Though the unceasing wash of a heavy swell against the rocks would have drowned the noise had they shouted in unison, there was no need to tell anyone present that a very real and dangerous crisis had arrived.

The slow change in the direction of Domingo's gaze showed the approach and passing of the hostile vessel.
It was evident that a long halt was made in the channel close to the wreck, of which some fragments remained above water.

Still, curiously enough, it was impossible for those on board the launch to read the ship's name, since the word "_Andromeda_," twice embossed on the sharp cut-water, was hidden by the jutting rocks on both sides of the cleft.
But it was not the fear of instant death following on the discovery that the Grand-pere islet was inhabited that kept tongues mute and ears on the alert during a quarter of an hour that seemed to be protracted to a quarter of a day.

At present they were shut off from hostile bullets by the walls of a fortress stronger than any that could be built by men's hands.

The greater danger was that the enemy's suspicions might be aroused.