If the thing were possible, I intended to get Bertha on board the Sparhawk, where there was hope that we could all remain safely until we were rescued.  With this purpose in view, the moment Mary Phillips disappeared, I went below and prepared the captain’s cabin for Bertha and her maid.  I carried to the forward part of the vessel all the pipes, bottles, and glasses, and such other things as were not suitable for a lady’s apartment, and thoroughly aired the cabin, making it as neat and comfortable as circumstances permitted.  The very thought of offering hospitality to Bertha was a joy.

I proposed to myself several plans to be used in various contingencies.  If the two vessels approached near enough, I would throw a line to La Fidelite, and Mary Phillips would make it fast, I knew.  Then with a windlass I might draw the two vessels together.  Then I would spring on board the steamer, and when I had transferred Bertha and Mary to the Sparhawk, would cut loose La Fidelite to drift where she pleased.

It was possible that I might convey from one vessel to the other some articles of luxury or necessity, but on this point I would not come to any definite conclusion.  I would consult Mary Phillips on the subject.

Another plan was that if we did not approach very close, I would endeavor to throw a long, light line to the steamer, and Mary Phillips would attach it to the boat which hung from the davits.  Into this she would put a pair of oars and lower it as well as she could; then I would haul it to the Sparhawk, row over to the steamer, and transfer Bertha and Mary to my vessel.  It was possible that we should not have to be very near each other for me to carry out this plan.  Had I been a seaman, I might have thought of some other plan better than these.  But I was not a seaman.

I did not waste any time in the cabin, although I was very desirous to make it as pleasant as possible for the reception of Bertha, but when I returned to the deck I was astonished to find that the steamer was farther away than it had been when I went below.  There was a slight breeze from the east, which had nearly turned the Sparhawk about with her bow to the wind, but was gently carrying La Fidelite before it.

I seized the speaking-trumpet, and with all my power, hailed the steamer; and in return there came to me a single sound, the sound of the vowel O. I could see two handkerchiefs fluttering upon the stern.  In ten minutes these were scarcely discernible.

Half-crazed, I stood and gazed, and gazed, and gazed at the distant steamer.  The wind died away, and I could perceive that she was not becoming more distant.  Then I began to hope.  Another wind might spring up which would bring her back.

And in an hour or two the other wind did spring up; I felt it in my face, and slowly the Sparhawk turned her bow toward it, and, enrapturing sight! the steamer, with my Bertha on board, began to move slowly back to me!  The wind which was now blowing came from the southwest, and La Fidelite, which before had lain to the southward of the Sparhawk, was passing to the north of my vessel.  Nearer and nearer she came, and my whole soul was engaged in the hope that she might not pass too far north.