But rowing close in as we were we saw it some time before we got
there. The rocks overlap each other, and there is a narrow channel
some fifty yards long between them. Apparently this makes a sharp turn
at the other end and opens out. We saw nothing of the vessels we were
chasing yesterday, but on high ground facing the channel there is a
battery of six guns planted so as to rake anything coming in. There
are some chains across the end. While we were lying on our oars there
we were hailed." And he then repeated the warning that had been given.
"Nasty place to get into--eh?" the captain said thoughtfully.
"Very nasty, sir. You see, the guns would play right down into the
channel; then there are the chains to break down, and perhaps more
batteries, and certainly the ships to tackle when we get inside."
"Is there width for the frigate to enter?" the captain asked.
"Just width, I should say, and no more, sir. We should certainly have
to get the yards braced fore and aft, but the ship herself would go
through with something to spare, I should say."
"What depth of water is there close in shore?"
"Plenty of depth sir, right up to the foot of the cliffs; but of
course I can say nothing as to the depth in the channel."
"No, of course not," the captain said. "Well, it's something that we
have run these pests to earth at last, but I see it is going to be no
easy matter to get at them.
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