o'clock, the watch was relieved, and anither officer came up to tak charge o' the ship.
"A cloudy night, Bowline. What are the orders?"
"You're to keep the ship the same course" (I dinna just min' what it was), "and not to lose sight of the boat on any account."
"Very well. But where is the boat?"
"There she is, just under that dark cloud. Good-night!"
"Don't be in such a hurry. I can't see the boat!"