To have crossed openly to the edge of the creek would have exposed us to the view of the men of the "Terror," if she were still there, and thus give her warning to escape.
"Had we better stop here ?" I asked Wells, as our rig drew up to the edge of the woods.
"No, Mr.Strock," said he.

"We had better leave the carriage deeper in the woods, where there will be no chance whatever of our being seen." "Can the carriage drive under these trees ?" "It can," declared Wells.

"I have already explored these woods thoroughly.

Five or six hundred feet from here, there is a little clearing, where we will be completely hidden, and where our horses may find pasture.

Then, as soon as it is dark, we will go down to the beach, at the edge of the rocks which shut in the mouth of the creek.
Thus if the 'Terror' is still there, we shall stand between her and escape." Eager as we all were for action, it was evidently best to do as Wells suggested and wait for night.