No, no, it cannot be! Besides, I have just heard Captain Spade declare that they are lying to in view of the island.
To what nation do they belong?
Have the English, desirous of avenging the destruction of the _Sword_, alone undertaken the expedition?
May not cruisers of other nations be with them?
I know not, and it is impossible to ascertain.

And what does it matter, after all, so long as this haunt is destroyed, even though I should perish in the ruins like the heroic Lieutenant Davon and his brave crew?
Preparations for defence continue with coolness and method under Engineer Serko's superintendence.

These pirates are obviously certain that they will be able to annihilate their assailants as soon as the latter enter the dangerous zone.

Their confidence in Roch's fulgurator is absolute.

Absorbed by the idea that these warship are powerless against them, they think neither of the difficulties nor menaces held out by the future.
I surmise that the trestles have been set up on the northwest coast with the grooves turned to send the engines to the north, west, and south.