you consider most valuable to carry away.
We will then station a look-out down on the beach, or at the end of
Flagstaff Rock, to give us early notice of the approach of the enemy.
If they come, they are pretty sure to find this house out; and, if they
get hold of us, to knock us on the head or cut our throats. As,
however, you have explored the interior of the country, we shall know in
what direction to go, and we shall be able to have the start of them,
and may therefore get away into a safe place, where they cannot find us.
Probably they will be content with such booty as they can find here--
though there is not much to their taste--and will, after a time, take
themselves off."

Mr Thudicumb's advice was considered good, and my uncle and Mr Hooker
agreed to adopt it.

"If they do come, though, what a grievous pity it would be to have all
our collection destroyed," said Mr Hooker. "Is there no place where we
can stow them in safety?"

"We may hide them away, certainly," answered my uncle; "but the pirates
are pretty sure to ferret them out, thinking that some treasure is
within; and though they may not carry them away, they will break open
the cases, and then the contents will very soon be destroyed."

"Still we must give them a chance of safety," said Mr Hooker; "and
after we have made the arrangements for our flight, we must see what can
be done with them."

The poor Frau was in a state of great agitation and alarm, but Emily and
Grace were very far from frightened.

"We will help you to fight the pirates, if they come," said Emily; "and
with so many brave men, I am sure we shall beat them off."

"And you must teach me to load a musket," said Grace. "I think I know
how to do it, but I am not quite certain. I hope, however, they will
run away before we have to fire at them. I don't like the thought of
your having to kill people. It is very dreadful!"

Before we sat down to supper all arrangements were made. The girls were
excessively busy. Each had made up a large package of various articles
which they thought it would be necessary to carry--provisions and other
things. It was arranged that two men should go down to the beach at a
time to watch. Tanda and Dick Tarbox agreed to go first, and Potto
Jumbo and Roger Trew were to take the second part of the night.

"I think, however, you need not trouble yourselves, my friends," said
Mr Sedgwick, "for they will scarcely attempt to approach this coast in