oways. Wouldn't it be a
pretty trick to sarve these chaps, if we was to take the brig and carry
her out to sea under their noses, leavin' of 'em here to amuse
themselves the best way they could?"

"It _would_ be a pretty trick indeed," I replied, "if it were possible;
but at this moment I cannot see how it is to be done. The difficulties
in the way of its accomplishment are too many for only a couple of men
to overcome. Were we half-a-dozen, or even four, we might perhaps do
it; but we could never get her out clear of the reefs by our two selves.
Besides, before we could get the canvas on her, they would be alongside
of us in their boats, even if the watch, which they will of course leave
on board, were overpowered."

"I don't reckon as they'll keep much of a watch aboard her where she's
lying," returned Bob. "She's as safe as if she was in harbour, not
more'n a mile from the beach, and on the lee-side of the island; and as
to gettin' her out, you've only to stand to the south'ard under fore-
and-aft canvas, and it's my belief as she'd fetch out clear of the reef
from where she's lyin' in one tack. You recollect as I told ye that the
reef dipped as it went to the south'ard? Well, it's my opinion as
there'd be water for her over it by the time she was far enough south to
make it worth while to think about heaving of her about. That's the
road as she came in by."

"If that is the case, perhaps it _might_ be done, then, if we could
contrive to gain possession of their boats first of all," said I; "but
what is to become of the cutter in the meantime? I've no fancy for
leaving her here to fall into their hands; and, to speak the truth, now
that she has brought us so well thus far, I should like to finish the
voyage in her. No, if such a thing were attempted at all, it would be
attended with the utmost risk, and could only be successful in the event
of our being able to _steal_ on board; and the cutter is not suitable
for such service. But I'll tell you what has just occurred to me.
There is just a bare possibility of our being able to steal on board in
the canoe some dark night, and set fire to the brig; and then come back
here, get the cutter under weigh, and be off at once. But this even can
only be done in the event of there being no one left on board at night,
and this I consider very unlikely."

"That's the plan!" exclaimed Bob, with enthusiasm. "Burn the craft
afore their eyes, and leave 'em to get off