"I shall leave Frank and Jack to see to them; a mere obstinate freak, or a catastrophe, it will be time enough, when over, to inform them of this new idea of the Pilot's."
"It is something more than an idea this time," remarked Jack.
Just as Becker and his two sons were issuing from the grotto, the report of a cannon-shot resounded through the air.
Awoke and startled by the explosion, Becker's wife and Mrs. Wolston came running towards them. As for the girls, their guardian angel had too closely enveloped them in its wings to admit of their sleep being disturbed.
"The sloop on the coast!" said Frank; "for the sound is too distinct to come from a distance."
"Unless Willis has got upon Shark's Island," objected Fritz, running towards the terrace, armed with a telescope. "Just so; he is there, I see him distinctly; he is recharging our four-pounder."
"God be praised! you relieve my conscience of a great burden," said Ernest, placing his hand on his breast.
"He is going to discharge it," cried Fritz—boom. Then a second shot reverberated in the air.
"If Captain Littlestone be within hearing of that signal, he will be sure to reply to it." said Becker. "Listen!"
They hushed themselves in silence, each retaining his respiration, as if their object had been to hear the sound of a fly's wing rather than the report of a cannon.