I suppose some one had said
that he heard a gun, and other's didn't. Of course the sound did not
come to them under the shelter of the cliff as it did to me. Then came
the sound of another gun, and then three or four close together; then
orders were given sharply, the capstan was manned and the anchor run
up, and they were not a minute getting her sails set. But under the
shelter of the cliff there was not enough wind to fill them, and so
the boats were manned, and she went gliding away until I could no
longer make her out. They guessed, of course, that our craft were
making off, and went to help the frigate."
"They were too late to be of any use, Jacques."
"Ah! you have seen them from the top of the hill. I did not think of
that. What is the news?"
"The frigate was in chase of one of them. It was too far for me to see
which. I should say he was two or three miles ahead, certainly well
out of gunshot, and as far as I could see during the hour I was
watching them, was increasing her lead. Unless the wind freshens I
think she is safe. The other two were on the opposite tack, ten or
twelve miles away to the west. The schooner was heading after them,
but was at least fifteen miles from them."
"She is very fast in a light wind like this, they say."
"Well, if she should catch them, they ought to be able to beat her
off, Jacques, as they are two to one.
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