of her canvas, I should say she was English. But the sternmost I can't
quite make out; she is probably a French or Spanish privateer. However,
as they are coming on at a good rate, we shall know before long. In the
mean time I intend to take my dip."

Gerald and Nat continued watching the strangers as they approached.
They had got considerably nearer by the time the master came out of the
water.

"They must have encountered dark and heavy weather, and got out of their
course, or they would not have been so close in to this dangerous
coast," he observed. "Lend me the glass again, Foley," he added,
turning to the second lieutenant. "Well, I can't make out what she is,"
he continued. "Her sails have an English cut about them, too. We shall
make out her colours before long, for if she is English she is sure to
hoist them when she sees ours flying from the flagstaff."

Mr Foley and the rest of the party were as much puzzled as the master.
No one felt inclined to leave the spot, even though breakfast-time was
approaching.

Gerald felt unusually interested; why, he could scarcely tell, except
that he had been the first to discover the strangers. Now he threw
himself down on the sand; then he got up and walked about, and again
borrowed Mr Foley's telescope.

The course the two vessels were steering would carry them within half a
mile of the outer reefs that surrounded the island. The hull of the
first could already be distinctly seen. She appeared to be either an
armed merchantman or a privateer; but if the latter, it was not likely
that she would run from a vessel not much, if at all, superior to her in
size.

Nearer and nearer drew the leading vessel. Those on board must have
been aware of the dangerous character of the coast. As it was, she was
standing closer than, under ordinary circumstances, prudence would have
allowed.

"Yes, she is English," exclaimed Gerald, who had been taking a long look
at her through the glass. "I can see the people on her deck. They are
looking, it seems to me, for some opening in the reefs, but they can
find none on this side, and must see the surf breaking over the outer
rocks. But what can the other craft be? If the first is English, I am
sure she must be so, by the look of her hull and the cut of her sails,
though I can't make out her flag." His hand began to tremble as he held
the glass to his eye--a very unusual thing for him. "Mr Foley, sir,"
he exclaimed at len