n, and you will be right," cried Mr Brymer. "Go and lie down if
you like, gentlemen; but look yonder too; there is a fleck of orange
high up. For my part, I propose a good breakfast."

"No, no, you cannot be right," said Mr Frewen, from the main-deck; "but
we'll take our watch now. Mr Denning, will you and your sister go and
take yours below?"

"No, not yet," said Mr Denning.

"Then I must speak as the medical man, and give my patient orders. You
ought both to have some sleep now."

"Wonderful!" cried Mr Preddle, excitedly. For, with the wondrous
rapidity of change from night to day so familiar in the tropics, the
morning broke without any of the gradations of dawn and twilight. There
was a brilliant glow of red, which, as we gazed at it, became gold; and
then, dazzling in its brightness, the edge of the sun appeared above the
gleaming water, still and smooth as ever; then higher and higher,
sending its rays across the vast level, and turning all to gold. It was
between us and the sun now one broad patch of light, but not quite all
golden glory, for as I looked right away from the poop-deck, with that
indescribable feeling of joy in my breast which comes when the darkness
of night and its horrors give place to the life and light of day, I felt
a strange contraction about my heart--a curious shrinking sensation of
dread.

For, far away on that gleaming path of gold, I could plainly see a
couple of black specks. Half-stifled with emotion, I caught at Mr
Brymer's arm, and pointed as I looked in his face, and tried to speak,
but no words would come.

I must have pointed widely, for he turned quickly, looked in the
direction indicated by my finger, and then clapped me on the shoulder.

"Why, Dale, my lad, what's the matter?" he said. "Did you see a whale?"

At that moment Barney shouted from where he stood forward, unseen for
the mist of dimly illuminated steam which lay between us, though his
voice was plainly heard, and sent a thrill through all who heard--

"Boat-ho! Two on 'em astarn."

"Ay, ay!" roared Bob Hampton in a voice of thunder, "lying doo east.
It's Frenchy and his gang come back."

For a few seconds there was a dead silence, and no one stirred. Then,
as if electrified, I ran half-way down the ladder, and leaped the rest
of the way, dashed through the saloon to Mr Brymer's cabin, seized his
glass, and ran back with it and up on to the poop-deck.

He gave me a quick look which seemed to