“To the south-west, did you say?” he asked in a respectful manner, believing that he had been mistaken.

“Yes, I said to the south-west!” repeated the commander, dryly:  “Do you not like this route?”

“Since you ask me the question, captain, I must confess that I do not.  I should have preferred running west for some time.”

“To what purpose? we should only lose another night.”

The commander spoke in a tone that did not permit of any contradiction, and Erik gave the order which he had received.  After all the captain was an experienced seaman in whom they might have perfect confidence.

Slight as was the change in her course, it sufficed to modify sensibly the sailing of the vessel.  The “Alaska” commenced to roll a great deal, and to dip her prow in the waves.  The log indicated fourteen knots, and as the wind was increasing, Erik thought it prudent to take a couple of reefs.

The doctor and Mr. Bredejord both became a prey to seasickness, and descended to their cabins.  The captain, who had for some time been pacing up and down the deck, soon followed their example.

He had hardly entered his own apartment when Erik stood before him.

“Captain,” said the young man, “I have heard suspicious noises, like waves breaking over rocks.  I feel conscientiously bound to tell you that in my opinion we are following a dangerous route.”

“Certainly, sir, you are gifted with tenaciousness,” cried the captain.  “What danger can you fear when we have this light at least three good miles, if not four, distant from us?”

And he impatiently with his finger pointed out their position upon the chart, which he had kept spread out upon his table.

Erik followed the direction of his finger, and he saw clearly that the island was surrounded by very deep waters.  Nothing could be more decisive and reassuring, in the eyes of a mariner.  But still he felt sure that it was not an illusion, those noises which he had heard, and which certainly were made by waves breaking upon a rocky shore very close to them.

It was a strange case, and Erik hardly liked to acknowledge it to himself, but it did not seem to him that he could recognize in this profile of the coast which lay spread out before his eyes the dangerous spot which he remembered in the same geographical studies which he had pursued.  But could he venture to oppose his dim impressions and vague remembrances against a chart of the British Admiralty?  Erik dared not do it.  These charts are made expressly to guard navigators against errors or any illusions of their memory.  He therefore bowed respectfully to his chief and returned to his position on deck.

He had scarcely reached it when he heard this cry resounding through the vessel, “Breakers on the starboard!” followed almost immediately by a second shout of “Breakers on the larboard!”

There was a loud whistle and a clattering of many feet followed by a series of effective maneuvers.  The “Alaska” slackened her course, and tried to back out.  The captain made a rush up the stairs.