"Of the crew of three men, the skipper having been washed overboard by a
sea, but two remain, and they have signed."

The two sailors affixed their names underneath the note. The northern
Basque signed himself, GALDEAZUN.

The southern Basque signed, AVE MARIA: _Robber_.

Then the doctor said,--

"Capgaroupe."

"Here," said the Provençal.

"Have you Hardquanonne's flask?"

"Yes."

"Give it me."

Capgaroupe drank off the last mouthful of brandy, and handed the flask
to the doctor.

The water was rising in the hold; the wreck was sinking deeper and
deeper into the sea. The sloping edges of the ship were covered by a
thin gnawing wave, which was rising. All were crowded on the centre of
the deck.

The doctor dried the ink on the signatures by the heat of the torch, and