circumstances. And they continued to sit around the table with their
arms laid on its top and their heads buried In them, waiting for--
what? Who could tell?

Meanwhile the ship was borne swiftly on by wind and wave--whither?
None of these frightened women knew.

Eight bells struck--twelve, midnight; and Ishmael renewed his
entreaties that they would take some repose. But in vain; for they
declared that there could be no repose for their bodies while their
minds were suffering such intense anxiety.

One bell struck, and there they sat; two bells, and there they still
sat; and there was but little conversation after this. Three bells
struck, and they sat on, so motionless that Ishmael hoped they had
fallen asleep on their watch and he refrained from addressing them.
Four bells struck. It was two o'clock in the morning, and dead
silence reigned in the ladies' cabin. Everyone except Ishmael had
gone to sleep.

Suddenly through the stillness a cry rang--a joyous cry. It was the
voice of the man on the lookout, and it shouted forth:

"Land ho!"

"Where away?" called another voice.

"On her lee bow!"

"What do you make of it?"