The two ships rapidly approached, steering for the west end of Eastling Island, and when at the entrance of the sound, and not far from the castle, they both came to an anchor. A boat was seen to be lowered from the “Scorpion,” and with rapid strokes to approach the castle. With what eagerness did Edda watch her till she could distinguish the people on board. She uttered a cry of joy as she saw Ronald himself steering the boat. At the same time she perceived a person stretched at his length in the stern sheets. Poor Donna Julia almost fainted with alarm lest Glover should be the wounded man. Together they hurried down to the landing-place, where the rest of the party had already gone.
Where all this time was Hilda? She, too, had witnessed the fight. She had seen the desperate struggle, the flag of France hauled down, the ships brought to an anchor, and a wounded officer lowered into the boat. A vague, yet overpowering dread had seized her. She attempted to go down that she might meet the boat at the landing-place, but her strength failed, and she sunk back in her chair near the window, whence she could watch the boat as it glided rapidly by.
Her sister found her thus.
“Hilda, nerve yourself for a great trial,” she said, as she took her hand to lead her to the door, where Rolf Morton stood ready to conduct her down the steps.
A group was collected round a couch in the great hall. As Hilda entered, they opened out, and a young man in the naval uniform of France was seen extended upon it. Pedro Alvarez stood by him, holding one hand, while the surgeon of the “Scorpion” was feeling the wrist of the other, and administering a restorative. Hilda tottered forward.
“Who is that?” she asked in a hollow voice, as she gazed eagerly at the countenance of the wounded man.
“Madam,” said Pedro Alvarez, looking up, “that is Hernan Escalante, your son.”
“Mother!” whispered the young officer, and the light returned to his eyes, which had appeared so lustreless.
“My son, my son, have I indeed found you, and thus sorely wounded!” cried Hilda, kneeling down to impress a kiss on his brow, while she cast her arms around him.
“I shall soon recover now that I know I have you to live for,” he answered, in a faint voice.