of their reach. This was _prima facie_ proof that they had something
worth carrying along with them; perhaps water!

Some one made use of the word. It was like proclaiming a reprieve to a
wretch upon the scaffold about to be launched into eternity. It caused
such excitement in the minds of the motley crew--all of them suffering
from extreme thirst--that, without further hesitancy, they bent eagerly
to their oars,--putting forth the utmost effort of their strength in
chase of the _Catamaran_.

CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR.

CHAPTER LXXXIV.

The Chase.

Half pulling, half trusting to the sail, in a few seconds they were
alongside the carcass of the _cachalot_. They saw what it was and
divined how it came to be there; though still puzzled by the pyrotechnic
display exhibited on its summit.

As they passed under the shadow of the huge mass some proposed that they
should stay by it,--alleging that it would furnish food for all; but
this proposal was rejected by the majority.

"_Pardieu_!" exclaimed the directing voice of Le Gros; "we have food a
plenty. It's drink we want now. There's no water upon the whale; and
there must be some in possession of these runaways, whoever they be.
Let us first follow _them_! If we overhaul them, we can come back. If
not, we can return all the same!"

This proposal appeared too reasonable to be rejected. A muttered assent
of the majority decided its acceptance; and the raft, yielding to the
renewed impulse of the rowers, swept past the carcass,--leaving both the
black mass and the blazing beacon astern.

As if further to justify the course of action he had counselled, Le Gros
continued--

"No fear about our finding the dead fish. This fog is clearing away.
In half an hour there won't be a trace of it. We shall be able to make
out the carcass if the whale twenty miles off,--especially with the
smoke of that infernal fire to guide us. Pull like the devil! Be sure
of it, there's water in one of those casks we see. Only think of
it,--_water_!"

It scarce needed the repetition of this magic word to stimulate his
thirsty companions. They were already pulling with all their strength.

For about ten minutes the chase continued,--both the pursued and the
pursuer equally enveloped in vapour. They were less than two hundred
yards apart, and virtually within view,--though not so near as to
distinguish one another's features. Each crew could make out the forms
of the other