It was about the size of a beehive, and was shaped like one.

It made a straight line for the aft of the yacht.

At the same moment, in obedience to some command, given so quietly that I did not hear it, the men went below--all save some few, who began to open out doors in the port side of the wheel-house.

The tackle was run out through an opened gangway on that side, and a man stood on the great hook at the lower end, balancing himself by hanging on the chain.

In a few seconds he came up again.