The principal's theory was thus far vindicated.
The starboard watch piped to breakfast, when the sail was discovered, too far off to make her out.

The boys all manifested a deep interest in the distant wanderer on the tempestuous sea, mingled with a desire to know how the stranger had weathered the gale.

Many of them went up the shrouds into the tops, and the spy-glasses were in great demand.
"Do you make her out, Captain Gordon ?" asked Mr.Fluxion, as he came up from his breakfast, and discovered the commander watching the stranger through the glass.
"Yes, sir; I can just make her out now.

Her foremast and mainmast have gone by the board, and she has the ensign, union down, hoisted at her mizzen," replied the captain, with no little excitement in his manner.
"Indeed!" exclaimed the teacher of mathematics, as he took the glass.
"You are right, Captain Gordon, and you had better keep her away." "Shall I speak to Mr.Lowington first, sir ?" asked the captain.
"I think there is no need of it in the present instance.

There can be no doubt what he will do when a ship is in distress." "Mr.Kendall, keep her away two points," said the captain to the officer of the deck.