Under such circumstances, then, our hero set about the discharge of his responsible duties.  An hour of active toil, well directed and perseveringly continued, wrought a material change, The vessel was small, while the number of hands was relatively large.  At the end of the time mentioned, the officer charged with the duty reported that the hull moved under the power of the heaving sea, and that it might soon be expected to strike with a force to endanger its planks and ribs.  This was the sign to cease discharging, and to complete the preparations that had been making for heaving the lugger off, it being unsafe to delay that process after the weight was sufficiently lessened to allow it.  The launch had carried out an anchor, and was already returning toward the rocks, paying out cable as it came in.  But the depth of the water rendered this an anxious service, since there was the danger of dragging the ground-tackle home, as it is termed, on account of the angle at which it lay.

At this moment, with the exception of difficulty last named, everything seemed propitious.  The wind had gone done entirely, the southerly air having lasted but a short time, and no other succeeding it.  The sea was certainly not more disturbed than it had been all the morning, which was at its minimum of motion, while the day promised to be calm and clear.  Nothing was in sight but the felucca, and she was not only in Ithuel’s possession, but she had drawn within half a mile of the rocks, and was sweeping still nearer at each instant.  In ten minutes she must come alongside.  Raoul had ascertained that there was water enough, were le Feu-Follet lay, to permit a vessel like his prize to touch her; and many things lay on deck, in readiness to be transferred to this tender, previously to beginning to heave.  The rocks too, were well garnished with casks, cordage, shot, ballast, and such other articles and could be come at—­the armament and ammunition excepted.  These last our hero always treated with religious care, for in all he did there was a latent determination resolutely to defend himself.  But there ware no signs of any such necessity’s being likely to occur, and the officers began to flatter themselves with their ability to get their lugger afloat, and in sailing trim, before the usual afternoon’s breeze should set in.  In waiting, therefore, for the arrival of the felucca, and in order that the work might meet with no interruption when the men once began to heave, the people were ordered to get their breakfasts.

This pause in the proceedings gave Raoul an opportunity to look about him, and to reflect.  Twenty times did he turn his eyes anxiously toward the heights of St. Agata, where there existed subjects equally of attraction and apprehension.  It is scarcely necessary to say that the first was Ghita; while the last arose from the fear that some curious eye might recognize the lugger, and report her condition to the enemies known to be lying at Capri, only a league or two on the other side of the hills.  But all was seemingly tranquil there, at that early hour; and the lugger making very little show when her canvas was not spread, there was reason to hope that the accident was as yet unseen.  The approach of the felucca would probably betray it; though the precaution had been taken to order Ithuel to show no signs of national character.