The shell had reached her little magazine of powder; and then the work of mercy began.
I was watching the boats being lowered when I heard a shout from behind, and, looking round, saw the second line of our blue-jackets advancing from the ridge. To my great joy, I saw with them those whom we had mourned as drowned, while the next minute Mr Brooke had me by the hands, and I heard a strange gulping noise, ending in quite a howl.
I looked sharply round, and saw Ching seated on the sand, wiping his eyes with his sleeves.
“What’s the matter, Ching—hurt?” I asked.
“No, not hurt, Mis’ Hellick; Ching so velly glad.”
Chapter Forty Five.
“Huzza!”
By the time the Teaser’s boats had picked up those of the wretches who wished to be saved, I had learned from Mr Brooke how, when the boat struck, he and the others had clung to her and been swept along through the channel, the fierce current carrying them round the point, and at last into comparative shelter, where finally they reached the shore right on the far side of the island.