Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/416

176 THE CRATER; this point. All that could be done, however, was to des patch two of the boats, with orders to enter the group by the northern road, and proceed as far as the Reef. The third boat was left to cruise off the Needle, in order to communicate with anything that should go to that place of rendezvous with a report, and, at the same time, to keep a look-out for the pirates. With the person in charge of this boat, was left the course to be steered by those who were to search for the governor, as they arrived off the Needle, from time to time. The Anne and Martha bore up, in company, as soon as these arrangements were completed, it being the plan now to go and look for the strangers. Once in view, the go vernor determined not to lose sight of the pirates, again, but to remain so near them, as to make sure of knowing what they were about. In such cases, a close look-out should always be kept on the enemy, since an advantage in time is gained by so doing, as well as a great deal of uncertainty and indecision avoided. For seven hours the Anne and Martha stood towards Rancocus Island, running off about two leagues from each other, thereby spreading a clew/ as sailors call it, that would command the view of a good bit of water. The tops of the mountains were soon seen, and by the end of the time mentioned, most of the lower land became visible. Nevertheless, the strangers did not come in sight. Greatly at a loss how to proceed, the governor now sent the Martha down for information, with orders for her to beat up to the Needle, as soon as she could, the Anne intending to ren dezvous there, next morning, agreeably to previous ar rangements. As the Martha went off before the wind, the Anne hauled up sharp towards the Peak, under the im pression that something might have been seen of the strangers from the high land there. About four in the morning the Anne went into the cove, and the governor ascended to the plain to have an interview with Heaton. He found everything tranquil in that quarter. Nothing had been seen of the strange squadron, since it went out of sight, under the volcano; nor had even the Neshamony come in. The governor s arrival was soon known, early as it was, and he had visits from half the women on the island,,