I have begun to write, and shall dot down the incidents of the attack as they occur.

The light damp mist that hangs over the water soon lifts under the influence of the breeze, and at last I can distinguish the warships.

There are five of them, and they are lying in a line about six miles off, and consequently beyond the range of Roch’s engines.

My fear that after passing in sight of the Bermudas the squadron would continue on its way to the Antilles or Mexico was therefore unfounded.  No, there it is, awaiting broad daylight in order to attack Back Cup.

There is a movement on the coast.  Three or four pirates emerge from the rocks, the sentries are recalled and draw in, and the entire band is soon assembled.  They do not seek shelter inside the cavern, knowing full well that the ships can never get near enough for the shells of the big guns to reach, the island.

I run no risk of being discovered, for only my head protrudes above the hole in the rock and no one is likely to come this way.  The only thing that worries me is that Serko, or somebody else may take it into his head to see if I am in my cell, and if necessary to lock me in, though what they have to fear from me I cannot conceive.

At twenty-five minutes past seven:  Ker Karraje, Engineer Serko and Captain Spade advance to the extremity of the point, where they sweep the north-western horizon with their telescopes.  Behind them the six trestles are installed, in the grooves of which are Roch’s autopropulsive engines.

Thirty-five minutes past seven:  Smoke arises from the stacks of the warships, which are getting under way and will soon be within range of the engines.

Horrible cries of joy, salvos of hurrahs—­howls of wild beasts I might more appropriately say—­arise from the pirate horde.

At this moment Engineer Serko quits Ker Karraje, whom he leaves with Captain Spade, and enters the cavern, no doubt to fetch Thomas Roch.

When Ker Karraje orders the latter to launch his engines against the ships will he remember what I told him?  Will not his crime appear to him in all its horror?  Will he refuse to obey?  No, I am only too convinced of the contrary.  It is useless to entertain any illusion on the subject.  The inventor believes he is on his own property.  They are going to attack it.  He will defend it.

The five warships slowly advance, making for the point.  Perhaps they imagine on board that Thomas Roch has not given up his last and greatest secret to the pirates—­and, as a matter of fact, he had not done so when I threw the keg into the lagoon.  If the commanders propose to land storming parties and the ships advance into the zone of danger there will soon be nothing left of them but bits of shapeless floating wreckage.

Here comes Thomas Roch accompanied by Engineer Serko.  On issuing from the passage both go to the trestle that is pointing towards the leading warship.