the
morning as he had intended, and marched them inland, fearing no
danger, and unprepared for attack.

Ned explained that the plan was that the troops on board the ship
should land, and fight their way into the interior; and that,
simultaneously, the garrison should sally out and attack the
natives in the rear; and fight their way towards each other, until
they effected a junction. They could then retire into the castle,
where their future plans could be arranged.

"I have, however," Ned said, "ventured to modify that plan, and
have sent word to the governor that we shall not attack until noon,
instead of landing at daybreak, as before arranged. We have been
examining the position where the canoes are lying. They are all
hauled up on the beach, in a compact body. It is in a quiet creek,
whose mouth you would sail past without suspecting its existence. I
cannot say, of course, the depth of water; but these creeks are
generally deep, and I should think that there would be enough water
for the ship to float. At any rate, should you not like to venture
this, your pinnace might row in, carrying a gun in her bow, and
might play havoc among the canoes. Or, better still, if you could
send two boat loads of men there, tonight, and could manage to land
and destroy a portion of the canoes, and launch and tow out the
others, I think that we should have a fair chance of getting peace.
The natives would be terrified at the loss of their canoes, and
would be likely to make any terms which would ensure their return
to their island."

The captain at once agreed to the proposition. The three boats of
the ship were lowered, and the sailors and soldiers took their
places; only two or three being left on board ship, as there was no
fear, whatever, of an attack from the shore during the night. Ned
took his place in the leading boat of the captain, and acted as
guide. They coasted along at a short distance from the land, until
Ned told them to cease rowing.

"We must," he said, "be close to the spot now; but it is needful
that one boat should go forward, and find the exact entrance to the
creek."

Rowing very quietly, the boat in which he was advanced, until
within a few yards of the shore; and then proceeded quietly along,
for a distance of a few hundred yards, when the black line of shore
disappeared, and a streak of water was seen stretching inland.
Quietly they rowed back to the other two boats, and the three
advancing, entered