e, was alongside the rock. The swell had
risen so much that although there was not a breath of wind, the surf was
beating violently on the south-west side, and even in the sheltered
nook, which was styled by courtesy the harbour, there was sufficient
commotion to render care in fending off with the boat-hook necessary.
Meanwhile the men wrought like tigers, taking no note of their chief's
departure--all, except Williamson, being either ignorant of, or
indifferent to, the gradual approach of the French schooner, which
drifted slowly towards them with the tide.

Thus work and time went on quietly. Towards the afternoon, Teddy Maroon
wiped the perspiration from his heated brow and looked abroad upon the
sea, while the large hook of his crane was descending for another stone.
An expression of intense earnestness wrinkled his visage as he turned
suddenly to Stobbs, his companion at the windlass, and exclaimed:--

"Sure that's a Frenchman over there."

"That's wot it is, Ted, an' no mistake," said Stobbs. "I had a'most
forgot about the war and the Mounseers."

"Ah then, it's not goin' to attack us ye are, is it? Never!" exclaimed
Teddy in surprise, observing that two boats had been lowered from the
schooner's davits into which men were crowding.

The question was answered in a way that could not be misunderstood. A
puff of white smoke burst from the vessel's side, and a cannon shot went
skipping over the sea close past the lighthouse, at the same time the
French flag was run up and the two boats, pushing off, made straight for
the rock.

Teddy and his comrade ran down to the foot of the building, where the
other men were arming themselves hastily with crowbars and large chips
of stone. Marshalling the men together, the assistant engineer, who was
a fiery little fellow, explained to them how they ought to act.

"My lads," said he, "the surf has become so strong, by good luck, that
it is likely to capsize the enemy's boats before they get here. In
which case they'll be comfortably drowned, and we can resume our work;
but if they manage to reach the rock, we'll retire behind the lighthouse
to keep clear of their musket balls; and, when they attempt to land,
rush at 'em, and heave 'em all into the sea. It's like enough that
they're more numerous than we, but you all know that one Englishman is a
match for three Frenchmen any day."

A general laugh and cheer greeted this address, and then they all took
shelter beh