Gervaise at once ascended to the lookout, by the ladder that was fixed against the post.
"They are making to the left of the course we are taking.

Turn her head rather more to the west.

That will do.

They are directly ahead now." He then came down to the deck again.

"I would that we had seven or eight more hours of daylight, Ralph, instead of but three at the outside.
However, as we know the course they are taking, we are not likely to miss them, for as we shall not be near enough for them to make us out before the sun sets, there will be no chance of their changing it.