Mr.
Seagrave was equally excited.
"Does she see us, Ready?" exclaimed he at last.
"No, sir, not yet, and I waited till she did, before I made it known to
you," replied Ready.
"She is altering her course, Ready," said William.
"Yes, sir, she has hauled to the wind; she is afraid of coming too near
to the reefs."
"Surely she is not leaving us!" exclaimed Mrs. Seagrave.
"No, madam; but she does not see us yet."
"She does! she does!" cried William, throwing up his hat; "see, she
hoists her ensign."
"Very true, sir; she does see us. Thanks be to God!"
Mr. Seagrave embraced his wife, who threw herself sobbing into his
arms, kissed his children with rapture, and wrung old Ready's hand. He
was almost frantic with joy. William was equally delighted.
As soon as they were a little more composed, Ready observed: "Mr.
Seagrave, that they have seen us is certain, and what we must now do is
to get our own boat out of the sand. We know the passage through the
reefs, and they do not. I doubt if they will, however, venture to send
a boat on shore, until the wind moderates a little. You see, sir, it is
blowing up very strong just now."
"But you don't think it will blow harder, Ready?"
"I am sorry to say, sir, that I do.
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