"And east and by south, half south it is!" answered Jones exultantly. "Which means, sir, that we've head-reached on the brig to the extent of half a p'int within this last hour, and that, too, in a breeze and a sea so heavy that the brig ought to walk away from us hand over hand.  Well, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself; but seein' is believin', I have heard say.  And more than that," he continued, taking up the glass and levelling it at the _Dona Inez_, "I'm blest if I don't believe as we're weatherin' on her too.  Take this glass, Mr Grenvile, and tell me whether you don't think as we've drawed up a bit closer to the commodore since eight bells struck."