I had gone perhaps four miles beyond the spot where Boscawen's men lay, keeping a sharp lookout on the coast all the way, when I stopped the horses and listened. We had been riding through fields and by the side of hedges, so as to make as little noise as possible, and I had commanded a halt because I thought I saw two or three dark forms not far away. For some minutes we listened in vain, but presently I heard the sound of footsteps coming along a lane near by. Creeping silently to the hedgeside, I could detect the noise of three men coming from a northward direction.
"It's all up," I heard one say.
"Yes, we'd better get as far from these parts as possible."
"I suppose a big fire has been lit up by Chapel Point!"
"Yes, that was the signal agreed on in case of danger."
"Do you think they'll see it? It's a beastly night."
"If they can keep it up long enough."
"Ah, yes; if they can do that the vessel will turn back."
"I suppose so."
The men passed on, and I heard them discussing the situation as they trudged in the direction of St. Austell; but this was all that came to me distinctly. I had heard enough, however, to confirm my suspicions. My plan now was to send two men back with the news, and then to ride on to Chapel Point, a spot some distance farther north.