, guarded by a fort. As these
vessels, if allowed to get out, would probably commit great havoc among
the English merchant shipping, it was very important to destroy them.
An expedition was accordingly planned by Captain Jumper for that
purpose. It was likely, however, to be a dangerous one, as the boats
could not get in without passing under the fire of the fort, while the
privateers themselves were likely to be prepared with springs on their
cables, and guns ready to receive their assailants. Captain Jumper
therefore resolved, as is usual on such occasions, to send in only those
who would volunteer for the expedition. He had no lack, however, of men
ready to undertake it. The more daring and desperate, the more it
suited the taste of his brave crew. He had himself proposed to go in
command of it; but his second lieutenant begged that he might have that
honour. Among the first who volunteered was John Deane. The captain
ordered four boats to be prepared, carrying in all fifty men. John
Deane was in the boat with the first lieutenant, Mr Cammock, the leader
of the expedition. The third lieutenant and two master's mates
commanded the other boats. To mislead the French, the frigate stood off
shore as evening approached, so that they might be led to believe that
she had gone altogether. The night being very dark, her return could
not be discovered. Jack and his shipmates, in the meantime, were busily
employed in re-sharpening their hangers, and looking to their pistols
and ammunition, putting in fresh flints, and seeing that they were not
likely to miss fire. By midnight the ship came off the mouth of the
harbour. The wind was off shore, so that she could lay to, and, at the
same time, no noise which might be made in lowering the boats would be
heard on shore. The boats were quickly lowered and manned, and with
muffled oars their brave leader, Lieutenant Cammock, pulled with steady
strokes towards the harbour. The outermost vessels were to be first
attacked. While two of the boats boarded one, the other two were to
attack the next. Their aim was to pass the fort without being
discovered. If they were seen, they were to pull rapidly by, in the
hopes that in the darkness the shot might not hit them.

Desperate as the work in which they were engaged was likely to prove,
John Deane felt a strange pleasure in the undertaking.

The dim outline of the shore was seen before them, and on one side the
straight l