“We must go back to the ship first,” Horace said. “This boat is too small to be of any use; besides, we must send a stronger crew. No doubt the Turks are watching us, and will come down if they see us landing.”
The schooner had filled again and was following the boat, so that in two or three minutes they were on board. Horace lent the young Greek some of his clothes, and the schooner stood in towards the point, with a man in the chains sounding as they went.
“Ask him whereabouts they are, Horace.”
“Just on the other side of the point; but they will see us coming.”
“I see no signs of them yet,” Tarleton said when, having got within three hundred yards of shore, the anchor was let go.
“It is likely enough,” said Martyn, “that some of the Turks may have been coming down through the wood, and if the poor beggars heard them they would not dare show themselves. Now, Mr. Miller, you take charge of the long-boat with ten men. We will cover your landing.”
The four broadside guns were loaded with grape, and their crews mustered to quarters, while the rest, armed with muskets, lined the side.
“Take the boy with you, Mr. Miller, he can lead you to where his friends are hiding. Don’t stop to fire as you make for shore. We will dispose of any Turks there may be about.”
The boat had not rowed more than fifty yards before five or six musket shots were fired from the bushes near the edge of the water.