Returning to the fleet, where the landing was taking place, Jack found that the greater part of the English infantry were already on shore. From what he had seen, he made his report that the enemy was not likely to make any immediate attack on the invading forces. Still a considerable portion of the cavalry had to be landed; the weather changed for the worse, and rain came down heavily, wetting the troops on shore, who had no tents or protection of any sort, to the skin. Jack received orders to send two of his boats to assist in towing one of the rafts now alongside the transport to the shore. Green had charge of one of them, and Tom and Archie the other. They found two heavy guns already on the raft, with several horses. The detachment of artillerymen belonging to the guns now came down the ship’s side and took their places on board, forming altogether a pretty heavy cargo.
The raft was one of those built at Constantinople, and consisted of two clumsy boats lashed together side by side and boarded over; very well suited for smooth water, but extremely dangerous with a heavy sea running. However, as it was important to get the guns on shore, Green determined to make the attempt. Two of the artillery officers were invited into the men-of-war’s boats, and all being ready, they shoved off, taking the huge raft in tow. By this time it was perfectly dark, and the sea increasing made the operation of towing the raft very heavy work.
“Give way, my lads,” cried Green; “we haven’t far to go; and see, we shall have a warm welcome when we get there.”
He pointed to the beach, which was lit up along its whole length by fires which had been kindled with the planks of several disabled boats and rafts.
The heavy swell tossed the raft about not a little, but the crews pulled away lustily as British seamen always do, and the raft at length approached the shore. The roar on the beach as the surf broke on it was not encouraging; still, orders were to be obeyed. Just then a snorting noise was heard, and a magnificent horse came swimming by, as he splashed the water with his forefeet, surrounding himself with a blaze of phosphorescent light. To catch him was impossible.
“He has probably escaped from a raft which has been capsized,” observed Green; “his chances of being drowned are considerable, though he may have sense to swim back to the ship which brought him here.”
“I hope that won’t be the fate of our own raft,” observed the artillery officer.
“I can’t warrant its safety,” said Green; “had I been asked, I should have advised waiting till the morning; however, we’ll do our best, and it will be a much harder matter to pull back than it has been to reach the shore.”
Just then the light of the fires falling on the raft, showed her to those on the beach, from whence a loud authoritative voice came ordering her to return to the ship.
“More easily said than done,” observed Green.