TWO DAYS AT SEA 1I5

interest? Does he only desire to profit by the inven-
tion? That isa third question which I cannot yet answer.
_ By watching closely and listening attentively, I may
resolve it before I am able to escape; that is, if escape
be possible.

The £40a continues to progress in the same unaccount-
able way. I am free to move. backwards and forwards on
the main deck, but Iam never allowed to approach the
fore part of the ship.

In fact, once or twice I wanted to reach the step of the
bowsprit, where, by leaning forward, I might have seen
the stem of the schooner cleave the water, But, evidently
in consequence of orders already given, the sailors of the
watch opposed my passage, and one of them said roughly
in English,—

“Back! back! You hinder the machine! ”

What machine? Thereis none. Did they know I wanted
to find out what kindof propeller the schoonerhad? Captain
Spade, who was a witness of this scene, must surely guess _
that I want to discover his method of navigation.

Even a hospital attendant could not help being much
astonished that a ship without sails or screw should go at
such a rate. However, for some reason or other the fore
part of the deck was forbidden me.

Towards ten o’clock the wind rose—a favourable breeze
from the north-west—and the captain gave his instructions
to the boatswain Effrondat.

Then the latter, with the whistle to his lips, made the
crew haul up the spanker, the foresail and the jibs.

I 2