It was almost dark, which made it difficult for Peter to see clearly, and he saw no movement along the path where he thought Betsy's mother would appear. Another noise to his right made him turn towards the ocean where he saw men leaping out of a longboat carrying rifles. Perplexed, Peter stood and watched as they ran up the beach. All but one disappeared behind the rocks. He raised his hand in friendly greeting at the man who dropped on to the sandy gravel.

"Good ...