est every movement of
the boat.

Only they who have glasses can see what is passing with any
distinctness. For the day is not a bright one, a haze over the sea
hindering observation. It has arisen since the fall of the wind,
perhaps caused by the calm; and, though but a mere film, at such far
distance interferes with the view through their telescopes. Those using
them can just tell that the cutter has closed in upon the strange
vessel, and is lying along under the foremast shrouds, while some of her
crew appear to have swarmed up the chains. This cannot be told for
certain. The haze around the barque is more dense than elsewhere, as if
steam were passing off from her sides, and through it objects show
confusedly.

While the frigate's people are straining their eyes to make out the
movement of their boat, an officer, of sharper sight than the rest,
cries out--

"See! the cutter coming back!"

All perceived this, and with some surprise. It is not ten minutes since
the boat grappled on to the barque. Why returning from her so soon?

While they are conjecturing as to the cause, the same officer again
observes something that has escaped the others. There are but _eight_
oars, instead of ten--the regulation strength of the cutter--and ten men
where before there were thirteen. Three of the boat's crew must have
remained behind.

This causes neither alarm, nor uneasiness, to the frigate's officers.
They take it that the three have gone aboard the barque, and for some
reason, whatever it be, elected to stay there. They know the third
lieutenant to be not only a brave man, but one of quick decision, and
prompt also to act. He has boarded the distressed vessel, discovered
the cause of distress, and sends the cutter back to bring whatever may
be needed for her. Thus reasons the quarterdeck.

It is different on the fore, where apprehensions are rife about their
missing shipmates--fears that some misfortune has befallen them. True,
no shots have been heard nor flashes seen. Still they could have been
killed without firearms. Savages might use other, and less noisy,
weapons.

The tale of the skin-clad crew gives colour to this supposition. But
then the "cutters" went armed--in addition to their cutlasses, being
provided with pikes and boarding-pistols. Had they been attacked, they
would not have retreated without discharging these last--less likely
leaving three of their number behind. Besides no signs of