a vessel,
that is merely steadied by her stay-sails, can be seen so far. Vigilance
is a never-failing sign of value!"

A pause succeeded, during which all the glasses, in imitation of that of
Wilder, were again raised in the direction of the stranger. Different
opinions were given; some affirming, and some doubting, the fact of the
signals. The Rover himself was silent, though his observation was keen,
and long continued.

"We have wearied oar eyes till sight is getting dim," he said. "I have
found the use of trying fresh organs when my own have refused to serve me.
Come hither, lad," he continued, addressing a man who was executing some
delicate job in seamanship on the poop, at no great distance from the spot
where the groupe of officers had placed themselves; "come hither: Tell me
what you make of the sail in the south-western board."

The man proved to be Scipio, who had been chosen for his expertness, to
perform the task in question. Placing his cap on the deck, in a reverence
even deeper than that which the seaman usually manifests toward his
superior, he lifted the glass in one hand, while with the other he covered
the eye that had at the moment no occasion for the use of its vision. But
no sooner did the wandering instrument fall on the distant object, than he
dropped it again, and fastened his look, in a sort of stupid admiration,
on Wilder.

"Did you see the sail?" demanded the Rover.

"Masser can see him wid he naked eye."

"Ay, but what make you of him by the aid of the glass?"

"He'm ship, sir."

"True. On what course?"

"He got he starboard tacks aboard, sir."

"Still true. But has he signals abroad?"

"He'm got t'ree new cloths in he maintop-gallant royal, sir."

"His vessel is all the better for the repairs. Did you see his flags?"

"He'm show no flag, masser."

"I thought as much myself. Go forward, lad--stay--one often gets a true
idea by seeking it where it is not thought to exist. Of what size do you
take the stranger to be?"

"He'm just seven hundred and fifty tons, masser."

"How's this! The tongue of your negro, Mr. Wilder, is as exact as a
carpenter's rule. The fellow speaks of the size of a vessel, that is hull
down, with an air as authoritative as a runner of the King's customs could
pronounce on the same, after she had been submitted to the office
admeasurement."

"You will have consideration for the ignorance of the black; men of his
unfortunate state are seldom skilful