“I’ll do what I can,” answered our hero. He was wondering how far the present situation would justify the use of firearms.
At last the rocks were left behind, and the crowd found themselves in the fringe of palm trees lining the sandy shore.
“Do you see them?” queried Phil, who was getting winded from his exertions.
“No, I don’t,” returned Dave. He had looked up and down the sandy strip in vain for a sight of the Englishmen and Jasniff.
Beyond the beach was the reef with the ever-present breakers and far beyond this the ship they, had before sighted. The schooner lay-to with all sails lowered.
“There they are!” suddenly shouted Billy Dill. “Too late, boys, too late!”
“Where? where?” came in a shout from the lads and from Giles Borden.
“Look out there, by the reef. Don’t you see the small boat in the breakers?” went on the old sailor, pointing with his bronzed hand.
All gazed in the direction he indicated, and Dave and Giles Borden could not repress a groan of dismay. For, riding the swells of the ocean, could be seen a small boat, manned by two sailors. In the boat sat four passengers.
“That’s Jasniff, I am sure of it!” cried Phil.