ering course towards the side of the island where they had landed.
Having made this discovery, they returned to the camp. Soon afterwards
the boats came back with some men and a further supply of provisions.
He then learned that the commander intended to land the guns.

The work continued all day long, and towards evening the boats returned,
towing a large raft on which several of the guns were placed. The only
bad news was that, in trying to get the launch into the water, she had
been severely damaged, and as it would have occupied time to tow her on
shore full of water, she had been left anchored near the ship. About a
third of the crew, with the marines, under charge of Mr Foley, had now
landed; the commander and the remainder, with a portion of the officers,
still staying on board. Crowhurst, who came with the raft, said that
there was no danger, and that the commander intended to be the last man
to leave the ship.

As there was abundance of wood, fires were lighted, provisions cooked,
and the shipwrecked crew prepared to make themselves as happy as they
could. Some, indeed, when they had knocked off work, amused themselves
by playing leapfrog on the sands, and running races; and the black cook,
who had brought his fiddle, beginning to scrape away, set the whole
dancing. At last they were ordered to turn in, and though it was not
likely that any enemy was near, sentries were stationed round the camp,
according to man-o'-war fashion.

Norman Foley walked up and down on the beach long after his men had gone
to sleep. The boats and raft had returned to the ship. He cast his eye
round to note the appearance of the weather. Should it again come on to
blow, her position would be one of considerable danger, and those on
board might have great difficulty in saving their lives. Should the
boats be destroyed, he and those with him would scarcely be better off
without the means of escaping. They might have to remain there for
weeks or months, for no vessel was likely willingly to approach so
dangerous a neighbourhood. The provisions, though sufficient to last
for some time, must ultimately be exhausted, as would be the ammunition,
with which birds might be shot. Then what would be the consequence?
"It is useless to indulge in such thoughts," he said to himself at last.
"With a few hours' rest I shall feel more cheerful." He did the wisest
thing to be done under such circumstances--he went into his tent and
fell