However, the blow may come at any moment.
"The Henriette has already begun to discharge her cargo.
Fortunately, there is not much of it.

The moment that she has finished she will drop down below the rest of the shipping, and be ready to start at any moment.

If we find that the matter is not absolutely pressing, we will go quietly on board as soon as she is ready, and sail at once; as there will then be no fear of her being stopped.
"If, however, I find that the order for our arrest is on the point of being issued, I will send her down and let her lie beyond Fort Medoc and Blaye.

If it were discovered that I was missing, a few hours after she had started, it would be suspected at once that I had gone in the Henriette.

Mounted messengers would carry the news down to both forts, and the boat would be forced to heave to, as she passed between them.
"Therefore I shall have a light carriage, with two fast horses, kept in readiness a quarter of a mile outside the town; and a relay of horses fifteen miles on, which is about halfway, and join the ship below the forts.