All immediately took refuge in the Chimneys.  There Ayrton recounted all that had passed, even to his plan for blowing up the brig, which he had attempted to put into execution.

All hands were extended to Ayrton, who did not conceal from them that their situation was serious.  The pirates had been alarmed.  They knew that Lincoln Island was inhabited.  They would land upon it in numbers and well armed.  They would respect nothing.  Should the settlers fall into their hands, they must expect no mercy!

“Well, we shall know how to die!” said the reporter.

“Let us go in and watch,” answered the engineer.

“Have we any chance of escape, captain?” asked the sailor.

“Yes, Pencroft.”

“Hum! six against fifty!”

“Yes! six! without counting—­”

“Who?” asked Pencroft.

Cyrus did not reply, but pointed upwards.

Chapter 3

The night passed without incident.  The colonists were on the qui vive, and did not leave their post at the Chimneys.  The pirates, on their side, did not appear to have made any attempt to land.  Since the last shots fired at Ayrton not a report, not even a sound, had betrayed the presence of the brig in the neighborhood of the island.  It might have been fancied that she had weighed anchor, thinking that she had to deal with her match, and had left the coast.

But it was no such thing, and when day began to dawn the settlers could see a confused mass through the morning mist.  It was the “Speedy.”

“These, my friends,” said the engineer, “are the arrangements which appear to me best to make before the fog completely clears away.  It hides us from the eyes of the pirates, and we can act without attracting their attention.  The most important thing is, that the convicts should believe that the inhabitants of the island are numerous, and consequently capable of resisting them.  I therefore propose that we divide into three parties.  The first of which shall be posted at the Chimneys, the second at the mouth of the Mercy.  As to the third, I think it would be best to place it on the islet, so as to prevent, or at all events delay, any attempt at landing.  We have the use of two rifles and four muskets.  Each of us will be armed, and, as we are amply provided with powder and shot, we need not spare our fire.  We have nothing to fear from the muskets nor even from the guns of the brig.  What can they do against these rocks?  And, as we shall not fire from the windows of Granite House, the pirates will not think of causing irreparable damage by throwing shell against it.  What is to be feared is, the necessity of meeting hand-to-hand, since the convicts have numbers on their side.  We must therefore try to prevent them from landing, but without discovering ourselves.  Therefore, do not economize the ammunition.  Fire often, but with a sure aim.  We have each eight or ten enemies to kill, and they must be killed!”