It was about ten o'clock at night when he made a sharp, decisive movement, and a look of satisfaction came over his face.

He had been gazing into the west and the lad felt sure that he had seen there that for which he was seeking, but his own eyes, without artificial help, were not yet able to tell him what it was.
The captain called the mate, speaking to him briefly and rapidly, and the sullen face of the Spaniard became alive.

An order to the steersman and the course of the schooner was shifted more toward the west.

It was evident to Robert that they were not running away from whatever it was out there.

The slaver for the first time in a long while took notice of Robert.
"There's another craft in the west, Peter," he said, "and we must have a look at her.