Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/294

284 "I have been thinking that out," I said, "and I have come to the conclusion that the best plan would be for us to approach the island after dark, to heave her to about three miles out and pull ashore in the boat; we will then ascend the hill by the eastern slope and descend upon them. They will probably not expect us from that quarter, and it will at least be easier than climbing the hill in the face of a heavy fire. What do you say?"

"It seems very practicable," they all answered immediately.

"Very good, then," said the skipper; "we'll have lunch and, afterwards begin our preparations." Then, turning to me: "I'll get you to come into my cabin by-and-bye and take a look at the admiralty chart. You will be able, probably, to tell me if you think it's all right."

"With pleasure," I answered, and then we went down below.

Directly our meal was over I accompanied the skipper to look at the chart, and upon it we marked our probable anchorage. Then an adjournment was made aft, and our equipment of rifles and revolvers thoroughly overhauled. We had decided before this that our landing party should consist of eight men Wetherell, Beckenham, the mate of the yacht, myself, and four of the crew all of whom would be supplied with a Winchester repeating rifle, a revolver, and a dozen cartridges for each weapon. Not a shot was to be fired unless absolutely necessary, and the greatest care was to be taken in order to approach the hut, if possible, without disturbing its inmates.

When the arms had been distributed and carefully examined the sixteen-foot surf boat was uncovered and