“There’s a sail in every point o’ the compass,” cried Climberkin, as he swept the horizon with his glass.
“I told you so, sir,” continued the captain.
Climberkin was right. Wherever the eye could gaze the spars of a vessel were seen rising from the wave; and, apparently, as soon as each ship discovered the Albatross, she made all sail towards her. It was a beautiful sight to see them approaching, most of them with every stitch of canvass set—some bearing right down upon the Albatross, and others making tacks; while the distant cheers of their crews, answered by the crews of the Whittington and the Albatross, increased the stirring character of the scene. As soon as they were near enough a boat was seen putting off from each vessel; and, a few minutes after, the captains of the different ships came on board the Albatross, and sat with Oriel Porphyry in his cabin for several hours, in deep and earnest conference. These had scarcely departed when others arrived. New vessels kept continually approaching. As fast as one party left the ship others made their appearance, and at last the Albatross was surrounded by an immense fleet. All their commanders having at last communicated with Oriel Porphyry, they crowded sail for Columbia.
“Captain,” exclaimed the young merchant, after the last of his visitors had departed, “are you sure of the crew?”
“To a man, sir,” replied old Hearty. “There’s such a stir in the ship as never was afore. They are all impatient to be led against your enemies. I never saw such enthusiusiasm in all my life.”
“Keep them in that humour, captain,” said Oriel Porphyry. “Let every man have a good supply of ball cartridges, a musket, a pair of pistols, and a cutlass.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And let a party be formed who can use the hatchet and crow-bar with good effect.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And get the carpenter to make carriages for the larger guns, so that they can be dragged by ropes upon the land; and let them be manned by picked men.”