"By these footprints, sir," replied the seaman, pointing to a number of well-defined marks on the hard ground. "They are the footprints of men wearing boots and also of naked feet, and they are pointing in both directions, showing that people have walked this way and that."
"Quite so," assented Captain Jeremy. "But how say you that these are a month or more old?"
"The ground is quite hard; we cannot leave the imprint of our boots," continued the seaman. "And since we have been on this island more than a month, and no rain has fallen during all that time----"
But before he could complete his explanation the distant boom of a cannon, followed at regular intervals by two more, caused us to look at each other in alarm.' It was the signal for our recall; something of extreme importance had occurred.
CHAPTER XVII
Attacked by Buccaneers
"Back to the ships!" was the cry, and with the utmost haste we retraced our footsteps. Not having to cut our way back, our progress was considerably quicker than on the outward journey, most of the men casting aside their stock of provisions to enable them to lighten their loads. Yet, owing to the marshy state of the ground through which we floundered heavily, it was nearly two hours later ere we emerged from the forest--if forest I may term it.
The cause of our sudden recall then became apparent, for standing in under all plain sail were three large ships. They were still a league or more from the mouth of our harbour, but already they were in shoal water, so that 'twas plain they were no strangers to the island, since they were following the intricate channel through which we ourselves had come.
Our arrival had already been observed from our own ships, and boats were putting off to take us on board. While we were awaiting them Captain Jeremy ordered twelve men to reinforce the little garrison within the stockade, and on numbering the remainder we were astonished to find that only twenty-two remained. The outposts whom we had left on the hillock had been recalled, and on the march not a cry of alarm had been raised, so that the missing men must have disappeared without a sound.
"Who are they? What are their names?" demanded Captain Jeremy anxiously.