d see Jackson's head bob up for an instant; but as
we gazed down he was drifted rapidly astern and quickly lost to sight in
the trough of the waves.

The hubbub, however, only lasted an instant; for almost as soon as the
mate's shout had been heard aft, Captain Miles's voice rang through the
vessel in brief words of command, sharp and to the point.

"Stand by, men," he cried. "Hands 'bout ship!"

The crew at once jumped toward the braces, singing out "Ready, aye,
ready," as they cast them off, some going to the lee-sheets to haul in
there.

"Helm's a-lee!" then came from aft, followed by the orders "Tacks and
sheets!" and "Mainsail haul!" when, the _Josephine's_ bows paying off
under the influence of the tacked head-sails, the yards were swung round
in a trice; and, within less than five minutes the vessel was retracing
the same track she had just gone over in quest of the missing man.

A man was sent up in the foretop, while Captain Miles himself ran up the
ratlines of the mizzen shrouds to look out; and, at the same time,
preparations were made for lowering the gig, which fortunately was still
slung from the davits astern, not having been yet housed inboard with
the other boats amidships--that being the next job the captain intended
seeing to after the anchors were got in.

I, of course, was as much excited as anyone, and remained on the
forecastle, looking out eagerly for any sign of Jackson, although I
could not see him anywhere. I believe I was so confused with the ship
having gone round on the opposite tack, in order to go back on her
course, that I hardly knew in which direction to look for the
unfortunate man, for what had before been ahead of the ship was now
necessarily astern from her reversing her position.

In another minute, however, the look out in the foretop discerned
Jackson, and he hailed the deck at once.

"There he is! there he is!" he sang out.

"Where?" cried Captain Miles impatiently.

"About four cables' length off the weather bow. I can see his head
quite clear above the wash of the sea; and he seems swimming towards
us."

"All right then, keep your eye on him, so as to pilot us! Mr Marline,"
continued Captain Miles, "lower the boat at once with four hands; we
can't go close enough without it to the poor fellow, for we are to
leeward of him."

"Aye, aye, sir," replied the chief mate, who had gone aft and was seeing
to the falls of the boat; which presently, with himself in th