it destroys the ships
approaching to make a night attack.

I take a last look round. On the opposite side a light, a single
light, is burning. It is the lamp in Roch's laboratory and it casts
its reflection upon the waters of the lake.

No one is about, and it occurs to me that the pirates must have taken
up their lighting positions outside and that the Beehive is empty.

Then, impelled by an irresistible instinct, instead of returning to my
cell, I creep along the wall, listening, spying, ready to hide if I
hear voices or footsteps.

I at length reach the passage.

God in heaven! No one is on guard there--the passage is free!

Without giving myself time to reflect I dart into the dark hole, and
grope my way along it. Soon I feel a fresher air--the salt, vivifying
air of the sea, that I have not breathed for five months. I inspire it
with avidity, with all the power of my lungs.

The outer extremity of the passage appears against the star-studded
sky. There is not even a shadow in the way. Perhaps I shall be able to
get outside.

I lay down, and crawl along noiselessly to the orifice and peer out.

Not a soul is in sight!

By skirting the rocks towards the east, to the side which cannot be
approached from the sea on account of the reefs and which is not
likely to be watched, I reach a narrow excavation about two hundred
and twenty-five yards from where the point of the coast extends
towards the northwest.

At last I am out of the cavern. I am not free, but it is the beginning
of freedom.

On the point the forms of a few sentries stand out against the clear
sky, so motionless that they might be mistaken for pieces of the rock.

On the horizon to the west the position lights of the warship show in
a luminous line.

From a few gray patches discernable in the east, I calculate that it
must be about five o'clock in the morning.

_November 18_.--It is now light enough for me to be able to
complete my notes relating the details of my visit to Thomas Roch's
laboratory--the last lines my hand will trace, perhaps.

I have begun to write, and shall dot down the incidents of the attack
as they occur.

The light damp mist that hangs over the water soon lifts under the
influence of the breeze, and at last I can distinguish the warships.

There are five of them, and they are lying in a line about six miles
off, and consequently beyond the range of Roch's engines.

My fear that after passing in sight of the Be