It might not be one of the friendly boats; but the probability was that it was one or other of them.

Had they seen any other fisherman's boat near the point they would have rowed high up so as to intercept the hatch before it reached the stranger.

Harry could not hear voices; for although the water had conveyed the sound of the oars a considerable distance, he could hear no sound in the air.
The oars came nearer and nearer, and by the quickness with which the strokes followed each other he knew that two boats were at hand.

Then the hatch was suddenly lifted, and as Harry raised his head above water there was a loud cheer, and he saw Adolphe and Pierre, one on each side, stretch out their arms to him.

The girls were first lifted into Pierre's boat, for Jeanne was as incapable of movement as her sister, then Harry was dragged in, the rough sailors shaking his hand and patting him on the shoulder, while the tears ran down their cheeks.
"Give them some hot brandy and water," were his first words.