Jenny had drawn near Fritz, and, pale with excitement, she asked in her turn:
"Did you hear reports near here?"
"Yes, Jenny," Fritz answered; "three guns fired at regular intervals."
Fritz spoke so positively that it was impossible to believe he had made a mistake. Besides, Jack confirmed what his brother said, adding:
"There can't be any doubt a ship is off New Switzerland and that her attention has been caught by the discharge of our two cannon."
"A ship! A ship!" whispered Jenny.
"And you are sure it was to the eastward?" M. Zermatt insisted.
"Yes, to the eastward," Fritz declared; "and I am sure now that Deliverance Bay can only be a few miles from the main sea."
This was very likely the case; but no one knew, as no exploration had yet been carried out along that coast.
Great was the emotion of the inhabitants of New Switzerland after the first moment of surprise, almost of stupefaction.