We should lose a tremendous lot of our men, and the schooner would go off and fetch two or three more ships of war here, so that in the end they must beat us.

I think that there is no question that it will be better for us to take our chances of escape now." "Either the schooner will come back to-night and tow the boats of the frigate round the other side of the island, or she will send a boat with the news that she has found a landing-place, and then the frigate will send all her boats.

I don't think the attack will take place to-night; but it may be made.

It certainly won't if the schooner comes round, for the wind is very light.

She will not leave her anchorage until it is quite dark; and by the time she has got round to the frigate, and the boat's crews are ready to start, and they all get to the back of the island, it will be morning.