"Did you heave it in your watch, Mr. Stevens?" said I.
"No," he replied. "What are we doin' now? This has been her pace all along—ha'n't touched a brace or given an order since I came on deck."
He had come on deck to relieve me at four.
"Let's heave the log," I exclaimed; "I shall be better satisfied."
I gave the glass to Stevens, and whilst arranging the log-ship, I looked over the side, and said—
"By Jove, she's walking and no mistake."
"I allow that we're doing ten," said the man at the wheel.
"I give her thirteen good," said I.
"Call it fifteen, and you'll not be far out," observed the boatswain.
The carpenter cocked his evil eye at the water, but hazarded no conjecture.