In a moment they came in full view of the camp-fire, by the light of which they saw several struggling, swaying figures.
Frank's keen eyes seemed to take in everything at one sweeping glance.
Six men and a girl were revealed by the light of the fire. Five of the men were engaged in a fierce battle, while the sixth was bound, in a standing position, to the trunk of a tree.
The girl, with her hands bound behind her back, was standing near the man who was tied to the tree, and the firelight fell fairly on the faces of man and girl.
A low exclamation of the utmost astonishment broke from Frank's lips.
"It can't be—it is an impossibility!" he said.
"Pwhat is it, me b'y?" quickly demanded Barney.
"The man—the girl! Look, Barney! do you know them?"
"Oi dunno."
"Well, I know! There is no mistake. That is Captain Justin Bellwood, whose vessel was lost in the storm off Fardale coast! I am certain of it!"