Before doing so, however, I picked up an oar--I knew not why.

I then followed my dog down to the beach, wondering what could possibly have caused him to make such a fuss.

The sea was somewhat agitated, and as it was not yet very light, I could not clearly distinguish things in the distance.
On peering seawards for the third or fourth time, however, I fancied I could make out a long, black object, which I concluded must be some kind of a boat, tossing up and down on the billows.

Then I must confess I began to share Bruno's excitement,--particularly when a few minutes later I discerned a well-made catamaran, _with several human figures lying prostrate upon it_!.