“Frenchmen don’t think of everything, sir,” said the lieutenant, dryly.
“We must seize that rock, Bracy,” said the captain, decisively. “I’ll communicate with the Orion my intentions at once.”
Signals were made, a boat lowered down, and communications passed between the two commanding officers; and then Captain Belton gave orders for an exploring party to go and try and land on the rock, and see what its capabilities were for occupation.
The second lieutenant received the instructions; the first cutter’s crew was piped up, and as the lieutenant was about to assume his command, he caught sight of an eager-looking face.
“Well, Mr Belton,” he said, kindly. “Want to go?”
“Oh yes, sir,” said Syd, eagerly.
“In with you, my lad.”
Syd wanted no second invitation, and the next minute he was seated in the stern-sheets looking back at the side of the frigate, as the men’s oars dipped regularly, and the boat gently rose and fell as she glided over the smooth water.
The rock had a wonderful attraction for Sydney, as it rose clear out of the bright blue water; and as he lay back and half-closed his eyes, it was easy to imagine that it was the ruins of some old castle rising up with walls tier after tier to a height of about a hundred and fifty feet, with only a place here and there shelving down to the level of the water, the rock rising up for the most part perpendicularly from the deep sea which rose against the time and water-worn sides to fall back in sparkling foam.
“What are we coming here for, Mr Dallas?” said Syd, in a low tone.