The Frenchmen hearing this at first seemed to hesitate, but shouting to each other they again advanced towards the embankment. “You will take the consequences of your folly,” said Captain Rymer, and Pierre interpreted what he said. Several shots were fired, and two or three of the Frenchmen were apparently hit. The discharge had the effect of making them retreat. It was evident, however, that from the few muskets that had gone off that the powder was far from good, and that little dependence could therefore be placed on their firearms. Still it appeared that the French had had enough for the moment, as having failed in their expected surprise of the English they retreated once more to their own camp. But the state of affairs was very serious, as it could not be supposed that they would not again attempt to attack the camp.
“One thing must be done,” observed Captain Rymer; “as soon as the sun comes out we must dry our powder, that it may prove of more use than it did just now.” In a short time daylight broke, and the sun, rising out of the ocean, shed a bright light over the scene. As he rose, his rays fell on the white sails of a ship, not two miles from the island. Captain Rymer’s telescope was immediately turned towards her. “She’s an English frigate,” he exclaimed.
“Let me look, sir! let me look!” cried Harry, eagerly.
“That she is, indeed, and my own ship, the Arethusa, I am sure she is, I should know her among fifty other frigates. We expected that she would be sent out to the West Indies.”
The great point was now to draw the attention of those on board the frigate to the island. A flagstaff was quickly erected at a point clear of the trees, and as the flag was run up, several muskets were fired at the same time. They waited anxiously to see the effect. In another minute an answering gun was fired from the frigate, and almost at the same moment a couple of boats were seen approaching the shore. Harry’s delight was very great when he recognised several of his shipmates in the boats. The second lieutenant of the frigate, who came in command, was the first person to step on shore. Harry, forgetting his own appearance, instantly ran up to him, and was somewhat mortified at the look of astonishment with which the lieutenant regarded him.
“What, don’t you know me, sir?” exclaimed Harry.
“I begin to have an idea,” said the lieutenant, putting out his hand, “though there are one or two reasons why I should not know you. The first is, that we thought you had lost the number of your mess; and, excuse me, you certainly do not look like an English midshipman.”
“No, sir, I don’t think I do,” said Harry, laughing. “Now let me introduce my friends to you. Here is Mr David Morton, and Captain Rymer and Miss Rymer, and all these ladies and gentlemen. And it will take some time to tell you all about ourselves.”
Harry, in his joy, let his tongue run on, scarcely knowing what he was saying. Captain Rymer now stepped forward and explained the state of affairs. This required some little time to do.
“I am sure the captain will be very glad to receive the master, crew, and all the passengers of the Cerberus on board the frigate,” replied the lieutenant; “but I don’t know how he will be inclined to treat the Frenchmen, who have behaved as you have described. If they are left on the island they will probably perish of thirst. But, in the meantime, should any English vessel come here, they might take the crew prisoners, and make off in her.”