If Dorothy Fairfax was already in the hands of these men, then my only opportunity for serving her lay in my being close at hand.

No alternative presented itself; no other effort could be effective.

It was already too late to attempt the organization of a rescue party; there was no warship on the coast, and the authorities of the Colony possessed no vessel fitted for pursuit.

Long before daylight came, or I might hope to spread an alarm abroad, the _Namur_ would be safely at sea.

No, the only choice left was for me either to accompany the girl, or else abandon her entirely to her captors.