About noon
In the meantime , the cutter darted on before a strong favourable breeze , and thus passed the first day . Many attempts were made during the night by the seamen of the cutter to force their way on deck , but they were all prevented by the vigilance of Ramsay ; and the next morning , the Isle of Wight was in sight . Wilhelmina had passed the night on the forecastle , covered up with a sail : none of his people had had anything to eat during the time that they were on board , and Ramsay was most anxious to arrive at his destination . About noon , the cutter was abreast off the Black Gang Chyne : Ramsay had calculated upon retaining possession of the cutter , and taking the whole of the occupants of the cave over to Cherbourg ; but this was now impossible . He had five of his men wounded , and he could not row the boat to the cave without leaving so few men on board that they would be overpowered , for his ammunition was expended , with the exception of one or two charges , which were retained for an emergency . All that he could do now , was , therefore , to put his treasure in the boat , and with Wilhelmina and his whole party make for the cave , when he could send notice to Portsmouth for the others to join them , and they must be content to await the meditated attack upon the cave , and defend it till they could make their escape to France . The wind being foul for the cutter 's return to Portsmouth , would enable him to give notice at Portsmouth , overland , before she could arrive .