She was only a small craft, of perhaps ten or fifteen tons, with one mast carrying a main-sail and stay-sail, in addition to the top-sail that had been hoisted as we approached.

To us, however, she was a "ship." We were now about one hundred and fifty yards away, and I suddenly leapt to my feet and coo-eed several times.

Still no one showed himself, and not a soul was visible on board.

My own joyful excitement speedily turned to heart-sickness, alarm, and even terror.

By this time the flotilla of catamarans was close behind me; and just as I was about to sit down and take to my paddle again, so as to advance still closer to the vessel, the loud report of a gun was heard; and then--well, what followed next is exceedingly difficult for me to describe accurately.