where some small clouds were rising up and which were, as I knew from
experience and constantly watching the sky, a sign of a short but
violent gale, or tornado, of which we usually had one, if not two, at
this season of the year.

"Yes; confound it," replied my companion, grinding his teeth, "it
will blow her off! That's my luck."

In the meantime, the smoke ascended in the air and the vessel
approached nearer and nearer, until she was within, I suppose, two
miles of the island, and then it fell quite calm. My companion threw
more water on to increase the smoke, and the vessel now hauling up
her courses, I perceived that there were people on board, and while I
was arranging my ideas as to what the vessel might be, my companion
cried out--"They see us, they see us! there's hope now. Confound it,
I've been here long enough. Hurrah for old England!" and he commenced
dancing and capering about like a madman. At last he said,

"Look out and see if she sends a boat, while I go into the cabin."

"What's a boat?" said I.

"Out, you fool! tell me if you see anything,"

"Yes, I do see something," replied I. "Look at the squall coming
along the water, it will be here very soon; and see how thick the
clouds are getting up: we shall have as much wind and rain as we had
the time before last, when the birds came."

"Confound it," replied he, "I wish they'd lower a boat, at all