He could only suppose that it was because the schooner was the fastest vessel, and was more likely to arrive in time at the point.

Beside, if she showed there before the privateers reached the point they might double back again, and the frigate would make the other end of the island before they were halfway back.

It might be, too, that the captain has suspected the truth, knowing that the privateers had a rendezvous somewhere in that neighborhood, and that his object in remaining so long behind the island was to give them time to enter their port in ignorance of his being in the neighborhood.

At any rate, the great thing was, that the schooner and brig should enter the little harbor before knowing that they were pursued.

Once in, it would be impossible for them to get out again and beat off shore with the wind blowing dead on the land, before both the schooner and frigate had rounded their respective ends of the island.
Therefore, although Ralph ran fast enough to keep well ahead of the sailor, he made no effort to keep up a greater rate of speed than was necessary for this.