, as allowing the privateer to be
anchored on the spot supposed, there was every probability that she
would not remain there, but haul further in, to take in her new masts.
The news that an expedition was at hand was soon circulated through the
ship, and all the men had taken their cutlasses from the capstan to get
them ready for action. The fighting boats' crews, without orders, were
busy with their boats, some cutting up old blankets to muffle the oars,
others making new grummets. The ship's company were as busy as bees,
bustling and buzzing about the decks, and reminding you of the agitation
which takes place in a hive previous to a swarm. At last Osbaldistone
came on deck, and ordered the boats' crews to be piped away, and prepare
for service. I was to have the command of the expedition in the
launch--I had charge of the first cutter--O'Farrel of the second, and
Swinburne had the charge of the jolly-boat. At dusk, the head of the
brig was again turned towards St. Pierre's, and we ran slowly in. At
ten we hove-to, and about eleven the boats were ordered to haul up,
O'Brien repeating his orders to Mr Osbaldistone, not to make the
attempt if the privateer were found to be anchored close to the town.
The men were all mustered on the quarter-deck, to ascertain if they had
the distinguishing mark on their jackets, that is, square patches of
canvas sewed on the left arm, so that we might recognise friend from
foe--a very necessary precaution in a night expedition; and then they
were manned, and ordered to shove off. The oars were dropped in the
water, throwing out a phosphorescent light, so common in that climate,
and away we went. After an hour's pulling, Osbaldistone lay on his oars
in the launch, and we closed with him.

"We are now at the mouth of the harbour," said he, "and the most perfect
silence must be observed."

"At the mouth of the harbour, sir!" said Swinburne; "I reckon we are
more than half-way in; we passed the point at least ten minutes ago, and
this is the second battery we are now abreast of."

To this Osbaldistone did not agree, nor indeed did I think that
Swinburne was right; but he persisted in it, and pointed out to us the
lights in the town, which were now all open to us, and which would not
be the case if we were only at the mouth of the harbour. Still we were
of a different opinion, and Swinburne, out of respect to his officers,
said no more.

We resumed our oars, pulling with the gre