They heard the boom of the sunset gun from the British war-ships lying between them and Rhode Island.
The boats started toward Rhode Island in the darkness with silent men and muffled oars.
They passed between the ships that were guarding the British camp.
“All is well,” called a sentinel on one of the ships whose lights glimmered in the mist.
“Much you know about it,” said Dennis.
“Silence!” said Barton, as the oars dipped in the waters in which lay the cloud.
As silent as sea-birds and as unseen as birds in the cloud the boats passed on and reached the shores of Rhode Island, beyond the two islands of Prudence and Patience.
There were lights in the Overing House. They glimmered in the mist through the wet and dripping trees.
The clouds were breaking and the moon was rolling through them.
Barton summoned to him four trusty men. Among them was the giant Dennis, and a powerful negro called Sile Sisson.