They are all hauled up on the beach, in a compact body.

It is in a quiet creek, whose mouth you would sail past without suspecting its existence.

I cannot say, of course, the depth of water; but these creeks are generally deep, and I should think that there would be enough water for the ship to float.

At any rate, should you not like to venture this, your pinnace might row in, carrying a gun in her bow, and might play havoc among the canoes.

Or, better still, if you could send two boat loads of men there, tonight, and could manage to land and destroy a portion of the canoes, and launch and tow out the others, I think that we should have a fair chance of getting peace.
The natives would be terrified at the loss of their canoes, and would be likely to make any terms which would ensure their return to their island." The captain at once agreed to the proposition.