In the meantime, Margot was examining the point of rocks behind which the “Baleine” was hidden. “Father,” she asked at last, “have they caught something?” “They?” he cried. “Nothing at all.” He calmed himself and added more gently, seeing the Emperor, who was sneering at him: “I do not know whether they have caught anything, but as they never do catch anything--” “Perhaps, to-day, all the same, they have taken something,” said the Emperor ill-naturedly. “Such things have been seen.” La Queue was about to reply angrily. But the Abbé Radiguet, who came up, calmed him. From the porch of the church the abbé had happened to observe the “Baleine”; and the bark seemed to be giving chase to some big fish. This news greatly interested Coqueville. In the groups reunited on the shore there were Mahés and Floches, the former praying that the boat might come in with a miraculous catch, the others making vows that it might come in empty. Margot, holding herself very straight, did not take her eyes from the sea. “There they are!” said she simply. And in fact a black dot showed itself beyond the point. All looked at it. One would have said a cork dancing on the water. The Emperor did not see even the black dot. One must be of Coqueville to recognize at that distance the “Baleine” and those who manned her. “See!” said Margot, who had the best eyes of the coast, “it is Fouasse and Rouget who are rowing--The little one is standing up in the bow.” She called Delphin “the little one” so as not to mention his name. And from then on they followed the course of the bark, trying to account for her strange movements. As the curé said, she appeared to be giving chase to some great fish that might be fleeing before her. That seemed extraordinary. The Emperor pretended that their net was without doubt being carried away. But La Queue cried that they were do-nothings, and that they were just amusing themselves. Quite certain they were not fishing for seals! All the Floches made merry over that joke; while the Mahés, vexed, declared that Rouget was a fine fellow all the same, and that he was risking his skin while others at the least puff of wind preferred _terra firma_. The Abbé Radiguet was forced to interpose again for there were slaps in the air.