"If it is the _Nelson_" said Jack, "it would be a singular encounter."
"_The Nelson_!" sighed Willis, "in the latitude of Hawai; no, that is
impossible."
"She is bearing down upon us," said Fritz.
"Just let me see a moment whether I can make out her figure-head,"
said Willis. "Aye, aye!"
"Can you make it out?"
"No; but, from the sheer of the hull, I think the ship is British
built."
"Thank God!" exclaimed both the young men.
"Yes, you may say 'Thank God;' but, if it turns out to be a
man-of-war, I must report myself on board, and I doubt whether my
story will go down with the captain."
"But if it is the _Nelson_?" insisted Jack.
"Aye, aye; the _Nelson_," replied Willis, "is not going to turn up
here to oblige us, you may take my word for that."
"I have better eyes than you, Willis; just let me see if I can make
her out. No, impossible; nothing but the hull and sails."
"It is just possible," persisted Jack, "that the _Nelson_ may have
been detained at the Cape, and afterwards blown out of her course like
ourselves."
"All I can say is," replied Willis, "that if Captain Littlestone be on
board that ship, it will make me the happiest man that ever mixed a
ration of grog. But these things only turn up in novels, so it is no
use talking."
"She has hoisted a flag at the mizzen," cried Fritz.
Pages:
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372