side of the caravel into the boats, taking the utmost
care to make no sound, and when they were all down, George cast off the
painters, one after the other, and dropped their ends into the hands
outstretched to receive them, finally climbing down into the largest
boat and signing to his followers to shove off. This was done with the
bare hands, hence there was no rattle of oars, nor even the faintest
plash of water, for once adrift, the boats were carried slowly down the
harbour by the current.

There were four boats in all, the largest being the caravel's pinnace, a
craft pulling twelve oars, and the other three boats were made fast in a
string behind her. But these four boats were insufficient for George's
purpose, since they would accommodate scarcely three-quarters of his
entire party, with their baggage, weapons, and ammunition, therefore
other craft were needed, and these they at once proceeded to look out
for as the boats drifted slowly to seaward. The drift was exceedingly
slow, much too slow indeed for George's impatience, and he commented
upon it in a whisper to Dyer who was sitting in the stern sheets beside
him. The pilot looked about him for a moment and then, whispering back,
hazarded the opinion that the tide was about to turn, if indeed it had
not already done so, and that the young flood would be setting up the
harbour within the next half-hour, indicating his reasons for arriving
at such a conclusion. This, and the fact that a light south-easterly
breeze was beginning to make itself felt, suggested an idea to the young
captain which he communicated to Dyer, and the latter approving, they
decided to adopt it at the earliest opportunity. And that opportunity
was not long in coming, for they had scarcely drifted a quarter of a
mile down the harbour when they came abreast of a large building
opposite which some forty or fifty boats of all sizes were moored, some
of them being rowing boats while others were rigged for sailing. Using
a pair of oars paddle-wise, the little flotilla of boats was skilfully
guided toward these, and a few minutes later they were alongside and
made fast. Three good roomy boats were quickly chosen from among these
and secured, and then the whole seven were secured together in a string.
Then one of the larger sailing-boats was cast adrift, the string of
rowing boats, each with a man in her, was made fast astern, and the
sailing-boat was pushed off. And now came what was per