Let us be more patient than they were, and place our trust-- What is that upon the water to leeward?
A piece of wood floating ?" Welch stood up and looked.

"Can't make it out.

Steer alongside it, miss, if you please." And he crept forward.
Presently he became excited, and directed those in the stern how to steer the boat close to the object without going over it.

He begged them all to be silent.

He leaned over the boat side as they neared it.