And he was strong with the strength of many purposeful men behind him, every man as heartless as himself, and Le Marchant and I were but two.

My head swam at thought of the odds between us, and hope grew sick in me.
My sole idea of escape, under the spur of that great fear, had been to get to the boat and make for home.

But Le Marchant, having less at stake,--so far as he knew at all events,--had his wits more in hand, and used them to better purpose.

For, supposing we got away all right in the dark, Torode's schooner could sail four feet to our one, and if he sighted us we should be completely at his mercy, a most evil and cruel thing to trust to.

Then, too, there was La Hague, with its fierce waves, and beyond it the wild Race of Alderney with its contrarieties and treacheries,--ill things to tackle even in a ship of size.