"I should say that it was a lantern on board the ship of the captain of the expedition, and is shown to enable the other two to keep near him.

I cannot say how far it is away, for I do not know at what height it hangs above the water; but I should imagine, from the feebleness of the light, that it must be some two miles distant." As soon as the light had been noticed, the slaves had been ordered to cease rowing, and they were now told that they would not be required again for fully two hours.

When the first gleam of dawn appeared in the east they were called to their work again.

The lantern was still burning, and, in a quarter of an hour, the knights on the poop were able, in the broadening light, to make out three shadowy forms some two miles ahead of them.

They decreased this distance by more than half before they could discern any signs of life or motion on board.