The enemy was probably on board the felucca, in force; and it was incumbent on him to make immediate preparations for defence.
Still, Raoul was reluctant to disturb his people.

Like all firm and cool men, he was averse to the parade of a false alarm; and it seemed so improbable that the lesson of the morning was so soon forgotten, that he could hardly persuade himself to believe his senses.

Then the men had been very hard at work throughout the day; and most of them were sleeping the sleep of the weary.

On the other hand, every minute brought the coaster nearer, and increased the danger, should the enemy be really in possession of her.

Under all the circumstances, he determined, first, to hail; knowing that his crew could be got up in a minute, and that they slept with arms at their sides, under an apprehension that a boat attack might possibly be attempted in the course of the night.
"Felucca, ahoy!" called out the captain of le Feu-Follet, the other craft being too near to render any great effort of the voice necessary; "what felucca is that?
and why have you so great a drift ?" "La Bella Corsienne!" was the answer, in a patois, half French, half Italian, as Raoul expected, if all were right.