Part 20 (1/2)
”It could not be seen for some ti all night Therethis way, or if she is she may alter her course, which will carry her to a distance from us,” said the doctor
”But I can be positive that she is standing this way,” exclaimed Desmond ”She may alter her course, but our fire will be seen”
At the doctor's suggestion, one of the oil barrels was rolled up that the contents ht the beacon fire; even Billy forgot to propose that they should first eat their supper
The doctor re near they should send up a long spar, placed horizon tally with a burning ht be seen further off than the fire on the ground
His plan was adopted; the signal halyards were strong enough for the purpose, and by means of a line at the other end it could be hoisted without risk of burning the shrouds He quickly manufactured a fusee, so that the mass would not blaze up until the yard was fixed The unpowder, canvas saturated with oil, and bundles of shavings kept together with pieces of iron hoop To beacon,” as Desht flahted, and as it blazed up it cast a lurid glare over the whole island, on the ribs of their vessel, their hut below the tall cocoa-nut trees, and the lower shrubs At the same instant loud screams were heard--the birds, startled by the unusual appearance,towards the fire, and the party on the hill had to use sticks to keep theht More andbeacon had burnt out, another of the same description was hoisted
”Well, if they don't see our fire they er,” said Desmond
”No fear of that,” remarked the doctor; ”in these seas, with reefs on every side, depend upon it a bright look-out will be kept, or no shi+p could get across with safety”
”If she stood on, as you supposed she was steering, she un,” said Toerly hastened to obey the order The gun was fired every five h it was not likely, as the sound had to travel against the wind, that it would be heard for sootten all about supper, until Billy exclaiet soed that they wereup a supply of food
”Let there be plenty,” said Billy; ”we need not be on short coht of the fire To out for an answering signal
Hours went by, and all re, feould have closed their eyes even had they gone back to the hut
Toun had just been discharged and all was again silent, when, as he was about again to give the order to fire, there caun
”No doubt about the sort of piece that comes from, sir,” exclaimed Jerry ”The craft away there is a man-of-war, or I'm no sailor”
”I think so too,” cried Tonals, and I don't think the shi+p will pass by without sending on shore”
”We o off to her in our boat,” said Jerry
”We should have a difficulty in finding her at night, so we shall be wise to reht and she is probably still a long way off, for I could not see the flash of her gun”
Notwithstanding their belief that they were discovered, the party on the island still kept their beacon fire blazing, and fired the gun at intervals
At length, pretty well tired out, all hands turned in with the exception of tho reun every ten minutes
Tom awoke at dawn of day and hurried up to join Des watch
”Where is she?” he exclaierly
”That is more than I can tell,” answered Desmond ”I expected to see her close to, and to have had a boat come on shore by this time”
”The mist hides her from us; see how it sweeps over the water from the northward As the sun rises depend upon it we shall see her,” observed Toht that he had not hitherto observed it, and his eyes were dazzled by the glare of the fire, which was still burning Toht be seen the moment the mist should disperse In a short time they were joined by the rest of the party, who in various tones expressed their disappointer
Presently the sun rose, and in a few seconds the veil lifted, disclosing a large shi+p, her bulwarks just rising above the horizon