d. From the top we looked down, as we had
expected to do, on the harbour. Below us lay the _Mignonne_, or a ship
very like her; her sails were loose and bulging out with the land
breeze, while from the sounds which reached us it was evident that her
crew were heaving up the anchor preparatory to sailing; boats were
moving backwards and forwards over the surface of the calm water of the
harbour, on which the moon shone with a refulgence which enabled us to
see all that was taking place. The anchor was shipped, the sails were
sheeted home, and the privateer slowly glided out of the harbour on her
errand of mischief; two, if not more, boats returned to the shore fully
manned. Farther up the harbour lay three large hulks, with their lower
masts only standing; they were high out of the water, showing that they
had no cargoes in them. There were also several smaller craft, but all
were dismantled, and looked as if they had been there for some time.
The French, then, had a settlement on the island. The inhabitants were
sure to be armed, and probably were as numerous as our party. If so, it
would be unwise to attempt gaining anything by force, though of course
we might surprise them. We waited till the people in the boats had had
time to turn in and go to sleep, and then descended to reconnoitre the
place more nearly. We crept cautiously on till we reached several
scattered cottages, or huts rather, built, without any regularity, as
the nature of the ground seemed most suitable. There were also two or
three storehouses close to the water; indeed, we saw enough to show us
that there was a regular settlement made by the French for the purpose
of refitting their ships. The barking of several poodles in the
cottages made us afraid of moving about much, lest their inmates should
look out and discover us. We therefore retraced our steps to the hill.

"A magnificent idea," exclaimed Trundle, as soon as we called a halt.
"We'll surprise and capture the place and hold it for the King of
England. You'll be made governor, Braithwaite, to a certainty."

"To be turned out by the first French privateer which enters the
harbour--to be thrown into prison and perhaps shot. Thank you," said I,
"I would rather not."

"This establishment solves a mystery," observed William. "We have often
been puzzled to know what has become of vessels which have disappeared,
and which, from the fineness of the weather, and for other reasons, we
d