206 FOR THE FLAG

complete possession of his senses. And why should he
not enjoy his full brain power? Has he not attained the
complete aim and end of his genius? Are not his plans,
conceived so long ago, in course of execution ?

August 17th to 18th.—At one o’clock this morning the
noise of cannon coming from the exterior made me start
up out of my sleep.

“Is it an attack on Backcup?” I asked myself. “Are
the movements of Count d’Artigas’ schooner suspected ?
and has she been pursued to the entrance of the channels ?
Are they trying to destroy the island with cannon? Is
justice going to be done to these desperadoes, before Roch
can finish the making of his explosive, before the recep-
tacles can be brought to Backcup ?”

Several times these detonations occurred at almost
regular intervals, Presently it occurred to me, if the £dda
is destroyed, all communication with the mainland will be
impossible, the provisioning of the island can no longer be
effected.

It is true the tug would convey Count d’Artigas to
some point on the American Coast, and there would be
plenty of money for the purchase of a new pleasure boat.
But no matter—Heaven be praised if Backcup is destroyed
before Ker Karraje secures the Roch Fulgurator !

In the morning as soon as it was light I rushed out of
‘my cell.

There was nothing new about the Bechive. The
men were attending to their usual work. The tug
was at its moorings. I.saw M. Roch entering his