A minute or two later there was a hail from the top.
"'All taut, sir.' "'I will go first,' Mr.Earnshaw said.
"Accordingly up he went, and one by one we followed, each waiting for the signal that the one before him had got up, till all had gone except the two told off as boat watch.

Then the men of the launch and cutters followed, and in about two hours they were all at the top, and a lantern was shown to tell the ship we were there.
"We started at once across the island, Mr.Earnshaw keeping the line by a pocket compass.

It was rough work, though, and at last the lieutenant said: "'We make such a noise going through the bushes that we had better wait till daylight, so just halt where you are, lads.' "As soon as the first ray of light showed we were off again, and an hour later reached the edge of the slope down to the cove.
"'Now, remember,' the lieutenant said, 'that no woman is to be hurt.
All the men who resist are to be shot or cut down; but you are to take prisoners all who throw down their arms.

Some of them may be able to prove themselves less guilty than the rest.

At any rate, there is no fear of the Spanish authorities being too merciful.