“The savages are gaining on us fearfully,” observed Willy to his brother. “We shall have to fight for it; at all events, we may kill a few of the savages before we are taken.”
“That would be but a small satisfaction,” observed Charles. “I little expected such a termination to our adventures.”
The breeze continued to freshen. Notwithstanding this, the schooner did not gain on the canoes.
“Captain Westerway,” cried Willy, suddenly, “there is a sail to the northward.”
“Yes, and she is standing this way,” said the captain. “We will haul up for her. Starboard the helm, Windy. Get a pull at the fore and mainsheets.”
The savages had probably not seen the stranger, or perhaps they wanted to overtake the schooner, before she could get within signalling distance. The ship was a large one, and under all sail. With the freshening breeze she came on rapidly. A shot was now fired from the leading canoe, another and another followed. The ladies who were on deck were hurried below. Loftus and Ivyleaf were about to discharge their fowling-pieces in return. “Don’t fire, my friends,” said Mr Paget. “It will be useless. Let us rather trust to the protection of Heaven. When the savages discover that yonder ship is a man-of-war, as I have no doubt they soon will, they will give up the pursuit.”
In another minute his words proved true. The canoes were seen to stop, then to sweep round, and to paddle back again at full speed towards the land.
Willy intently watched the ship as she approached. He rubbed his eyes again and again. “What is the matter?” asked Charles, seeing him almost gasping for breath.
“Why, Charles,” he exclaimed, “she is the ‘Ranger.’ Yes, I am as sure of it almost as I am of my own existence.”
In a short time the “Young Crusader” was hove to, and the boat, with Willy and Peter Patch in her, was pulling towards the ship, which, it being seen that the schooner wished to speak her, was also brought to the wind. The two midshipmen quickly scrambled up the side. On the quarterdeck stood Commander Newcombe, with Mr Tobin, the first-lieutenant, and several of the other officers.