The boats were hoisted on the Ranger, she braced up on the port tack, and took the place vacated by the Mellish.

But these things had not happened without attracting some attention.
The captain of the vessel next ahead of the Mellish had heard the pistol shots and shouting.

Luffing up into the wind to check his own headway, he made out a second ship in the darkness alongside his next astern.

In doubt as to what was happening, but certain that something was wrong, he acted promptly, and caused a blue light to be burned on his forecastle; this was the agreed signal of danger, and it immediately awakened the unsuspecting fleet into action.

Several of the ships at different intervals in the long line repeated the signal, which was finally answered by the frigate, hull down ahead.