But now the ebb is evidently making.

In three hours we will attempt the passage, and once on the other side, we will try to get out of this scrape, and I hope may find the captain." Pencroft was not wrong in his anticipations.

Three hours later at low tide, the greater part of the sand forming the bed of the channel was uncovered.

Between the islet and the coast there only remained a narrow channel which would no doubt be easy to cross.
About ten o'clock, Gideon Spilett and his companions stripped themselves of their clothes, which they placed in bundles on their heads, and then ventured into the water, which was not more than five feet deep.
Herbert, for whom it was too deep, swam like a fish, and got through capitally.

All three arrived without difficulty on the opposite shore.
Quickly drying themselves in the sun, they put on their clothes, which they had preserved from contact with the water, and sat down to take counsel together what to do next..