‘4 DIEU VAT!” 233

the position of the lagoon, the Beehive, Ker Karraje’s
residence, my cell, and the laboratory used by Thomas
Roch.

But this document must reach someone, somewhere—and
will it ever be found?

Having enclosed my missive in a strong piece of tarred
linen, I placed it in the little keg, which had an iron hoop,
and measured about six inches long by three inches wide.
This was perfectly watertight, for I satisfied myself on that
point, and capable of resisting rough usage, either in
going through the tunnel or against the rocks outside.

It may, however, fail to reach trustworthy hands, and
be flung instead on the rocks of this island by the returning
tide and found by the crew of the #4da when the yacht
returns to the creek. If this document comes into Ker
Karraje’s possession, signed with my name and revealing
his, I need no longer trouble myself about methods of
escape, my fate will be quickly decided !

It may be imagined with what feverish impatience I
waited for night. According to my calculations, based on
previous observation, it would be low water at a quarter
to nine, and at that moment about twenty inches of the
upper part of the aperture would be uncovered. The
space between the surface of the water and the roof of the
tunnel would be more than sufficient for the passage of
the little keg. I meant to launch it half an hour before
the slack, in order that the ebb, which would still be
running out, might carry it away.

Towards eight o'clock, in the dusk, I left my cell. No