He caused a great match to be contrived, that we might learn how far we lay from the shore. And, when they had set light to the tinder bound about the end of a boarding-pike, and held it forth over the sea, we descried the shore about a cable’s length away.
Hereupon the Captain turns to the men, and “Well, my lads,” says he, “Who’ll proffer for a shore-party?”
But no man answered, save only Surgeon Burke, Thalass, and myself (we being even eager to go); and, looking scornfully on the timorous men, my brother said shortly:
“Out with the boat; I’ll go alone.”
Hereupon he went to his cabin to provide himself for the adventure; and, having returned, put himself immediately into the cock-boat, which had been hoisted out and lay tumbling in the languid breakers.
He began to row towards the shore.
We watched him pass over the black waters in the lurid matchlight.
CHAPTER XV.
THE ISLAND OF THE HOLY.
For what time my brother should be gone, Wallis, the master-gunner, was left in command; and he presently ordered the lighted match to be fastened in the waist, and three more matches to be made, and disposed severally on the larboard, at the head, and on the poop. Sentinels, moreover, were posted all round the ship.
An hour passed. Silence was fallen upon the ship; for some had gone below, and the rest (saving the sentinels) lay sleeping and waking between the guns. The waterfall sounded but faint, and the breakers beat with a low clamour that seemed muffled by the cloak of the darkness. Suddenly, from a point close at hand on the shore, came a sound of singing!