g three deep, one distant from the
other about a cable's length. It steered directly for the centre of the
island, whereas the cove was much nearer to its northern than to its
southern end; and the course showed that the canoes were coming on at
random, having nothing in view but the island.

But Mark's eyes were turned with the greatest interest to the northward,
or in the direction of the Reef. As they came up the ascent, Bridget had
communicated to him the fact that she expected Juno over that day, and
that it was understood she would come quite alone. Bridget was much
opposed to the girl's taking this risk; but Juno had now done it so
often successfully, that nothing short of a positive command to the
contrary would be likely to stop her. This command, most unfortunately,
as Mark now felt, had not been given; and great was his concern when
Betts declared that he saw awhile speck to the northward, which looked
like a sail. The glass was soon levelled in that direction, and no doubt
any longer remained on the subject. It was the Dido, steering across
from the Reef, distant then about ten miles; and she might be expected
to arrive in about two hours! In other words, judging by the progress of
the canoes, there might be a difference of merely half an hour or so
between the time of the arrival of the boat and that of the canoes.

This was a very serious matter; and never before had the council a
question before it which gave its members so much concern, or which so
urgently called for action, as this of the course that was now to be
taken to avert a danger so imminent. Not only was Juno's safety
involved; but the discovery of the cove and the reef, one or both, was
very likely to be involved in the issue, and the existence of the whole
colony placed in extreme jeopardy. As the canoes were still more than a
league from the island, Bob thought there was time to go out with the
Bridget, and meet the Dido, when both boats could ply to windward until
it was dark; after which, they might go into the reef, or come into the
cove, as circumstances permitted. The governor was about to acquiesce in
this suggestion, little as he liked it, when a new proposition was made,
that at first seemed so strange that no one believed it could be put in
execution, but to which all assented in the end.

Among the party on the Peak were Unus and Peggy. The latter understood a
good deal of English, and that which she did not comprehend, in the
c