As to the two days assigned for payment, they did not anticipate that the crisis would arrive at the end of that time, as they felt sure that the “Falcon” would have sailed before the messenger could have arrived, in which case fresh negotiations would probably be set on foot.

So it proved.  On the evening of the day after his departure, the messenger returned, and the news that he brought was greeted with an outburst of ejaculations of anger and disappointment on the part of the brigands.  They crowded round the boys, shook their fists at them, cuffed and kicked them.  When they had somewhat recovered their equanimity, they made signs that the ship had departed.

By using the word “Governor,” they made the boys understand that a fresh letter must be written to that officer.

This was done at once, and another of the party started immediately with it.

Late on into the night the boys talked in low voices as to their best plan of attempting an escape.  Although free in the daytime, they were tightly bound at night, and the guards, who were changed every two hours, never for a moment relaxed their vigilance.  Finally, they concluded that their only chance was to endeavor to slip away on the following evening, just as it became dusk, when all the party generally reassembled, and were busy cooking their food, or relating what had happened during the day.

Immediately in front of the encampment the slope was extremely steep.  The brigands, in going or coming, always turned to the right or left, and kept along the brow for some distance to points where, as the boys supposed, the slope became more gradual, and paths existed by which they could make their way down to the shore.

At one time the boys thought of rolling down the steep slope, and taking their chance, but this they agreed would be a last resource, as it was probable that the slope ended in an absolute precipice.

“I have an idea,” Jack said suddenly in the middle of the day.

“What is it, Jack?”

“You see that heap of rugs in which they wrap themselves when they go to sleep?  Now I vote that when it gets dusk, we stand for some time at the edge, looking down into the sea; then, when we see our guard chatting with one of the men who have just arrived, and the others busy round the fire, we will quietly move back towards it.  If our guard notices us at all, he won’t pay any special attention, as we are going that way.  We will steal up to the rear of the blankets, within a few feet of where they are standing, and will crawl quietly under them.  When we are missed, they are sure to suppose that we have either made down the slope, or along the brow, and will at once set off in pursuit.  The betting is they’ll all go, but if only one or two are left, we may take them by surprise.  At any rate it seems our best chance.”

Hawtry agreed, and it was decided that they should attempt to put the plan into execution that evening.