"Hogan, go dip that flag on the jury
mast--wiggle it up and down--let 'em know something is wrong--make 'em
think we have the rickets if nothing else."
Two men ran off with Hogan to the forward bridge; the others stared,
waved, shouted and let their excitement bubble down.
"But I don't understand a sailing vessel in these waters," speculated
Leonard.
"Maybe it's a derelick?" surmised Galton. "I've 'card as 'ow this was a
great place for derelicks."
"'Ow could she be a derelick," argued Mulcher, "w'en she 'as so much
canvas aloft? You run up on derelicks an' git sunk, ever' cove knows
that."
"I carn't think of hall these things at once!" retorted Galton.
"Perhaps she ees the _Vulcan_ under sail with deesabled engines?"
suggested Deschaillon.
This explanation was accepted unanimously and joy broke out afresh.
"Why sure, th' _Vulcan_, th' good old _Vulcan_! Now, lads,
let's give three cheers and maybe it'll reach 'er!"
Madden left the men trying to reach her with their bellows and went
below after the mate's binoculars. When he returned the sun had swung up
above the rim of the ocean and the sail was plainly discernible. He
leveled his glasses and his eyes went searching among the distant
markings of seaweed, until it finally rested on the sail.
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