If it's a wicked ship over there we'll just show her the fastest pair of heels in the West Indies." He did not speak again for a full quarter of an hour, but he used the glasses often, always looking at the same spot on the western horizon.
Robert was at last able to see a black dot there with his unassisted eyes, and he knew that it must be a ship.
"She's going almost due south," said the captain, "and in two hours we should overhaul her." "Why do you wish to overhaul her ?" asked Robert.
"She may be a privateer, a Frenchman, or even a pirate, and if so we must give the alarm to other peaceful craft like ourselves in these waters." He raised the glasses again and did not take them down for a full five minutes.

Meantime the strange ship came nearer.

It was evident to Robert that the two vessels were going down the sides of a triangle, and if each continued on its course they would meet at the point.
The night was steadily growing brighter.

The moon was at its fullest, and troops of new stars were coming out.

Robert saw almost as well as by day.