There were three known channels by which the Rancocus could be carried quite up to the crater.  Mark chose that which came in from the northward, both because it was the nearest, and because he could lay his course in it, without tacking, for most of the way.  Acquainted now with his position, Mark had no difficulty in finding the entrance of this channel.  Furnishing the Mermaid with a dozen hands, she was sent to the western roads, to intercept Waally’s fleet, should it be coming out with the booty.  In about an hour after the Rancocus altered her course, she made the land; and, just as the sun was setting, she got so close in as to be able to anchor in the northern roads, where there was not only a lee, but good holding-ground.  Here the ship passed the night, the governor not liking to venture into the narrow passages in the dark.

Chapter XXI.

    “Fancy can charm and feeling bless
      With sweeter hours than fashion knows;
    There is no calmer quietness,
      Than home around the bosom throws.”

    Percival.

Although the governor deemed it prudent to anchor for the night, he did not neglect the precaution of reconnoitring.  Betts was sent towards the Reef, in a boat well armed and manned, in order to ascertain the state of things in that quarter.  His instructions directed him to push forward as far as he could, and if possible to hold some sort of communication with Socrates, who might now be considered as commander at the point assailed.

Fortunate was it that the governor bethought him of this measure.  As Betts had the ship’s launch, which carried two lugg-sails, his progress was both easy and rapid, and he actually got in sight of the Reef before midnight.  To his astonishment, all seemed to be tranquil, and Betts at first believed that the savages had completed their work and departed.  Being a bold fellow, however, a distant reconnoitring did not satisfy him; and on he went, until his boat fairly lay alongside of the natural quay of the Reef itself.  Here he landed, and marched towards the entrance of the crater.  The gate was negligently open, and on entering the spacious area, the men found all quiet, without any indications of recent violence.  Betts knew that those who dwelt in this place, usually preferred the Summit for sleeping, and he ascended to one of the huts that had been erected there.  Here he found the whole of the little garrison of the group, buried in sleep, and totally without any apprehension of the danger which menaced them.  As it now appeared, Waally’s men had not yet shown themselves, and Socrates knew nothing at all of what had happened to the brig.

Glad enough was the negro to shake hands with Betts, and to hear that Master Mark was so near at hand, with a powerful reinforcement.  The party already arrived might indeed be termed the last, for the governor had sent with his first officer, on this occasion, no less than five-and-twenty men, each completely armed.  With such a garrison, Betts deemed the crater safe, and he sent back the launch, with four seamen in it, to report the condition in which he had found matters, and to communicate all else that he had learned.  This done, he turned his attention to the defences of the place.