noticed that only three seamen remained, together with the captain and first officer. "You may remain with us," said the captain, addressing Ralph and Alfred. This was, indeed, a compliment to them, which was appreciated. "I know father, mother and auntie are all right," said Alfred. "Do you think they saw us get off?" he added anxiously. "They were standing by when you jumped, but when the ship made the last lurch, just before she went down the seamen knew that they must pull away to avoid being sucked under. It might have been too dark for them actually to have seen you get away, at the distance they were from the ship, [Pg 40]but I don't think they will expect to see us before morning." [Pg 40] "Why, do you intend to stay here all night?" asked Ralph. "No, but each boat crew has had instructions to make for the nearest port, as rapidly as possible," replied the captain. "Where are we now?" asked Alfred. "In the Bay of Biscay, about one hundred and fifty miles from the nearest land," answered the captain. "How long will it take us to reach land?" asked Ralph. "Possibly two days, or more; that depends on the weather and the conditions in the bay. This is the most turbulent body of water anywhere on the Atlantic coast line, but it has been remarkably smooth during the past twenty-four hours," answered the captain. "What is the name of the place that we are heading for?" asked Ralph. "St. Nazaire; a French town at the mouth of the river Loire," was the reply. It was now quite dark, and a haze prevented the occupants of the boat from making any observation of the stars, hence the sailing, or rather, the rowing, had to be conducted by compass entirely, the order being given by the captain to steer east by north, a term which indicates that the course was exactly two points north of a line running due east and west. Three miles an hour at the outside, would be [Pg 41]considered good speed. Sails would have been useless without a wind, and there was not the slightest breeze, but about midnight there was
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