‘I will drill them to a nicety, sir, before we start,’ said Herbert. ‘One great advantage we shall have, these cursed Spanish sentinels, sleep half the time upon their posts, and if we arrive in lucky time, we may catch them napping, and that would be half of the battle gained at the outset, sir.’
‘Do you remember at what hour the guard is changed? asked Channing.
‘Let me think; at eight, twelve and four, I believe.’
‘We must manage to arrive at about one o’clock, A. M. The midnight guard will be comfortably settled for the watch by that time,’ said Channing.
‘Just so, sir, the fellow will be snoring by that time I’ll be bound.’
‘I will select the men from the brig, Mr. Herbert, and you may come on board, sir, at about half past nine well armed.’
‘Will one boat be enough, sir?’
‘Better for all purposes than two, and we must leave a respectable force in charge of the prisoners, who need looking to.’
‘Very true, sir,’ replied Herbert.
‘I had rather have six chosen men, and they good ones, than three times the number to attempt such an enterprise with,’ said Channing.