Now, please, I must explain what I want Suarez
to do."
Speaking in Spanish, slow and clear, while the canoe drifted steadily
up the bay with the rising tide, Elsie unfolded her project. Behind
the guardian cliff of Otter Creek a ridge of rocks created a small
natural harbor. It was the custom of the Alaculofs, when the weather
was calm, and they meant to use their craft at daybreak, to anchor most
of their vessels in this sheltered break-water. At other times the
canoes were drawn ashore, but she reasoned that such a precaution would
not be taken during the present excitement. That was the first part of
her program--to capture the entire fleet, including the life-boat. In
any event, she intended to go next to the hidden cleft at the foot of
Guanaco Hill, trusting to the dog's sagacity to reveal the retreat
where she believed that her lover and many of his men were hidden. If
a squad of Indians mounted guard there, the reappearance of Suarez in
his war paint, backed by the alarm of a night attack from the sea,
might mystify the enemy sufficiently to permit of a landing, while the
frequent reports of the revolver would certainly lead to a counter
demonstration by Courtenay.
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