His companions immediately rushed to his side, as if understanding that this booming noise meant deliverance for him whom they had labored so hard; and while the three were listening intently a second report was heard.
Now the besiegers began to understand that something unusual was occurring on the island, and when the third report rang out on the still air Philip shouted, in a loud voice:
“A vessel has come! Captain Seaworth has returned, and we shall be able to leave this terrible place!”
The besiegers, confounded and uneasy because of the detonations, which were several times repeated by the echoes, came to a decided stand-still, while Goliah, who was stationed just inside the grotto, leaned forward, sniffing the air and showing every symptom of uneasiness.
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE RETURN OF THE COLONISTS.
With stones in their hands, muzzles turned in the direction of the wind, outstretched necks, hair standing on end, and ears pricked up, the apes tried to realize what Philip himself would have been only too well pleased to understand.
There could be no question but that a vessel was near, yet there were many chances that Philip’s first explanation of the reason of the cannonading was not the true one.
In the cavern it was impossible to say that a tempest might not be raging, and the ship, having struck a reef, was signaling for assistance. Or, again, the Malay pirates were perhaps attacking some vessels close under the lee of the land. In fact, there were very many ways of explaining the reasons for this discharge of ordnance without attributing it to the return of the colonists, and Philip’s first flush of joy was immediately turned to anxiety.