n deck
when we came in we might have done that more easily, but to get out at
night without knowing the passage will be a hard job indeed. However,
it must be done by some means or other."

It was agreed at last that they must wait for a moonlight night, when by
sounding with a boat they might hope to get the vessel, in which they
finally expected to make their escape, safe through the passage. It
would also be necessary that the pirates should be indulging in a
carouse and be off the watch, and that the wind should blow down the
harbour. Every time the men who brought them their provisions came Jack
sent a message to the captain, begging that they might be released, and
allowed to wander at their will throughout the island. Several days had
passed, however, and no answer had been returned.

Deane possessed an iron frame, but the anxiety which he endured began to
tell greatly upon him, and for the first time in his life, he felt that
he was becoming seriously ill. The thought occurred to him that it
might be the yellow fever. Every day he grew worse and worse. His head
ached, his limbs were full of pains, still he kept up his spirits as
well as he could, and he and his companions continued to entertain hopes
of escaping. One night Burridge returned from his usual expedition in
high spirits. He had important information to give. While wandering
along the shore he came suddenly upon a person seated on a rock,
apparently watching the harbour as he had been. At first he felt very
nervous about approaching the man, doubting who he could be. Still it
struck him that it was not likely to be one of the pirates. He
therefore cautiously approached him and, in a low voice, asked him who
he was.

"You may suppose, sir," said Burridge, "when he gave me the account my
heart did leap with joy, when I found that he was an old shipmate--the
pilot of a vessel I once sailed in! And what was more curious, he has
been thinking of the same thing that we have, and hoping to make his
escape in the same manner. He tells me that he has two companions on
the island who are kept at work by the pirates as slaves; but that he
has had an opportunity of speaking to them, and that they're ready to
help him make off with a vessel. If I had not known him, I should have
been afraid of treachery; but he is a true man, and we need have no fear
on that score. There will be moon enough for our purpose about five
days hence, and I've arrang