M. Zermatt and Mr. Wolston had heard the reports, and were already on the threshold.
“What is the matter?” M. Zermatt asked sharply.
“I am afraid, papa, that the savages have tried to effect a landing,” Fritz answered.
“And the rascals have succeeded!” exclaimed Jack, who now approached with Ernest and the boatswain.
“They are on the island?” said Mr. Wolston.
“Their canoes touched the north-east point just at the very moment we got there,” said Ernest, “and our shots were not enough to frighten them off. And now nothing remains but——”
“To defend ourselves!” Captain Gould finished for him.
The ladies had just left their room. In anticipation of an immediate attack they had to carry all the arms, ammunition and stores they could, and get to the battery as quickly as possible.
The departure of the pirogues had been merely a ruse. Taking advantage of the incoming tide, the savages had returned towards Shark’s Island, which they hoped to take by surprise. The manœuvre had been highly successful. Although their presence was known and they had been welcomed with guns, they were in occupation of the point, whence it would be easy for them to get to the central store.
The situation was thus desperate, for the pirogues had succeeded in landing the entire band. M. Zermatt and his companions could not offer a serious resistance to so large a number of assailants. That they must succumb when their ammunition and supplies ran out was only too certain.