All was propitious for the attack. There was no moon--only a meagrestarlight when they set forth from Chaussey. The journey was made inlittle more than an hour, and Rullecour himself was among the first tosee the shores of Jersey loom dimly in front. Beside him stood themurderous pilot who was leading in the expedition, the colleague of0livier Delagarde.

Presently the pilot gave an exclamation of surprise and anxiety--thetides and currents were bearing them away from the intended landing-place. It sometimes was now almost low water, and instead of an immediate shore,there lay before them a vast field of scarblack rocks, dimly seen. He gavethe signal to lay-to, and himself took the bearings. The tide was goingout rapidly, disclosing reefs on either arm. He drew in carefully tothe right of the rock known as L'Echiquelez, up through a passage scarcewide enough for canoes, and to Roque Platte, the south-eastern projectionof the island.