nly doesn't seem to be an easy nut to crack," Captain
Wilson said. "As we agreed before you started, we should not be
justified in risking both our vessels in assaulting a place which is
certainly extremely formidable, and where there may not be water
enough for the frigate to float. Still the question remains, what is
to be done? It is no use anchoring here and trying to starve them out;
they may have provisions enough to last them for years, for anything
we know. If the weather were to turn bad we should have to make off at
once; it would never do to be caught in a hurricane with such a coast
as that on our lee. I might send you to Port Royal with a letter to
the admiral, asking him to send us two or three more ships; but I
don't like doing that when it is a mere question of capturing two
rascally privateers."

"I think the admiral would be glad to send them," the younger captain
said; "for these two vessels have done a tremendous lot of damage
during the last year. I believe that upward of twenty ships have
reported being boarded and stripped by them."

"But if they came what could they do?" Captain Wilson asked. "You see
we consider it is not worth the risk of throwing away two ships two
force this passage, still less would it be to risk four."

"That is so, no doubt," Captain Chambers agreed. "I should suggest
that however many of us there may be we should all draw off and keep a
watch at a distance. Of course it would be necessary to approach at
night, and to lie behind the island somewhere in the daytime just as
we did yesterday, for from the top of that hill they can see any
distance round."

"Yes, and as soon as it is dusk they will have two or three hours to
get away before we can come round here. Beside, with their
night-glasses from the top of the cliffs they will be sure to be able
to make us out. There is only one other way that I can see of getting
at them, that is to find a landing-place and attack them from on
shore."

"Ah! that's much more hopeful business. As far as I saw yesterday
there are cliffs all round the island; but it is hard indeed if we
cannot find some place where we can manage to effect a landing.

"This is the plan we must follow out. This afternoon an hour before it
gets dark you get up sail and make away as if you were bound for Port
Royal. I shall keep my station here. They will think you have gone off
to get some more ships. As soon as it is thoroughly dark bear round
and com