He had hardly satisfied himself as to the arrangement of the terrible weapons that had been prepared, before a sound that floated through the open window drew him close up, and he had hardly stood there in doubt a couple of minutes before his doubt was dispelled, for plainly enough, and apparently from the other side of the island, came the report of a heavy gun, which was answered by another report, evidently from a gun of different calibre.
Just then the men who had been below came hurrying up, bearing the powder as coolly as if it was so much butter.
“I’ve brought two on ’em, sir,” said the big sailor, “and if you’ll just look on, sir, we’ll make all right.”
“Be careful, my lad,” said Murray. “Remember the light’s here.”
“Ay, ay, sir; we’ll be on the lookout for sparks,” replied the man; “but hullo, sir! Hear that?”
“Yes,” said Murray; “firing over there, and the captain at work.”
“Three cheers for ’em, my lads! We shall have the beggars at us here soon.”