"
"Then we may still be within view from the deck of the _Sea Gull_ at
daybreak?"
"Yes; that will depend entirely upon luck."
She turned away, and sat quiet, staring forward intently into the black
void.
"What time is it now?"
"Nearly three."
"In two hours it will be dawn."
"Yes."
I thought I could see her clasp her hands together; then suddenly lean
forward.
"Why, look there!" she exclaimed quickly. "See! to the right.
Merciful Heavens! it is a ship!"
CHAPTER XXXIV
THE REVENUE CUTTER
The vision, indistinct in the gloom, was blotted out from me by the
intervening sail. It was only as I leaned well to one side that I
could distinguish the dim outlines. By that time we were almost upon
it, and I could only sheer away to avoid collision. It was hard to
determine the nature of the vessel, the sides looming so close above
us, but it was not the _Sea Gull_. I was certain of that from the
height of the rail, and the outline of a square foresail showing dimly
against the sky. From poop to bow there was not a light visible, and
the hull moved through the water like that of a spectral ship.
Apparently we were unnoticed, and as the stretch of water widened
slightly between us, I called out:
"Ahoy there! Take us aboard!"
I shouted twice, before a head popped over the rail, and stared down in
apparent amazement.
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