Two entire minutes passed, and no fourth gun was heard.

As second after second went by, the expression of the captain's countenance changed, and then he waved his hand in triumph.
"It's as it should be, gentlemen," he said.

"Take the prisoner below, Mr.Winchester.Unreeve the rope, and send that d--d grating off the gun.

Mr.Strand, pipe down." Raoul was immediately led below.

As he passed through the after-hatch, all the officers on the quarter-deck bowed to him, and not a man was there in the ship who did not feel the happier for the reprieve..