The speaker, who was steering, wore white clothes, the full dress of the tropics; a wide hat shaded his face; but it could be seen that he was of stalwart size, and his voice sounded like a gentleman's.

So much could be made out.

It was plain, besides, that the Farallone had been descried some time before at sea, and the inhabitants were prepared for its reception.
Mechanically the orders were obeyed, and the ship berthed; and the three adventurers gathered aft beside the house and waited, with galloping pulses and a perfect vacancy of mind, the coming of the stranger who might mean so much to them.

They had no plan, no story prepared; there was no time to make one; they were caught red-handed and must stand their chance.

Yet this anxiety was chequered with hope.