THE REVENUE CUTTER The vision, indistinct in the gloom, was blotted out from me by the intervening sail.

It was only as I leaned well to one side that I could distinguish the dim outlines.

By that time we were almost upon it, and I could only sheer away to avoid collision.

It was hard to determine the nature of the vessel, the sides looming so close above us, but it was not the _Sea Gull_.

I was certain of that from the height of the rail, and the outline of a square foresail showing dimly against the sky.