ding his teeth, "it will
blow her off! That's my luck."

In the meantime, the smoke ascended in the air and the vessel approached
nearer and nearer, until she was within, I suppose, two miles of the
island, and then it fell quite calm. My companion threw more water on
to increase the smoke, and the vessel now hauling up her courses, I
perceived that there were people on board, and while I was arranging my
ideas as to what the vessel might be, my companion cried out--"They see
us, they see us! There's hope now. Confound it, I've been here long
enough. Hurrah for old England!" and he commenced dancing and capering
about like a madman. At last he said:

"Look out, and see if she sends a boat, while I go into the cabin."

"What's a boat?" said I.

"Out, you fool! Tell me if you see anything."

"Yes, I do see something," replied I. "Look at the squall coming along
the water, it will be here very soon; and see how thick the clouds are
getting up: we shall have as much wind and rain as we had the time
before last, when the birds came."

"Confound it," replied he, "I wish they'd lower a boat, at all events;"
and so saying, he went into the cabin, and I perceived that he was busy
at his bed-place.

My eyes were still fixed upon the squall, as I watched it advancing at a
furious speed on the surface of the water; at first it was a deep black
line on the horizon, but as it approached the vessel, changed to white;
the surface of the water was still smooth. The clouds were not more
than ten degrees above the horizon, although they were thick and opaque
but at this season of the year, these tornados, as I may call them,
visited us; sometimes we had one, sometimes more, and it was only when
these gusts came on that we had any rain below. On board of the
vessel--I speak now from my after knowledge--they did not appear to be
aware of the danger the sails were all set and flapping against the
masts. At last, I perceived a small object close to the vessel; this I
presumed was the boat which my companion looked for. It was like a
young vessel close to the old one, but I said nothing, as I was watching
and wondering what effect the rising wind would have upon her; for the
observations of my companion had made me feel that it was important.
After a time, I perceived that the white sails were disappearing, and
that the forms of men were very busy, and moving on board, and the boat
went back to the side of the vessel. The