'And so can I, too, sir,' exclaimed Bill, after having looked for a few
moments in the direction intimated.

'It's a strange sail, then, sure enough,' answered the third officer.

'There's no mistake about that, sir,' replied Bill. 'What do you make
her out to be, sir?'

'I should take her to be a full rigged brig,' answered Summers.

'So should I,' rejoined the sailor. 'She has got studding sails out
a-low and aloft, and appears to be coming up with us hand over fist.
Shall I sing out to the captain, sir?'

'No--I will myself. On deck, there!'

'Halloo; what do you see?' answered the captain.

'A full rigged brig, sir.'

'Where away?'

'Three points off our weather-bow.'

'How does she appear to be heading?'

'Direct for us, sir,' was the answer, and as it reached the ears of the
captain, he turned to the first officer, who stood beside him, and
said--