"About two points on the starboard bow, and a matter of eight or ten mile off, I should say, sir," was the reply. "Mr Forbes," said I to the mate, who, the watch having just been called, at this moment came on deck from his cabin, "take the glass aloft, and see what you can make of this new wonder, if you please." Forbes went to the companion, took the telescope out of the beckets, slung it over his shoulders, and leisurely ascended the fore-rigging until he reached the topmast cross-trees, in which he comfortably settled himself preparatory to a careful inspection of the object. Meanwhile, the other man maintained his position on the main-royal yard. "Now then, Joe, where do you say this precious `something' of yours is?" inquired the mate as he unslung the telescope and proceeded to adjust it for use. "There it is, sir," answered the man, pointing; "about a couple of points on the starboard bow. I don't know as you'll be able to see it from down there, Mr Forbes, but it's plain enough--" "All right; I see it," interrupted Forbes; and he forthwith raised the telescope to his eye, taking a prolonged and exhaustive look through it. At length, lowering the instrument, he turned in his seat, and, looking down upon me where I now stood, just forward of the mainmast, hailed-- "Joe is quite right, sir. There certainly _is_ something out there, but it is fully twelve miles away, and it looks uncommonly like a boat with a mast stepped and a sail hoisted, or a signal flying.--I can't quite make out which--and I even fancy I can catch an occasional glimpse of people moving about in her; but she wavers so much in the glass that I can't be at all sure about it." "Very well; just keep your eye on her for a moment," I answered back, "and let me know when she bears straight ahead. It will not take us much out of our way to give her an overhaul, and it is as well to make quite sure in such cases as this. Man your braces, fore and aft, the starboard watch; larboard watch, go to work and get in the larboard stu'n'sails. Port your helm a trifle,"--to the man at the wheel. "Round-in a foot or two upon the larboard braces!" As these manoeuvres were executed, the barque's bows slowly inclined to the eastward, and presently Forbes hailed from his lofty perch-- "S-o, stead-y! Whatever she may be, she is now dead on end to a hair's breadth." "How is her head?" I shouted to the man at the wheel. The fellow peered into the binnacle, and answered-- "North-east-and-by-east, three-quarters east." "Is the boat--or whatever it is--still straight ahead, Mr Forbes?" I inquired. "Straight to a hair, sir," came the reply. "Then keep her at that," I called to the helmsman. "Well there with the braces; belay! Overhaul the main clew-garnets and get the sheet aft. Roll up the awning aft here, some of you, and haul out the mizzen; then jump aloft, one hand, and loose the gaff-topsail."