Tom ran for his rifle, then hastened to meet him, not knowing what might be the matter. He hailed the lad when near enough; but Brandy had no voice now, he could only point away seawards and make faces.
“Is it a ship?” cried Tom.
Brandy signalled assent, and back ran Tom, shouting wildly, madly, exultantly—
“A ship! A ship!”
And Bernard threw his goat-skin cap in the air and joined the chorus, for Brandy had recovered his breath, and the very woods and welkin rang with—
“A ship! A ship!”
Then away they all hurried together to the look-out station.
The vessel was standing steadily in towards the land, with all sail set.
But Tom had only to look at her once before he exclaimed:
“O, Bernard, it is the Caledonia! It is your father’s ship!”