I noticed _that_ when we fell in with her in the Canal of Piombino; and seeing it again, could not but know it.

But there's no mistaking the saucy Folly, for them that has once seen her; and I am certain we made her out, about four leagues to the southward of the cape, at the time I first signalled." "Four leagues!--I had though she must be at least eight or ten, and kept off that distance, to get her in the net.

Why did you not let us know her distance ?" "Had no signals for that, Captain Cuffe." "Well, then, why not send a boat to tell us the fact ?" "Had no orders, sir.

Was told by Mr.Winchester just to signal the lugger and her bearings; and this, you must own, Captain Cuffe, we did plain enough.

Besides, sir--" "Well; besides _what_ ?" demanded the captain, observing that the master's-mate hesitated.
"Why, sir, how was I to know that any one in the ship would think a lugger _could_ be seen eight or ten leagues?
That's a long bit of water, sir; and it would take a heavy ship's spars to rise high enough for such a sight." "The land you were on, Clinch, was much loftier than any vessel's spars." "Quite true, sir; but not lofty enough for that, Captain Cuffe.