The Captain’s Prophecy.
Before many hours had passed the Captain’s words proved correct. The clouds gathered over the tors, and there was a tremendous storm a thousand feet above the Point. The lightning flashed and struck and splintered the rugged old masses of granite; the thunder roared, and there was a perfect deluge of rain; while down near the sea, though it was intensely hot, not a drop fell, and the evening came on soft and cool.
“Solly, my lad,” cried the Captain, rubbing his hands, “we shall have the fall roaring before midnight; but don’t sit up to listen to it.”
“Cert’n’y not, sir,” said the old sailor.
“Your watch will begin at daybreak, when you will hoist the signal for Captain Lawrence.”
“Ay, ay, sir!”
“And keep eye to west’ard on and off all day, to try if you can sight the frigate.”
“Ay, ay, sir!”
“And in the course of the morning you will go quietly round and tell the men to rendezvous here about eight, when you will serve out the arms.”
“Ay, ay, sir.”