Being toward noon, the wind was fast leaving us, and, by the time the breakers were roaring on either hand, little more than steerage-way was left.

But on we glided--smoothly and deftly; avoiding the green, darkling objects here and there strewn in our path; Jermin occasionally looking down in the water, and then about him, with the utmost calmness, and not a word spoken.

Just fanned along thus, it was not many minutes ere we were past all danger, and floated into the placid basin within.

This was the cleverest specimen of his seamanship that he ever gave us.
As we held on toward the frigate and shipping, a canoe, coming out from among them, approached.

In it were a boy and an old man--both islanders; the former nearly naked, and the latter dressed in an old naval frock-coat.