'We must do nothing hastily in this matter, or we shall only be throwing away the lives of a lot of men, and failing in our object.

I was intending to sail on and not return for a week, for no doubt they will be specially vigilant for a time after seeing a large ship pass them.

As it is, I will return tonight to the back of the island, and will there leave the cutter and my gig.

You will be in charge of the cutter, and Mr.Escombe will take the gig.

I shall then sail away again before daylight; for although from what the lad said there is no watch kept on that side of the island, it cannot be more than three miles across, and any of the men or women might stroll across or might from any high point in the island obtain a view that way.