Their purpose was to bring the wounded Kloof ashore.

Even though Kloof's oversight of the stowaway had wrecked the expedition, and though Kloof would probably be executed in due time, common humanity dictated succoring him.
The volunteers returned, after a hard fight, with a body past any human judgments.

Kloof, Daimamoto, Sheffield, and Beziers, all of whom had lost their lives in the battle with the Beni Harb, were soon buried on the beach by the hungry, thirsty, sand-penetrated Legionaries.

The shallow graves were piled with driftwood--rocks there were none, even in the wady, which' was of clay and gravel--and so, protected as best might be from beasts and birds, four of the Legion entered their long homes.

The only ceremony over the fallen adventurers was the firing of a volley of six pistol-shots.
Swiftly returning heat, and a plague of black flies that poisoned with every bite, warned the Legionaries not to delay.