uch things. Now there is
sum'mat hanging at the lee fore-yard-arm of that chap, that looks as if
it might be a top-gallant-stun'sail made up to be sent aloft and set,
but which stopped when it got as high as it is, on finding out that
there's no hamper over-head to spread it to."

"That's it, sir," put in Bunting. "Mr. Daly has run his woman up to the
fore-yard-arm, like a pirate."

"Woman!" repeated Galleygo--"do you call that 'ere thing-um-mee a woman,
Mr. Buntin'? I calls it a bundle of flags, made up to set, if there was
any thing to set 'em to."

"It's nothing but an Irish woman, Master Galleygo, as you'll see for
yourself, if you'll level this glass at it."

"I'll do that office myself," cried Sir Gervaise. "Have you any
curiosity, gentlemen, to read Mr. Daly's signal? Galleygo, open that
weather window, and clear away the books and writing-desk, that we may
have a look."

The orders were immediately obeyed, and the vice-admiral was soon seated
examining the odd figure that was certainly hanging at the lee
fore-yard-arm of the prize; a perfect nondescript as regarded all
nautical experience.

"Hang me, if I can make any thing of it. Greenly," said Sir Gervaise,
after a long look. "Do _you_ take this seat, and try your hand at an
observation. It resembles a sort of a woman, sure enough."

"Yes, sir," observed Bunting, with the earnestness of a man who felt his
reputation involved in the issue, "I was certain that Mr. Daly has run
up the figure to let us know the name of the prize, and that for want of
a telegraph-book to signal the letters; and so I made sure of what I was
about, before I took the liberty to come below and report."

"And pray what do you make of it, Bunting? The figure-head might tell us
better, but that seems to be imperfect."

"The figure-head has lost all its bust, and one arm, by a shot," said
Greenly, turning the glass to the object named; "and I can tell Mr. Daly
that a part of the gammoning of his bowsprit is gone, too! That ship
requires looking to, Sir Gervaise; she'll have no foremast to-morrow
morning, if this wind stand! Another shot has raked the lower side of
her fore-top, and carried away half the frame. Yes, and there's been a
fellow at work, too--"

"Never mind the shot--never mind the shot, Greenly," interrupted the
vice-admiral. "A poor devil like him, couldn't have six of us at him, at
once, and expect to go 'shot free.' Tell us something of the woman."

"Well, Sir