Flames now burst out from the ship, and several guns which were loaded
went off, sending their shot flying among the natives, and creating
still further dismay.
So absorbed were we for some minutes in watching the ship, that we had
almost forgotten the boat. Again looking towards her, I saw that her
sail was hoisted, and that she was running before the wind towards the
harbour's mouth.
"Mr Falconer guesses what has happened; I am sure of that," said Dick,
"and he would rather trust to carrying Miss Kitty off into the wide
ocean than to the mercy of the savages, though I am afraid they will
have a hard time of it, even if they get clear."
"Oh, Dick!" I cried out, "see, there are some of the savages after
them, and they may be overtaken."
Such, indeed, was the case. Several canoes which at the time of the
explosion had been at a distance from the ship, watching, apparently,
the approaching boat, on seeing her standing seaward, began to paddle
after her. Though they had no sails, they glided rapidly over the
water, and there seemed but little probability that our friends would
effect their escape.