THE ISLAND Robert came out of his benumbed state.

It had all seemed a fantastic dream, but he had only to look around him to know that it was reality.
Three or four battle lanterns were shining and they threw a ghostly light over the deck of the schooner, which was littered with spars and sails, and the bodies of men who had fallen before the fire of the sloop.

Streams of blood flowed everywhere.

He sickened and shuddered again and again.
The captain, a savage figure, stained with blood, showed ruthless energy.

Driving the men who remained unwounded, he compelled them to cut away the wreckage and to throw the dead overboard.