“Very true: I think they would be likely to discharge their guns more frequently than this,” added Mr. Primback, looking wise. “You feel confident that the guns are from a ship in distress?” “I feel reasonably sure of it, sir.” “Then I suppose it is quite proper to go to her assistance,” said the professor, with an inquiring look at the young commander. “Entirely proper, Mr. Primback.” “I am sorry that some other vessel does not have this duty imposed upon it. Nevertheless, as the sea is very stormy, and the violence of the motion does not permit the conducting of the regular recitations, I dare say that no great loss of time will result from this deviation from the true course of the vessel.” “I should say not, sir,” added the captain. “Have you consulted with Mr. Marline, in the unfortunate absence at this time of Mr. Pelham?” “I have not done so, sir. Mr. Marline turned in, and”-- “Did what? Do me the favor to speak the English language when you address me,” interposed the professor, who could not tolerate even the mildest of nautical terms. “He went to bed, sir.” “Ah, he retired?” “Yes, sir: he turned in when”-- “Retired, if you please.” “Yes, sir: he retired from the deck when I did; and I have not seen him since the signal-guns were reported to me.” “Mr. Marline is a prudent mariner; and I request that you confer with him before any decided steps are taken.” “But I have taken the decided step already; for I have hauled her up”-- “How can that be when the vessel is far out of sight of the land? You speak in enigmas,” interrupted Mr. Primback. “We braced her up”-- “In English, sir,” said the professor rather sternly. “I don’t know that I can describe nautical manœuvres in any other than nautical language,” said Wainwright. “We were going with the wind free before, sir”-- “The wind is always free, Wainwright: no one can control it.” “Well, sir, I caused the schooner to be turned so that she is headed as near as she can go in the direction from which the wind comes.” “That is quite intelligible. I thank you.” “The vessel is now headed as near as can be towards the ship in distress. If you wish me to speak to Mr. Marline I will do so, sir; but I think it is better to let him sleep, after being on deck as he was all night.” “He must be somewhat fatigued; and you may wait till he gets up from his bed.” Wainwright withdrew from the cabin of the professor, and went on deck again. It was still too thick to make out the vessel in distress; and, when he had directed the first lieutenant to call him if occasion should require, he went to his state-room to obtain the rest he needed.