The sailors now thought of saving themselves. The distance from dry land was not much, and it might be gained on the crest of the waves, if no rock dashed to pieces the daring fugitives in their attempt.
Each bold pirate watched his time, and leapt boldly on the crest of the billow, as it came washing by, and in the twinkling of an eye, was thrown up high and dry, alive or dead, on the top of the rocks.
Already every man had left the schooner, and had perished or been tossed up alive.
Appadocca still stood leaning on the bulwarks, contemplating the sad remnants of his once all but animated vessel.
Lorenzo and Jack Jimmy drew together imperceptibly to his sides. They stood around him silent, and unperceived.
The schooner was breaking up; still Appadocca stood where he was.
“Will not your excellency go on shore?” Lorenzo at last ventured to say.
Appadocca started slightly, as if awakened from a dream or reverie.
“Yes, Lorenzo; but save yourselves first. Watch the wave; here it is—jump in—you, too, Jack Jimmy, quickly, so, so.”
The two men jumped on the billow as it swept by the schooner, Appadocca followed, and they reached the shore.