as already passing from hut to hut to turn out quietly, and we
knew that the nimble barbarian had got hold of the truth, or something
near it.

In a space among the trees behind the encampment of us visitors, naval
and military, was a snugly-screened spot, where we kept the stores that
were in use, and did our cookery. The word was passed to assemble here.
It was very quickly given, and was given (so far as we were concerned) by
Sergeant Drooce, who was as good in a soldier point of view, as he was
bad in a tyrannical one. We were ordered to drop into this space,
quietly, behind the trees, one by one. As we assembled here, the seamen
assembled too. Within ten minutes, as I should estimate, we were all
here, except the usual guard upon the beach. The beach (we could see it
through the wood) looked as it always had done in the hottest time of the
day. The guard were in the shadow of the sloop's hull, and nothing was
moving but the sea,--and that moved very faintly. Work had always been
knocked off at that hour, until the sun grew less fierce, and the sea-
breeze rose; so that its being holiday with us, made no difference, just
then, in the look of the place. But I may mention that it was a holiday,
and the first we had had since our hard work began. Last night's ball
had been given, on the leak's being repaired, and the careening done. The
worst of the work was over, and to-morrow we were to begin to get the
sloop afloat again.

We marines were now drawn up here under arms. The chace-party were drawn
up separate. The men of the Columbus were drawn up separate. The
officers stepped out into the midst of the three parties, and spoke so as
all might hear. Captain Carton was the officer in command, and he had a
spy-glass in his hand. His coxswain stood by him with another spy-glass,
and with a slate on which he seemed to have been taking down signals.

"Now, men!" says Captain Carton; "I have to let you know, for your
satisfaction: Firstly, that there are ten pirate-boats, strongly manned
and armed, lying hidden up a creek yonder on the coast, under the
overhanging branches of the dense trees. Secondly, that they will
certainly come out this night when the moon rises, on a pillaging and
murdering expedition, of which some part of the mainland is the object.
Thirdly--don't cheer, men!--that we will give chace, and, if we can get
at them, rid the world of them, please God!"

Nobody spoke, that I heard, and no