Captain.—"Then we agree, Madam, and without doubt the pirates will watch her and discover all. Now are we to run the chance of finding safe hiding places in these numerous caverns, or show ourselves at once and give fair fight?"
Mother (shaking and shivering).—"That I hold to be impossible, for there must be twelve pirates left, besides all the women and children, and look at us."
Captain.—"We have but a poor chance indeed, Ma'am, but remember, Madam, Smart and I have the hearts of a dozen strong men in our bosoms, ready to sacrifice all for those we love so much, and who risked their lives to save us. I feel, yes, I feel as if a wall of pirates must fall before such a spirit as is within me fails."
Mother.—"But in the fight, supposing any of the children should get hurt, supposing one of the party were killed, I think, I really think I would rather all went at one blow than that we should have to mourn the loss of one."
Captain.—"I can understand your feelings well, Madam, and——"
Schillie.—"Come, captain, don't let her talk any more nonsense, crying her eyes out, let you and I go and take as quick a view of the caverns as we can, and leave her to watch, there is no danger for an hour or so. And here is a pencil and a bit of paper for you to keep you quiet until we come back. Write a page for that beautiful journal, for you have got something rather more interesting to detail than heretofore."
Mother.—"Schillie, I shall really begin to think you quite heartless."
Schillie.—"Pray do. I only wish it was the case, for I doubt our hearts will be sadly torn to bits the next few days."
They returned in less than an hour with rather less hope than they had before of our being able to hide in the caverns. One thing was certain we could not hide altogether, and the notion of being in different places, and not knowing whether one set might not be discovered and the others looking on, not daring to help for fear of discovering more, quite upset me. I began to think any fate was better than playing bo-peep in the caverns, and so I said, "We will take our chance on the rock, for we have many things ready by the waterfall which were meant for the ship, and we need but snatch up a bundle a-piece."
Schillie.—"When up there, too, we can look down upon our enemies, and take good aim. I shall not fire at random, but pick out my man."