something in the nature of outline began to reveal itself, while, half
an hour later, a long tongue of land became distinctly visible broad on
their weather bow, with two or three much smaller detached blotches
rising out of the sea ahead. Standing up in the stern-sheets, Marshall
scrutinised these appearances with the greatest care for several
minutes; then, with a sigh of contentment, he sat down again.

"It is all right, Dick," he said; "we have made a most excellent
landfall. That long stretch of land yonder is Baru Island, and the
small detached blots of blackness are the detached islets at its
southernmost extremity which we saw marked on the chart. We must pass
to leeward of them, lad, giving them a berth of at least a mile,
because, if our chart is correct, there is a reef between us and them
which we must avoid. If we can only get up abreast of those islets
before the daylight comes I shall be satisfied, because we shall then be
hidden from the sight of any fishing canoes which may happen to be
outside Cartagena harbour; and, once inside Baru, I think we need not
have the slightest fear of discovery. Moreover, I have an idea that we
can make our way into the harbour from the back of Baru, without being
obliged to go outside again, which will be a great advantage."

"Have you formed any plan of action to be followed after we arrive at
the back of the island?" demanded Dick.

"Well, no; I can't say that I have," answered Marshall. "My experience
is that, in the case of expeditions of this kind, it is of little use to
scheme very far ahead. I have found that the best plan is to trust to
luck, and be guided entirely by circumstances. My object, of course, is
to penetrate to the town of Cartagena itself, and there pick up all the
news that I can get hold of relative to the movements of the plate ship,
seeing her, if possible, and so acquainting myself with her build, rig,
and general appearance, so that if by any chance she should sail in
company with other ships I may know for certain which is the craft that
we must single out for attack. It may be possible for us to go up the
harbour in the longboat, although I do not regard such a thing as very
likely; there would be too much risk in it, I think, to justify such an
attempt, at least until all other schemes have failed; and we are not
out now in quest of adventure, or to incur unnecessary risks, but to
obtain information; the adventure may come later o