The Death Ship, Volume I by W. Clark Russell

Now I might have stood thus for ten minutes, when I was awakened from my dream by an eager feverish muttering of voices forward, and on a sudden the harsh notes of a seaman belonging to my watch cried out, "D'ye see that sail, right broad a-beam, sir?"

I sprang from my leaning posture, and peered, but my eyes were heavy; the night was dark, and whilst I stared several of the sailors came hurriedly aft to where I stood, and said, all speaking together, "There -- see her, sir? Look yonder, Mr. Fenton! " and their arms, to a man, shot out to point, as if every one levelled a pistol.