Thus taken in front and rear, the blacks, seized with sudden panic, broke and fled, followed by another storm of shot from the sailors.
“Now,” shouted Leigh, “make for the boats ere they return in overwhelming numbers!”
In response to this order the English all went off along the beach at the double, and soon reached the boats, which were not very far away.
They embarked forthwith, and were soon once more on board their respective ships.
“Well, my boys,” said Cavendish as the inseparables climbed the ship’s side, “this morning’s adventure was not enough for you, it would appear, so you must needs go and get yourselves into another mess. Now, mark my words, you will some day get into a scrape, and one or the other of you will fail to come out again alive!”
Chapter Seven.
They careen the Ships, are attacked, and discover that they are not the first to visit the Inlet.
It was by this time fast approaching evening, and too late to start lightening the ships that day, since in the tropics the transition from broad daylight to total darkness is extremely sudden, the light dying away after sunset like the drawing of a curtain. The men, therefore, immediately upon their arrival on board, were piped down to supper, and ordered by their several officers to turn in early, as the next day would be a long and arduous one for them.