Whatsoever prospect of a cabal existed previously, it was scotched now, beyond doubt.

Henceforth, no matter what ills threatened, surely the little army mustered on the Grand-pere rock would stand or fall together! An unerring token of unity was forthcoming at once.
"Please, miss, an' gents all, may we smoke ?" pleaded a voice.
Iris was for an immediate permission, but De Sylva shook his head.
"Not until the tide falls," he said.

"There is a very real fear of a visit from the launch.

It has passed this spot four times during the past two days--ever since my absence was discovered, in fact.

The soldiers have searched every outlying island, but they have avoided Grand-pere because it is believed that a landing is highly dangerous if not quite impracticable.