Suddenly, three reports of a gun, in succession resounded long over the solitude of the ocean.
The members of the improvised council started from their seats.
The captain ran to the portholes of the great cabin, declaring the session suspended. Partisans and officers, forgetting the accused, ascended in haste to the deck.
Croustillac, no less curious than his judges, followed them.
The frigate had received the order to lay to until the issue of the council which was to decide the fate of the chevalier.
We have said that the Unicorn had obstinately followed the Thunderer since the evening before; we have also said that the officer of the watch had discovered on the horizon a ship, at first almost imperceptible, but which very soon approached the frigate with a rapidity almost marvelous.
When the Thunderer lay to, this ship, a light brigantine, was at the most only half a league from her; in proportion as she approached, they distinguished her extraordinarily high masts, her very large sails, her black hull, narrow and slender, which scarcely rose out of the water; in one word, they recognized in this small ship all the appearance of a pirate.
At the apparition of the brigantine the Unicorn at once proceeded to place herself in her wake, at a signal which she made to her.
It was in time of war; the preparations for combat began in a moment on board the frigate. The captain, observing the singular maneuver of the two ships, did not wish to expose himself to a hostile surprise.
The brigantine approached, her sails half reefed, having at her prow a flag of truce.