If it does, we must do our best to make a group of islands lying down to the southeast, and there refit.

They are a rendezvous for whalers, in summer." "Why not do so now, captain ?" "I would, if it were not for the convicts.

But, unless as a last resource, I would not run the risk of touching at any island with them on board.

As long as we are at sea they are comparatively harmless and, unless there is gross carelessness on the part of their guard, there is little fear of an outbreak.

But once let them get on land, the matter is changed altogether.