They walked for half a mile together, and then Jacques said:
"Here our paths separate, lad; you can't miss your way to the top of
the hill. I go almost the other way, for the schooner lies but a short
distance from the end of the island. If I were you I should lie up for
a sleep as soon as I get there. Remember you will not see my fire till
two o'clock. If you do not see it then you must keep watch till
morning, for there's no saying when it may be lit. As soon as you see
it you show a light three times in the direction of the creek. If you
see it answered you will have nothing more to do; if not you must keep
on showing the light till you do get an answer. In the morning you
wait till the sun has been up an hour, then come to this spot and wait
for me. I shall start at daybreak, but I have a lot further to walk
than you have, so I shan't be there before you. If we find your people
haven't come into the harbor we will wait till they do so; then when
they find that there is no one there we can show ourselves quietly;
but if we got there first they might begin to shoot directly they saw
us without stopping to ask any questions."
Ralph made his way up to the top of the hill, threw himself down under
some trees near the summit, and was soon fast asleep. When he awoke it
was already dark. He lit his lantern, covered it up in his jacket, and
took his station at the highest point.
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