he approached that
part where, by Archie's account, Bellevue was situated, a look-out was
kept for a fitting landing-place for the boats. They had all been got
ready for lowering. The marines, under their sergeant, and a party of
blue jackets armed with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, were ordered to
be prepared to go in them with Mr Foley, Crowhurst, Mr Dobbs the
boatswain, and Gerald; Archie Sandys was of course to accompany the
expedition as a guide. On nearing the spot dense volumes of smoke were
seen rolling along, driven by the wind, concealing the landscape from
view.

Poor Norman was almost ready to give way to despair. His worst
apprehensions were fulfilled. The savage blacks must have set the house
on fire, and too probably its hapless inmates were destroyed. Many
others on board thought as he did.

Gerald, who was looking out, however, suddenly exclaimed, "I see the top
of the house above the smoke; the fire does not reach it. There is a
flagstaff with two flags flying from it, though they are odd-looking
ones."

"It is my belief that they are petticoats, or some female gear,"
exclaimed the master. "Yes, no doubt about it; the signal is pretty
clear, it means females in distress. We'll soon help you, my pretty
maidens, whoever you are."

Mr Foley had taken the glass. After carefully surveying the spot he
began to breathe more freely. Yes, it was a wood on fire, some way
below the house, and that might still be holding out. The flags, too,
he discovered, were light muslin dresses, and he very likely suspected
even then that one belonged to Ellen. It did not require that, however,
to make him spring forward with even greater eagerness than he had more
than once displayed when setting forth on a cutting-out expedition. He
took the lead, the launch and pinnace following. He allowed his crew to
dash on ahead of the other boats, for as they approached the shore rapid
firing was heard. Even now the house was being attacked, and Archie had
mentioned the scarcity of ammunition. Should there be any delay they
might be too late to save its inmates. The thick smoke had concealed
their approach, as it had the ship, from the view of the blacks as also
from those in the house. The former, indeed, not expecting to be
interfered with from the side of the sea, had not turned their eyes in
that direction.

Norman had time to land, and with the assistance of Archie, who pointed
out the different locali