"What is it?" he asked. "Are you hurt?"
"A warship coming up the coast," she panted. "I saw it plainly, and we
must get back with the news as quick as we can."
Much as Cabot hated to give over the exploration of that wonderful
copper-bearing ledge, he did not hesitate to obey the imperative call
of friendship, and accompanied Cola with all speed back to the village.
When they reached it they found White jubilant over the extraordinary
catch of lobsters that was even then being brought in.
"Hurrah!" he cried, as Cabot appeared. "Biggest catch of the season,
and you are just in time to help pack it away. But what brings you
back so early? I thought you were off for all day."
"Oh, White, they are coming!" gasped Cola.
"Who are coming?"
"A warship. I saw it from Maintop."
"British or French?"
"I don't know. I only knew it was a warship because it was so much
bigger than the 'Harlaw' and had tall masts."
"Well, it don't make any difference," growled White, "one is just as
bad as another, and our business is ruined anyway. Why couldn't they
have kept away for three days longer?"
"What will they do?" inquired Cabot, curiously.
"I don't know," replied White, bitterly. "Either destroy or seize the
whole plant and leave us to starve at our leisure. Now, I suppose we
might as well go up to the house and tell mother. There's no use doing
any more work under the circumstances.
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