The schooner was two miles from the reef when they began launching the boat. They rowed out through the break in the reef, and then hoisted the sail.
"She sees us now," said Floyd.
A flag had been run up to the peak; it was the Stars and Stripes. Then it was run down again, then again hoisted.
"Crew of lunatics," said Schumer, as the American flag went down again and was replaced by the Union Jack. "What are they at now?"
"They seem to be a mixed nationality," said Floyd, "and rather confused in their mind. Look, she's heaving to!"
The wind shivered out the canvas and the topsails flattened.
She was, as Schumer had guessed, a schooner of some hundred and fifty tons, and well found, to judge by her general appearance, her canvas, and what they could judge of her sticks.
As they came alongside they saw that her decks were crowded with men, all natives; not a white face showed, and as they boarded her a hubbub rose such as Floyd had never heard before.
Forty Kanakas, mad with excitement and all trying to explain themselves, some in broken English and some in native, produced more impression than understanding.
Schumer took hold of affairs by seizing on a big man whom he judged with unerring eye to be in some position of authority. Then he held up his fist and yelled: "Silence!"