“I do not like his manner of steering!” observed the Skimmer to the silent and attentive Ludlow.  “He yaws broadly, as if disposed to give up the search.  God grant him the heart to continue on his course ten minutes longer!”

“Have we no means of making ourselves heard?” demanded the Alderman.  “Methinks the voice of a strong man might be sent thus far across the water when life is the stake.”

The more experienced shook their heads; but, not discouraged, the burgher raised his voice with a power that was sustained by the imminency of the peril.  He was joined by the seamen, and even Ludlow lent his aid, until all were hoarse with the fruitless efforts.  Men were evidently aloft, and in some numbers, searching the ocean with their eyes, but still no answering signal came from the vessel.

The ship continued to approach, and the raft was less than half a mile from her bows, when the vast fabric suddenly receded from the breeze, showed the whole of its glittering broadside, and, swinging its yards, betrayed by its new position that the search in that direction was abandoned.  The instant Ludlow saw the filling-off of the frigate’s bows, he cried—­

“Now, raise your voices together;—­this is the final chance!”

They united in a common shout, with the exception of the ’Skimmer of the Seas.’  The latter leaned against the top with folded arms, listening to their impotent efforts with a melancholy smile.

“It is well attempted,” said the calm and extraordinary seaman when the clamor had ceased, advancing along the raft and motioning for all to be silent; “but it has failed.  The swinging of the yards, and the orders given in waring ship, would prevent a stronger sound from being audible to men so actively employed.  I flatter none with hope, but this is truly the moment for a final effort.”

He placed his hands to his mouth, and, disregarding words, he raised a cry so clear, so powerful, and yet so full, that it seemed impossible those in the vessel should not hear.  Thrice did he repeat the experiment, though it was evident that each successive exertion was feebler than the last.

“They hear!” cried Alida.  “There is a movement in the sails!”

“’Tis the beeeze freshening;” answered Ludlow in sadness, at her side.  “Each moment takes them away!”

The melancholy truth was too apparent for denial, and for half an hour the retiring ship was watched in the bitterness of disappointment.  At the end of that time, she fired a gun, spread additional canvas on her wide booms, and stood away before the wind, to join her consort, whose upper sails were already dipping to the surface of the sea, in the southern board.  With this change in her movements, vanished all expectation of succor from the cruiser of the enemy.