When they had
last looked upon it, all appearance of human life had
vanished from its decks; but now there was strong evidence
of unusual bustle and activity. Numerous persons could
be seen moving hastily to and fro, their heads just
peering above the bulwarks; and presently they beheld a
small boat move from the ship's side, and shoot rapidly
ahead, in a direct line with the well-known bearings of
the Sinclair's source. While they continued to gaze on
this point, following the course of the light vessel,
and forming a variety of conjectures as to the cause of
a movement, especially remarkable from the circumstance
of the commander being at that moment in the fort, whither
he had been summoned to attend the council, another and
scarcely perceptible object was dimly seen, at the distance
of about half a mile in front of the boat. With the aid
of a telescope, which had formed one of the principal
resources of the cousins during their long imprisonment,
Miss de Haldimar now perceived a dark and shapeless mass
moving somewhat heavily along the lake, and in a line
with the schooner and the boat.
Pages:
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474