"The convicts might profit by the high tide to enter the channel, with the risk of grounding at low tide, it is true; but then, under the fire from her guns, our posts would be no longer tenable."
Les convicts peuvent profiter de la mer haute pour entrer dans le canal, quitte à s'échouer à mer basse, et alors, sous le feu de leurs canons, nos postes ne seront plus tenables.