Time was precious, and in the moment of utmost need he was not willing to lose a second.
He reached the great heap of wood that he had built up on the beach, worked frantically with flint and steel, shielding the shavings at the bottom with his body, and quickly set fire to them.

The blaze crackled, leaped and grew.

He had built his pyramid so well, and he had selected such inflammable material, that he knew, if the flames once took hold, the wind would fan them so fiercely the rain could not put them out.
Higher sprang the blaze, running to the crest of the pyramid, roaring in the wind and then sending out defiant hissing tongues at the rain.

The boom of the cannon came once more, and, then by the light of his splendid bonfire, he looked.

There was the ship outside the reefs which his great pyramid of flame now enabled her to see.