xpedition.

Lieutenant Saltwell went in the barge, the third lieutenant in the
launch, and the lieutenant of marines, with the senior mate, in the
cutter, the oars of all the boats being muffled, so that no sound would
betray their approach to the enemy.

The frigate then again stood in, taking care to show no lights, when in
perfect silence the boats shoved off, carrying among them about fifty
officers and men. Lieutenant Saltwell called Bill aft to take a seat by
his side. Before leaving the frigate, the captain had directed the
first lieutenant to return should he find the ship so moored as to
render it impossible to bring her out. Bill, however, told him that he
had observed a vessel at anchor some way below the landing-place, and
that he supposed no large craft could get up higher on account of the
shallowness of the water. The wind, which had hitherto been east and
north-east, again shifting to the southward, blew directly down the
harbour, which would enable the ship, should she be captured, to be
brought down without difficulty.

Bill's heart beat quicker than usual as he thought of the work in hand,
and recollected that the success of the undertaking might considerably
depend upon him. The night was very dark, but as the boats got up to
the mouth of the harbour the lights on shore could be distinguished, as
well as several on board vessels at anchor. The boats kept clear of the
latter, lest any of their people might discover them and give the alarm.
The barge led, the launch and cutter following in succession. The
success of the undertaking would depend on their being able to take the
enemy by surprise.

As yet no signs had been perceived that their approach was discovered,
and Bill advised that they should keep over to the west shore, where
there were no vessels at anchor, but where he was sure there was water
for the boats, from having seen a good-sized craft keeping that course
at low tide.

As they got higher up, the sound of voices came off the shore, as if the
people were laughing and making merry. This gave Mr Saltwell hopes
that many of the crew were landed, and that those on board would be
totally unprepared for an attack. He intended to board on the starboard
quarter, and he had given directions to the other officers, one to board
on the larboard quarter and the other at the main chains, his object
being to overpower the resistance the officer's would make aft, then to
sweep the decks u