But at this point this interesting conversation was abruptly terminated by a loud cry from Tom. His eyes were fixed upon the sea, and were fascinated by something there. “A sail! a sail!” he cried. “A sail! O, a sail! Look, look, look!” Arthur and Bailey sprang to their feet, and looked in the direction where Tom was pointing. Tom seized the spy-glass, wrhich they had brought into the den, and examined more closely, while Arthur and Bailey watched the distant sea. And there, on the distant sea, several miles away, a sail appeared, unmistakably. It was a schooner, and she was not more than five miles away. “She’s heading away from us,” said Tom; “she’s going away, out to sea.” “Don’t be too hasty,” said Bailey; “she may p’raps be only beatin up agin this here wrind. It’s a head wind for her.” “I wish it may turn out so,” said Tom. They now watched in silence for some time longer. The schooner held on her way steadily. At length she tacked, and, wearing round, headed towards the shore. “I knowed it!” said Bailey, triumphantly. “She’s a coastin along, and is beatin up agin the wind. Just hand us that there glass for a minute, if you please, and let us git a squint at her.” Tom handed the glass to Bailey, who took it, and looked at the schooner long and carefully. At length he returned it to Tom. “It’s a fisher,” said he; “a Yankee fisher. I knows the cut of her jib; there’s no mistakin her. You don’t find any of yer Province fishermen git up such a turnout as that there. Why, she’s a cross between the best class of Liverpool pilot-boat and a nobleman’s yacht; and I don’t believe there’s a pilot-boat or a yacht afloat that can lick that there fisherman in a fair race.” Arthur now took the glass, and looked at her long and earnestly. “I say, Tom,” said he. “What?” “Do you know what I’m thinking?” “I dare say it’s the very thought that I had.” “What? The Fawn?” “The very thing.” “Of course it’s all nonsense. I suppose all the Yankee fishermen, or, at any rate, a great many, are just like the Fawn; but, at any rate, wouldn’t it be fun if it should turn out to be her?” “Well, it’s too much to hope for,” said Tom; “it’ll be fun enough for me if she only takes us off--if she only sees us. Hadn’t we better pile on more fuel, Bailey?” “No; ’tain’t no use. The fire’s makin as much smoke as it can, an that’s the best thing by daytime. If that there vessel’s beatin up the coast, she’s bound to see us on the next tack, if she don’t see us now; and it’ll only take three more tacks to bring her right opposite--Hallo!” An abrupt exclamation terminated Bailey’s remarks. He seized the glass without a word of apology, and took a hasty glance. “They’re a histin an a lowerin of the flag! They’re a signalizing, as sure as I’m a born sinner! and to us! Hooray!”