He could see nothing, for the lantern had been placed in a bucket the moment that he touched the deck.

At this moment a hail came from the stern of the vessel, and Ralph's fears were at once realized, for it was in French.

The reply was in the same tongue, and he was led aft.

"Take him down below, Jacques, and let's see what he is like.

We have suffered no damage, I hope ?" "Not as far as I could see by the light of the lantern, but the carpenter has gone below to see if she is making water." The captain led the way down into the cabin.