My story will be accepted, for there is no one left to contradict me." As he spoke, Dantes looked toward the spot where the fishing-vessel had been wrecked, and started.

The red cap of one of the sailors hung to a point of the rock and some timbers that had formed part of the vessel's keel, floated at the foot of the crag.

In an instant Dantes' plan was formed.

He swam to the cap, placed it on his head, seized one of the timbers, and struck out so as to cut across the course the vessel was taking.
"I am saved!" murmured he.

And this conviction restored his strength.
He soon saw that the vessel, with the wind dead ahead, was tacking between the Chateau d'If and the tower of Planier.