as really an
astronomical telescope; but, like many similar instruments, it was also
provided with a terrestrial eye-piece, for I had looked through it
across the river, and had marvelled at its far-reaching power. It was
fitted to a tripod stand, but could be disconnected at will; and the
bold idea presented itself to me of borrowing this instrument for a
short time in order to ascertain, if possible, the nationality of the
stranger. It was of course just possible that she might be English, in
which event it would manifestly be Smellie's and my own duty to attempt
to join her.

Full of this idea I descended hastily to the ground and made my way with
all speed in the direction of Don Manuel's house. The telescope was
fortunately in the place where I expected to find it; and, disconnecting
it from the stand and tucking it into its leather case, I set out again
for the look-out tree. Arrived there, I slung the instrument over my
shoulder by means of the stout leather strap attached to the case, and
at once ascended to the topmost branches of the tree, where, selecting a
good substantial limb for a seat, with another conveniently situated to
serve as a rest for the telescope, I comfortably settled myself in
position, determined to ascertain definitely, if possible, before
sunset, what the intentions of the strange sail might be.

I lost no time in extricating the instrument from its case and bringing
it to bear upon the white speck, which, even during the short period of
my absence, had perceptibly changed its position, thus proving the craft
to be a smart vessel under her canvas. I soon had her focused, but
found to my intense disappointment that, owing to her great distance and
the rarefied condition of the atmosphere due to the intense heat of the
day, I was unable to make out very much more in the shape of detail than
was possible with the naked eye; the craft, as seen through the
telescope, appearing to be merely a wavering blot of creamy white, with
another wavering blot of dark colour, representing the hull, below it; a
dark line with a spiral motion to it, which made it look like a
corkscrew, representing above the sails the bare topgallant and royal-
masts. This was vexatious, but the sun was still fully an hour high.
By the time that he would reach the horizon the craft would probably be
some seven or eight miles nearer; the atmosphere was cooling and
becoming less rarefied every minute, and I was sanguine