"Good gracious, man, no, surely not!"  I ejaculated.  "What in the world should they do such a mad thing as that for?  What effect would two, or even three, boats have on a big heavy ship like that?  They could never hope to tow her below the horizon and out of sight of us before the wind comes; and, if not, why should they tire themselves to death by making such an attempt?  I admit that it is rather strange that her head should point so steadily in one direction while we are boxing the compass; but she probably draws twice as much water as we do, and that may have something to do with it."