It was as deserted as it had been two hours before.
The flood tide had already lifted the boat, which was floating at the end of its rope. Nothing now remained but to get into it, unmoor it, and push off into the current.
Jenny, Dolly, Susan, and the child immediately took their places in the stern. The others crouched between the seats, and Fritz and Frank took the paddles.
It was just ten o’clock, and, as there was no moon, they hoped they might get across unseen.
In spite of the great darkness, they would have no difficulty in making straight for the island.
The moment the pirogue was caught by the current it was carried towards it.
All kept silence. Not a word was exchanged, even under breath. Every heart was gripped by excitement.
The flood tide could not be relied upon to take them straight to Shark’s Island. About a mile from the shore it bore away towards the mouth of Jackal River, to run up Deliverance Bay.
So Fritz and Frank paddled vigorously towards the dark mass of rock, where no sound or light could be detected.
But someone would certainly be on guard within the battery. Was there not a danger of the canoe being seen and shot at, under the misapprehension that the savages were making an attempt to get possession of the island under cover of the night?