"The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.

As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.

I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
"For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
"'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
"You are sure those are the trees ?' "'Quite sure, sir.' "'They answer to your description certainly,' the captain said.

'Keep her away, master, I don't want them to think we are steering for the island.' "The ship's course was altered, and she sailed along parallel with the coast.
"'I beg your pardon, sir,' I said, touching my hat, 'but they have got some wonderful good glasses up at the lookout, and if I might make so bold I should say that they will make out that we have got a lot more men on deck than a merchant ship would carry.' "'You are right, lad,' the captain said, and he at once gave orders that all hands with the exception of half a dozen should sit down under the bulwarks or go below.

The captain and first lieutenant kept a sharp lookout through their glasses until we had passed the end of the island.
I pointed out to them the exact position of the cove, but it was so shut in that even when I showed where it was, it was as much as they could do to make it out.
"'Now, lad, do you know of any other landing places on the other side of the island ?' "'No, sir, and I don't believe there is any,' says I.I know the captain said to me the first day I was on shore, 'It's no use your thinking of making a bolt, for there ain't no other place but this where you could get to sea--not though you had twenty boats waiting to take you off.' I expect that's why they chose it.