If your lad were to go as he proposes he might fall into the hands of the enemy, and as the information he could gather would be in any case of no use, it is best he should remain where he is." The hours seemed long until the first tinge of daylight appeared in the sky.

All hands were on deck now, for the news that vessels had been arriving in the port had convinced all that danger really threatened them.

It was not until half an hour later that they were able to make out some dark objects, lying in under the shadow of the islet across the mouth of the harbour.
"There they are, Messer Francisco," the captain said.

"Ten of them, as far as I can make out; but there may be more, for likely enough some of them are lying side by side.

There may, too, be some round a corner, where we cannot see them.