back in time for breakfast, in case we
should be delayed longer than we anticipated; but this was all.

As soon as we were fairly out of the cove, I communicated my plans to
Bob, impressing upon him all my arrangements, in case of contingencies
requiring an alteration in my original plan; for, as soon as we were
fairly at work, everything would have to be done, as far as possible, in
absolute silence, and I did not wish to leave any explanations for a
moment when, perhaps, a single word incautiously uttered might lead to
our betrayal.

We paddled on close under the cliffs, and in about half an hour reached
the spot where the sandy beach on the western side of the island
commenced. Here we gently grounded the canoe, laid our paddles
cautiously and noiselessly in, lifted the craft far enough up on the
beach to prevent her floating away, and then, keeping as much within the
shadow of the trees as we could, made the best of our way along the
beach to the low point already mentioned as forming the northern
extremity of the bay which had witnessed the fight with the savages, and
in which the pirate-brig now lay at anchor.

There was no moon at this time, the young crescent having set some hours
before; but the night was brilliantly starlit, and, though the light
thus afforded was an assistance in one way, it was very much against us
in another, materially increasing our chances of detection.

Half an hour of rapid walking brought us to a point where I thought
that, by striking inland, we might contrive to cut short across the neck
of land forming the junction of the headland with the main, so to speak;
and now the utmost caution became necessary.

I warned Bob to avoid everything which had the remotest likeness to a
branch or twig of any kind, the sudden sharp snapping of which would be
sure to attract attention, I thought, though the air was filled with the
chirping of millions of night insects of all kinds.

At length we caught sight of the pirates' bivouac, and, almost at the
same instant, saw a figure rise from the ground, stretch itself wearily,
and throw a pile of branches upon the dying embers of the fire.

This showed that, hard as their work of the previous day might have
been, here was one wakeful individual, at all events, among them; and
upon him we kept our anxious gaze intently riveted, watching his every
motion with the closest scrutiny.

We saw him walk to the outside of the circle, beyond the limits