The sight thus unexpectedly brought before the eyes of the rescuers
sends a shiver through their hearts, and draws exclamations of alarm
from their lips. With quick intuition one and all comprehend the
threatened danger. All at that moment remember having left only two or
three men on the barque; and, should the pirates succeed in boarding,
they may carry her off to sea, leaving themselves on the isle.
The prospect is appalling! But they do not dwell upon it; they have
neither time, nor need. It is too clear, like a flash passing before
their minds, in all its dread details! Without waiting to exchange word
with one another, they rush on to arrest the threatened catastrophe,
bounding over the rocks, crashing through shells and pebbles. But they
are behind time, and the others will reach the boat before them!