“The British are landing in a small cove almost opposite this, and not over a mile away,” the officer said, between his mouthfuls of food. “As soon as a regiment is landed, it crosses over to the main shore and goes into camp. It will take them some hours to complete the task. We’ll go over again after a while.”
Two or three hours later he announced that he was ready, and together we made our way through the woods to the south side of the island. Before we reached there we could plainly hear the sounds of the disembarking, and my comrade remarked in a low tone:
“They are not through yet.”
We were soon where we could see all that was going on, and there we lay for a long time watching the constantly changing scene. It was night before the last company was landed, and the order was given for the empty transports to return to Charleston harbor under the escort of the attending men-of-war.
“We may as well return to our boats,” the lieutenant now said, rising and leading the way back through the underbrush. When at the cove, he continued:
“You made the first report. I will make this one, while you and your men remain here to see what movement the red-coats make in the morning.”
“All right,” I assented, and then stood there watching until his yawl had been lost in the darkness which was fast falling.
CHAPTER XVII
TAKEN INTO THE BRITISH CAMP
I stood there, as I have said, watching the disappearance of Lieutenant Haines’s boat, but I was also listening. During my conversation with him I was quite sure that I had heard a stealthy step in the woods back of me. Doubtless someone from the camp of the enemy had discovered and was now watching us. If so, they must be apprehended, but how?
Debating this question in my own mind without acquainting my companions with my suspicions, I gave orders to prepare our camp for the night. Our yawl was drawn out of the water, and carried a few rods up from the shore. There it was propped up by stones some two feet above the ground. Thus it furnished a good roof for a temporary cabin, whose sides were constructed from brush brought from the edge of the forest. In front of this we kindled a small fire and began our preparations for supper.