"Oh, this is dreadful!"  I exclaimed.  "There must be some foul mischief going on somewhere not far off.  We must call up Mr Brand, and see what steps he will think fit to take."  I went and roused him up, and told him of the strange sounds we had heard.  Both he and the doctor were soon on deck.  At first he laughed at our description of the sounds we had heard; but after he had listened a little time, another long, deep-drawn wail came wafted across the ocean.