' The latter leaned against the top with folded arms, listening to
their impotent efforts with a melancholy smile.
"It is well attempted," said the calm and extraordinary seaman when the
clamor had ceased, advancing along the raft and motioning for all to be
silent; "but it has failed. The swinging of the yards, and the orders
given in waring ship, would prevent a stronger sound from being audible to
men so actively employed. I flatter none with hope, but this is truly the
moment for a final effort."
He placed his hands to his mouth, and, disregarding words, he raised a cry
so clear, so powerful, and yet so full, that it seemed impossible those in
the vessel should not hear. Thrice did he repeat the experiment, though it
was evident that each successive exertion was feebler than the last.
"They hear!" cried Alida. "There is a movement in the sails!"
"'Tis the beeeze freshening;" answered Ludlow in sadness, at her side.
"Each moment takes them away!"
The melancholy truth was too apparent for denial, and for half an hour the
retiring ship was watched in the bitterness of disappointment. At the end
of that time, she fired a gun, spread additional canvas on her wide booms,
and stood away before the wind, to join her consort, whose upper sails
were already dipping to the surface of the sea, in the southern board.
With this change in her movements, vanished all expectation of succor from
the cruiser of the enemy.
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