matter?" queried Jake; "he's headin' away south for La
Guayra way! But what's he in such a tearin' hurry for?"

"Can't make it out at all," answered Bevan.

They felt their sleeves plucked, and, turning round, beheld Roger
pointing, but unable to speak, toward the horizon on the side of the
island opposite to the pirate ship. And there, at last, they perceived
the fleet, hull-up above the horizon, in plain sight, with every sail
set, carrying on after the pirate at their utmost speed.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THEY ARE RESCUED AT LAST--CAPTURE OF THE PIRATE SHIP BLACK PEARL AND HER
CAPTAIN, JOSE LEIRYA.

It was scarcely possible that Cavendish should not recognise the
island--both by sight and from his reckoning--as the one on which Roger
and his little crew had been left; yet all three of the vessels
comprising his squadron were cracking on in chase of the _Black Pearl_,
and evincing not the least interest in the sand-bank, which they were
leaving on their starboard beam.

"Well," ejaculated Roger, "having come thus far, one at least of those
ships might have hauled in and hove-to long enough to send a boat ashore
and take us off. Mr Cavendish will scarcely need all three of his
vessels to capture that one craft. But I expect old Cary has recognised
the schooner as Leirya's ship, and the captain is determined to make
sure of her, trusting that we shall be able to hold out here until he
has captured her and found time to return for us. Still, the pirate may
lead them a long chase, lasting perhaps for several days; and if they
are going to catch him, I should like to be aboard to help in the fight
with Jose."

The seamen said nothing, but it was clear that they fully shared Roger's
disappointment as they stood staring at the fleet of ships that went
sailing past at a distance of some four or five miles--too far off for
the castaways to be observed from their decks.

Suddenly Bevan uttered an ejaculation, and, turning, ran at full speed
to the hut, and reappeared in a moment with an armful of wood from the
stock which they kept for replenishing the fire. He cast this down on
the beach, and, kneeling beside it, proceeded with feverish haste to
strike a light from his tinder-box.

"Quick!" he exclaimed; "get some damp wood, wet sea-weed, anything you
like that'll make a smoke; only for goodness' sake be quick! It's our
only chance!"

The other two, infected by his excitement, at once ran to do his
bidding