“It isn’t Mr. Long, any way.”
But these wonders and conjectures were now interrupted by a movement on the part of the schooner. She had already gone beyond the spot where the boys were standing, and had come to within half a mile of the beach. She now wore round. Flap went the sails! there was a quick movement on board, and then away she went on another tack, with her head turned toward the opposite shore.
“She’s leaving us!” cried Bruce, aghast.
For a few moments all stood in silent dismay. This was a thing which they were not prepared for. If no schooner had come at all, they could easily have borne up; but now, since one had come, they had not for a moment doubted their speedy deliverance. There was not hope, but certainty, in her appearance. But now this was dashed to the ground, and the reaction was extreme.
Bart was the first to break the silence.
“1 tell you what, boys,” he cried, “I don’t believe it was them at all.”
“O, yes, it was,” said Arthur. “I recognized Captain Corbet.”
“No; you may depend upon it, you were utterly mistaken. Why, do you suppose, if they were after us, they would have come and gone so coolly? There wasn’t the slightest sign of any anxiety, or curiosity about them. If it had been our friends, they’d have seen our signals soon enough.”
“Yes, and the Antelope down there nearly ashore.”
“Well, I don’t know. But I certainly thought I recognized Captain Corbet.”