With the natural
haughtiness of his savage nature, he therefore rejected
the overtures of the sailor, whose hand he had observed
among the first that were raised against him.
While the angry boatswain was yet rolling his quid within
his capacious jaws, racking his brain for the strongest
language wherein to give vent to his indignation, his
ears were suddenly saluted by a low but clear "Hilloa!"
from the bows of the schooner.
"Ay, ay!" was the brief response.
"There's something approaching us ahead, on the weather
fore quarter," continued the same voice, which was that
of the man on the look-out.
The most profound silence now pervaded the deck. Every
individual, including Captain de Haldimar and the boatswain,
had flown to the gangway of the quarter indicated, which
was on the side occupied by the couch of the unfortunate
Clara. Presently a noise like that produced by a single
paddle rapidly dividing the water, was heard by every
anxious ear. Night had long since thrown her mantle over
the surrounding waste; and all that was to be seen
reflected from the bosom of the gradually darkening river,
scarcely ruffled by the yet incipient breeze, were a few
straggling stars, that here and there appeared in the
overcast heavens.
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