t as the
Kroomen had described; and as the wind was still in the same quarter,
blowing directly from the shore, there was every probability that the
_Pandora_ would make her escape. Both mate and captain knew the coast
well, and knew that they could run out by keeping well to the south of
where the cutter lay. On that side the water was deep and open, and if
the wind held fair their chances would be good. There was one thing,
however, which both feared, and that was the cutter's boats entering the
river before the _Pandora_ should have time to weigh anchor and drop
down to the sea. It was possible enough that the cruiser knew the
slaver was in the river. If so, and finding that she could not beat
near enough under the contrary wind, she might get out her boats and row
them up to the river's mouth, so as to blockade it. The cruiser's
people might do this very thing in anticipation of the trick which the
slaver intended to serve them. If, on the contrary, they were not yet
aware of the neighbourhood of the _Pandora_, they might not think of
coming in before the morning. It is true they could not perceive the
slaver's masts--these were not visible from the sea--the tall teak-trees
and other giants of the forest interposed their umbrageous tops between,
and even the high truck of the barque could not be observed so far
inland. But it was possible that the cruiser was acting upon
information, and if so she would know well enough where the slaver was
to be found, and might design to make the attack by means of her armed
boats that very night.

All this was probable enough--the slaver captain knew it to be so, and
hence his anxiety to be gone at the earliest moment.

As soon, therefore, as darkness should descend upon the earth it was his
intention to take in his anchor, drop quietly down the river, and then
make a bold dash to seaward.

His design was a sufficiently good one. Though it appeared rash, there
was no rashness about it. It was his only chance of saving his vessel,
and cargo too, for the one being captured he would be likely to lose the
other, and if the _Pandora_ but remained all night at anchor where she
now lay, she would, in all probability, be a prize before the morning.
Whether or not, her chances of escape in the daylight would be greatly
diminished. The cutter would see her tall masts long before she could
get out of the river, and, of course, would have time to manoeuvre and
intercept her.