I was put in command of the yawl from our frigate, and Lieutenant Haines had charge of the boat from the Providence. His superior rank made him commander of the expedition, and together we proceeded down the creek to its mouth, and, lying to there, waited for the coming of the English vessels.
Soon they appeared below Morris Island, but instead of rounding it, and sailing up our way, they kept straight on down the coast.
“What does that mean?” asked Lieutenant Haines, turning to me.
I studied the situation for a moment or two before I replied. Then I said:
“They are going farther down the shore to land. They know if they come up here our vessels can put themselves into a position where, if they do not prevent the landing, they can make it a terribly costly thing to undertake. But dropping a few miles down the coast, they can land without any interference from us. We haven’t a sufficient land force to send a part down there to stop them. The ships they have left in the lower harbor are enough to prevent our fleet from following them, and there isn’t water enough for our craft to slip out this back way. So they can take their time, and disembark the troops without fear of being disturbed by us.”
“I believe you are right,” the lieutenant responded. “Sir Henry Clinton has got his thinking cap on at last. Well, this is so different from what our Commodore expected I will send you back to report. Meantime I will follow the enemy down the shore.”
“And shall I return to you with the new orders?”
“Certainly, if there are any.”
Up the creek and down to the flagship I went as fast as a dozen stout arms could pull the yawl. Commodore Whipple was at the railing when I reached the side of the vessel, and returning my salute, said:
“Report right where you are, Midshipman. What have you discovered?”