can chase us out to sea in the schooner, where we would infallibly be taken. While they were talking, I was turning over another plan in my own mind. ‘Instead of taking the boats,’ quoth I, ‘why should we not take the ship?’ At this they all started, and reminded me that we were but four men, whereas the Spaniards might well be a dozen; and they had dogs, too, fierce bloodhounds, of which Le Picard, in particular, professed a great horror. ‘Look you,’ quoth I, ‘this is my plan. Yesterday the Spaniards were hunting ashore, and to-day it is very like that they will renew their pastime, leaving, perhaps, only one man, or perhaps not even that to take charge of the schooner; for you see that she is moored very safely, and with her bows pointing down the creek so as to be ready for a start. Now, look at her rigging; see, her jib can be hoisted in a moment, and her fore and mainsails can be set merely by letting go the brails, and running aft the sheets; for you observe that the gaffs are already hoisted, therefore the schooner is ready for sea. Now I know, in a general manner, the direction of the cove below. It runs for a little way parallel to the coast, and then turns to the right, and so opens up into the sea. What is there to prevent us boarding the schooner when she is left almost, if not quite, undefended, and so carrying her away?’ They all applauded this design, and the more we talked of it the better it seemed to be. The schooner was a trim-looking vessel, such as the Spaniards can build very well, and we judged from her shape that she was exceeding fast as well as easy to manage. Besides, the greater length of the cove running westward, what puffs of sea-breeze traversed it would be in our favour, and although there would necessarily be some risk when we had passed the elbow, and came to get the ship out in face of the swell, yet we determined at all events to make the experiment. Nothing venture nothing have, so we shook hands gaily, and thanked our stars for such a slice of good luck.