But throughout all its hours, the wind continued to blow steadily from the same quarter; and the spread tarpaulin, thick and strong, caught every puff of it acting admirably.

It was, in fact, as much canvas as the pinnace could well have carried on such a rough sea-breeze, and served as a storm-try sail to run her before the wind.
Captain Redwood himself held charge of the tiller; and all were cheered with the fine speed they were making--their spirits rising in proportion to the distance passed over.

Before daylight came to add to their cheerfulness, they must have made nearly a hundred miles; but ere the day broke, a sound fell upon their ears that caused a commotion among them--to all giving joy.

It came swelling over the dark surface of the deep, louder than the rush of the water or the whistling of the wind.
It resembled a human voice; and although like one speaking in agony, they heard it with joy.

There was hope in the proximity of human beings, for though these might be in trouble like themselves, they could not be in so bad a state.