se that tiny boat out of the blue immensity. But he put
the _Ghost_ through her best paces so as to get between the deserters and
the land. This accomplished, he cruised back and forth across what he
knew must be their course.

On the morning of the third day, shortly after eight bells, a cry that
the boat was sighted came down from Smoke at the masthead. All hands
lined the rail. A snappy breeze was blowing from the west with the
promise of more wind behind it; and there, to leeward, in the troubled
silver of the rising sun, appeared and disappeared a black speck.

We squared away and ran for it. My heart was as lead. I felt myself
turning sick in anticipation; and as I looked at the gleam of triumph in
Wolf Larsen's eyes, his form swam before me, and I felt almost
irresistibly impelled to fling myself upon him. So unnerved was I by the
thought of impending violence to Leach and Johnson that my reason must
have left me. I know that I slipped down into the steerage in a daze,
and that I was just beginning the ascent to the deck, a loaded shot-gun
in my hands, when I heard the startled cry:

"There's five men in that boat!"

I supported myself in the companion-way, weak and trembling, while the
observation was being verified by the remarks of the rest of the men.
Then my knees gave from under me and I sank down, myself again, but
overcome by shock at knowledge of what I had so nearly done. Also, I was
very thankful as I put the gun away and slipped back on deck.

No one had remarked my absence. The boat was near enough for us to make
out that it was larger than any sealing boat and built on different
lines. As we drew closer, the sail was taken in and the mast unstepped.
Oars were shipped, and its occupants waited for us to heave to and take
them aboard.

Smoke, who had descended to the deck and was now standing by my side,
began to chuckle in a significant way. I looked at him inquiringly.

"Talk of a mess!" he giggled.

"What's wrong?" I demanded.

Again he chuckled. "Don't you see there, in the stern-sheets, on the
bottom? May I never shoot a seal again if that ain't a woman!"

I looked closely, but was not sure until exclamations broke out on all
sides. The boat contained four men, and its fifth occupant was certainly
a woman. We were agog with excitement, all except Wolf Larsen, who was
too evidently disappointed in that it was not his own boat with the two
victims of his malice.

We ran