But it was none the less appalling to think that a ship was in distress near the island, that the gale was driving her onto the reef where the Landlord had been dashed to pieces, and that she was appealing for help in vain.
M. Zermatt, Mr. Wolston, Ernest, and Jack went out into the rain and climbed up the shoulder of cliff behind Rock Castle.
The darkness was so intense that they could not see farther than a very few yards in the direction of the sea. All four were obliged to return almost at once, without having seen anything on the surface of Deliverance Bay.
"And if we had seen, what could we do to help the ship?" Jack asked.
"Nothing," M. Zermatt answered.
"Let us pray for those in peril," said Mrs. Wolston; "may the Almighty protect them!"
The three women fell on their knees beside the window, and the men stood by them with bent heads.
As no other report of guns was heard, they were obliged to conclude that the vessel was either lost with all hands or had passed by the island out to sea.
No one left the great hall that night, and directly day appeared, the storm having ceased, all hurried out of the grounds of Rock Castle.
There was no sail in sight, either in Deliverance Bay or in the arm of the sea between False Hope Point and Cape East.