“The devil she does! Such a chap must not only be in a hurry, but he must be strong handed to give himself all this trouble in such light and var’able winds. Are his yards square?—Is he man-of-war-ish?”
“There’s no telling, sir, at this distance; though I rather think its stun’sails that I see. Go down and get your breakfast, and in half an hour I’ll give a better account of him.”
This was done, Mrs. Budd appearing at the table with great dignity in her manner. Although she had so naturally supposed that Spike’s attentions had been intended for herself, she was rather mortified than hurt on discovering her mistake. Her appetite, consequently, was not impaired, though her stomach might have been said to be very full. The meal passed off without any scene, notwithstanding, and Spike soon re-appeared on deck, still masticating the last mouthful like a man in a hurry, and a good deal à l’Américaine. Mulford saw his arrival, and immediately leveled his glass again.
“Well, what news now, sir?” called out the captain. “You must have a better chance at him by this time, for I can see the chap from off the coach-house here.”
“Ay, ay, sir; he’s a bit nearer, certainly. I should say that craft is a ship under stun’sails, looking to the eastward of south, and that there are caps with gold bands on her quarter-deck.”
“How low down can you see her?” demanded Spike in a voice of thunder.
So emphatic and remarkable was the captain’s manner in putting this question, that the mate cast a look of surprise beneath him ere he answered it. A look with the glass succeeded, when the reply was given.
“Ay, ay, sir; there can be no mistake—it’s a cruiser you may depend on it I can see the heads of her topsails now, and they are so square and symmetrical, that gold bands are below beyond all doubt.”
“Perhaps he’s a Frenchman—Johnny Crapaud keeps cruisers in these seas as well as the rest on ’em.”
“Johnny Crapaud’s craft don’t spread such arms, sir. The ship is either English or American; and he’s heading for the Mona Passage as well as ourselves.”