hundred,
inclusive of the artillerymen who manned the shore battery. Asked what
he could tell relative to this same shore battery, Lukabela sketched
upon the floor of his hut, with the aid of a charred stick, a rough plan
of the town and harbour, upon which he indicated the situation of the
battery, giving also the number of guns which it mounted. This
completed the measure of the information which he was in a position to
furnish, but he added that if any further intelligence was required his
English brothers had only to specify it, and he would see that it was at
their disposal within four days. Time, however, was now of the utmost
value to George; he was burning with impatience to get into the town and
ascertain, if he might, his brother's fate, and he believed he had now
acquired enough knowledge to enable him to accomplish at least the first
of those two objects; he therefore rose to bid the chief farewell, at
the same time presenting him with a necklace of big, vari-coloured beads
which Lukabela accepted with obvious yet dignified delight. Then he
called a man to whom he spoke for a few moments in the peculiar language
of the tribe, afterward explaining to George, in Spanish, that he had
given instructions that they were to be guided back to the creek by an
easier and more direct route than that by which they had come. He also
added that if at any future time George should need the assistance of
the Cimarrones all that he had to do was to either come or send and ask
for it, and it should be his.

The preparations for the descent upon Nombre were all completed in good
time before sunset, after which the crew were sent to early supper, and
then directed to turn in and secure a few hours' rest before making the
start, and this they all did with the exception of the dozen who, under
the purser, were to remain and take care of the ship during the absence
of the rest, and these kept watch while the others slept.

The night proved admirably adapted for such an expedition as the one
contemplated; it was fine, and starlit except when masses of cloud came
driving slowly up before the trade-wind and obscured the heavens for a
space; although even then the stars in the unclouded portions of the
firmament afforded a sufficient amount of light to enable the
adventurers to see where they were going, and to distinguish the half-
dozen boats that constituted the flotilla. The trade-wind in the offing
was blowing a moderate b