"To make sure that they have taken the island."
"And what will come next, Captain?" asked Grandma Elsie, who was watching the movements of the troops with as much interest as the children.
"Fortification, doubtless," he replied. "Ah, yes; they are already beginning that work. They must fortify the island in order to be able to hold it."
"How, Papa?" asked Grace.
"By throwing up breastworks, digging rifle-pits, planting guns, and so forth. If you watch closely, you will see what they do."
The children—to say nothing of the older ones—watched closely and with keen interest all the movements of the troops until interrupted by the call to dinner.
They had scarcely returned to their post of observation on the deck, having had barely time to notice the completed fortifications, the tents pitched, and the troops at their midday meal, when a tiny strip of bunting was seen fluttering at the flag-ship's main.
Captain Raymond was the first to notice it. "Ah!" he said, "the fun on the island is over,—at least for the present,—for there is the Admiral's signal of recall."
"I'll bet the fellows are sorry to see it!" exclaimed Max; "for I dare say they were going to have some fun there on the island they've taken."