Truth is, he had chosen this night because they would be safest from pursuit, because no sensible seafaring man, were he King's officer or another, would venture forth upon the impish Channel, save to court disaster.

Pirate, and soldier in priest's garb, had frankly taken the chances.
With a fair wind they might, with all canvas set--mainsail, foresail, jib, and fore-topsail--make Rozel Bay within two hours and a quarter.
All seemed well for a brief half-hour.

Then, even as the passage between the Marmotier and the Ecrehos opened out, the wind suddenly shifted from the north-east to the southwest and a squall came hurrying on them--a few moments too soon; for, had they been clear of the Ecrehos, clear of the Taillepieds, Felee Bank, and the Ecriviere, they could have stood out towards the north in a more open sea.
Yet there was one thing in their favour: the tide was now running hard from the north-west, so fighting for them while the wind was against them.

Their only safety lay in getting beyond the Ecrehos.

If they attempted to run in to the Marmotier for safety, they would presently be at the mercy of the French.