THE MIST RISES--THE ENGINEER'S PREPARATIONS--THREE POSTS--AYRTON AND
PENCROFT--THE FIRST BOAT--TWO OTHER BOATS--ON THE ISLET--SIX CONVICTS
LAND--THE BRIG WEIGHS ANCHOR--THE SPEEDY'S GUNS--A DESPERATE SITUATION--
UNEXPECTED CATASTROPHE.
The night passed without incident. The colonists were on the _qui
vive_, and did not leave their post at the Chimneys. The pirates, on
their side, did not appear to have made any attempt to land. Since the
last shots fired at Ayrton not a report, not even a sound, had betrayed
the presence of the brig in the neighbourhood of the island. It might
have been fancied that she had weighed anchor, thinking that she had to
deal with her match, and had left the coast.
But it was no such thing, and when day began to dawn the settlers could
see a confused mass through the morning mist. It was the _Speedy_.
"These, my friends," said the engineer, "are the arrangements which
appear to me best to make before the fog completely clears away. It
hides us from the eyes of the pirates, and we can act without attracting
their attention. The most important thing is, that the convicts should
believe that the inhabitants of the island are numerous, and
consequently capable of resisting them. I therefore propose that we
divide into three parties, the first of which shall be posted at the
Chimneys, the second at the mouth of the Mercy. As to the third, I
think it would be best to place it on the islet, so as to prevent, or at
all events delay, any attempt at landing. We have the use of two rifles
and four muskets. Each of us will be armed, and, as we are amply
provided with powder and shot, we need not spare our fire. We have
nothing to fear from the muskets, nor even from the guns of the brig.
What can they do against these rocks? And, as we shall not fire from
the windows of Granite House, the pirates will not think of causing
irreparable damage by throwing shell against it. What is to be feared
is, the necessity of meeting hand-to-hand, since the convicts have
numbers on their side. We must, therefore, try to prevent them from
landing, but without discovering ourselves. Therefore, do not economise
the ammunition. Fire often, but with a sure aim. We have each eight or
ten enemies to kill, and they must be killed!"
Cyrus Harding had clearly represented their situation, although he spoke
in the calmest voice, as if it was a question of directing a piece of
work, and not ordering a battle. His companions approved these
arrangements without even uttering a word. There was nothing more to be
done but for each to take his place before the fog should be completely
dissipated. Neb and Pencroft immediately ascended to Granite House and
brought back a sufficient quantity of ammunition. Gideon Spilett and
Ayrton, both very good marksmen, were armed with the two rifles, which
carried nearly a mile. The four other muskets were divided amongst
Harding, Neb, Pencroft, and Herbert.