The more Tom tried to discover a familiar object to steer by, the more it seemed as though the land and everything else had been cut adrift, and emigrated to foreign parts.

Those who have been in a boat in a very dark night, or in a dense fog, will be able to appreciate the bewilderment of the skipper of the captured schooner.
"Look out, Tom, that you don't run us into some of those rebel batteries," said Hapgood, after he had watched the rapid progress of the boat for a few moments.

"A shot from a thirty-two pounder would be a pill we couldn't swallow." "No danger of that, Hapgood," answered Tom, confidently.
"I don't know about that, my boy," answered the veteran, in a tone heavy with dire anxiety.
"I know it.

The schooner was running with the wind on her starboard quarter when we boarded her.

We are now close-hauled, and of course we can't make the shore on the other side while we are on this tack." Well, I don't know much about it, Tom, but if you say its all right, I'm satisfied; that' all.