232 FOR THE FLAG

“ Before a landing on Backcup—on the western side for
preference, where the Bermudan fishermen lived at one
time—is effected, an attempt should be made to open a
breach in the rock with the most powerful melinite pro-
jectiles.

“ After the landing, perhaps such a breach would enable
the crew to reach the interior of Backcup through this
opening.

“ The possibility of the Roch Fulgurator being brought
into requisition must also be foreseen. It is possible that
Ker Karraje, being taken by surprise, will employ it to
defend Backcup. Let it therefore be borne in mind that,
although its destructive power surpasses everything that
has been imagined until the present time, it extends only
over a circle of sixteen or seventeen hundred yards. The
distance of this danger-zone is variable, but the range
once regulated takes a long time to alter, and a vessel
having passed the zone above-named, might approach the
island with impunity.

“This document is written on the 20th of September at
8 p.m., and signed with my name,

“ SIMON HART, Engineer.”

Such is the draft of the document which I have just
drawn up. It tells all that is to be told about the island,
whose position is indicated on modern maps; also the
defence of Backcup which Ker Karraje is likely to organize,
and the importance of immediate action. I appended to
this a plan of the cavern, showing its internal arrangement,