rd. Then three boats were to be provisioned with food and water
for two days, and, leaving the ships early in the afternoon, were to
arrive off La Guayra about midnight or thereabout. They were to make as
close an investigation of the harbour, and any ships that might be in
it, as could be made with safety. They were to ascertain, if possible,
whether there were any plate ships in the roadstead, and, if so, the
precise positions in which they were lying. They were also to
determine, as nearly as they could, what the chances of a night attack
would be; whether likely to be successful or otherwise. In short, they
were to accumulate all the information they could, without being seen.

The little squadron--which had been hove-to during the consultation--
filled away once more, and carefully felt its way into the bay, and,
after many very narrow escapes of falling foul of the rocks and
sand-banks with which the entrance was encumbered, came to an anchor in
safety in the spot where it was to remain until such time as the boat
expedition should return. A boat was provisioned and manned by each
ship in the squadron, and Roger and Harry, who were always ready for any
adventure that promised a spice of danger, pleaded so eloquently to be
allowed to accompany the boat sent by the flag-ship, that Mr Cavendish,
after considerable demur, agreed to their going, at the same time
cautioning them that even a very slight indiscretion on their part might
easily involve the expedition in something nearly approaching disaster.

The next day, all being in readiness, the boats set off on their
dangerous errand about two bells in the afternoon watch, immediately
after the seamen had taken their mid-day meal. They were accompanied by
the prayers and good wishes for success from all in the fleet, but no
cheering was indulged in, lest perchance some wandering herdsman on the
heights should catch the sound, look for its source, discover the
lurking ships, and hasten away to the city to give it warning.

They kept as close under the huge cliffs that towered above the narrow
beach as they could with safety, in order to lessen the danger of being
seen to seaward, and after dark pulled slightly farther out to sea to
avoid the possibility of running on some rock which they might see and
avoid by daylight, but not after dark.

About nine o'clock, Roger, who was away up in the bows of the leading
boat, keeping a lookout, passed the word aft to th