rmudas the squadron would
continue on its way to the Antilles or Mexico was therefore unfounded.
No, there it is, awaiting broad daylight in order to attack Back Cup.

There is a movement on the coast. Three or four pirates emerge from
the rocks, the sentries are recalled and draw in, and the entire band
is soon assembled. They do not seek shelter inside the cavern, knowing
full well that the ships can never get near enough for the shells of
the big guns to reach, the island.

I run no risk of being discovered, for only my head protrudes above
the hole in the rock and no one is likely to come this way. The only
thing that worries me is that Serko, or somebody else may take it into
his head to see if I am in my cell, and if necessary to lock me in,
though what they have to fear from me I cannot conceive.

At twenty-five minutes past seven: Ker Karraje, Engineer Serko and
Captain Spade advance to the extremity of the point, where they sweep
the north-western horizon with their telescopes. Behind them the
six trestles are installed, in the grooves of which are Roch's
autopropulsive engines.

Thirty-five minutes past seven: Smoke arises from the stacks of the
warships, which are getting under way and will soon be within range of
the engines.

Horrible cries of joy, salvos of hurrahs--howls of wild beasts I might
more appropriately say--arise from the pirate horde.

At this moment Engineer Serko quits Ker Karraje, whom he leaves with
Captain Spade, and enters the cavern, no doubt to fetch Thomas Roch.

When Ker Karraje orders the latter to launch his engines against the
ships will he remember what I told him? Will not his crime appear
to him in all its horror? Will he refuse to obey? No, I am only too
convinced of the contrary. It is useless to entertain any illusion on
the subject. The inventor believes he is on his own property. They are
going to attack it. He will defend it.

The five warships slowly advance, making for the point. Perhaps they
imagine on board that Thomas Roch has not given up his last and
greatest secret to the pirates--and, as a matter of fact, he had
not done so when I threw the keg into the lagoon. If the commanders
propose to land storming parties and the ships advance into the
zone of danger there will soon be nothing left of them but bits of
shapeless floating wreckage.

Here comes Thomas Roch accompanied by Engineer Serko. On issuing
from the passage both go to the trestle that is point