"No swimmer that ever lived could have got to her, nor any boat either! There was a terrific surf on the bar." "Of course not," assented Maddalena.

"But you saw the ship, too ?" "Yes.

Aurora was looking at her when I reached the gap.

That is why I noticed the vessel," Corbario added, as if by an afterthought.

"She was a Sicilian brigantine, and was carrying hardly any sail.