Well, we shall see in another half hour."
CHAPTER V.
THE BRITISH CRUISERS.
An hour passed. During this time the watchers on the hill saw that the
brig had been lying alongside the three-masted vessel, and felt sure
that the cargo was being transferred, then the merchantman's sails
were hoisted, and she slowly sailed away. For another hour the other
two crafts lay motionless, then they hoisted sail and headed for the
island. There was a brisk, steady wind blowing, and they came along
fast through the water.
"We shall soon see now whether your frigate has made them out,"
Jacques said; "but I will not wait any longer but will go and tell the
captain what is going on. In another hour the others will be up here
to relieve you, then you can bring down the latest news."
Left alone, Ralph watched anxiously the progress of the distant
vessels, turning the glass frequently toward the other island, beyond
the end of which he momentarily expected to see the white sails of the
frigate appear. An hour passed. The schooner and the brig were now
within about four miles of the nearest point of the island, and still
there were no signs of the English ship. Presently he heard voices
behind him, and two French sailors came up. Ralph was now free to
return, but he thought he had better wait until the brig and schooner
reached a point where they would be hidden by the island from the
sight of any-one who might be watching on the hill six miles away.
Pages:
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114