Under slow speed astern the launch joined Lieutenant Cantor's craft.
"I'm glad that I'm to have you on shore tonight with me, Coxswain," said Dave, heartily.
"Thank you, sir," answered the coxswain, saluting and actually blushing with pleasure.
Soon after Dan's launch ranged up with the other two, and the "_Long Island_" was vanishing in the distance ahead, not a light showing, for it is the privilege of the commander of a war vessel to sail without lights, when the interests of the services may be furthered thereby.

Nor did any of the launches display lights.
As each of the boats was to run at slow speed, it was hoped that each landing party would reach shore without detection.
Lieutenant Cantor went over the instructions once more, talking in low tones across the water.
"And above all, remember that there is to be no fighting," Cantor added, impressively, looking straight into Darrin's eyes.
"Punk orders, when each man is provided with a hundred rounds of rifle ammunition, and when each automatic gun is supplied with two thousand rounds!" grumbled Coxswain Riley, under his breath.
"Gentlemen, you will now get under way," ordered Lieutenant Cantor.
"You will remember each sentence of your instructions!" Silently, two of the launches stole away into the night, bound east and west, while the third launch awaited the time to start shoreward.
On Darrin's launch there was little talking, and that in whispers.
Dave had made a most careful study of the map, and felt certain that he could give the course straight into the lagoon on which the Acunda mill stood.
"Coxswain Schmidt," said Ensign Darrin, in a low voice, when still some four miles away from the proposed place of landing, "when you are close enough to shore to signal the engineer, you will do so by hand signal, not by use of the bell.

Seaman Berne will watch for your signals, and convey them to the engineer." "Very good, sir," replied both coxswain and seaman.
"Probably it won't be my luck to find the American captives at the Acunda plantation," murmured Darrin.
None the less, when he at last sighted the lagoon, his heart began to beat excitedly.
Under reduced speed, now, the launch stole into the lagoon.

Less than a quarter of a mile from shore the sugar mill, deserted since the rebellion first took acute form, stood out dimly against the dark sky.
To within a hundred and fifty yards of the mill the launch ran, then swung in at a nearly ruined old wharf.
Ensign Dave Darrin was first to step ashore, signing to his men to follow him with all stealth.
"Corporal," Darrin whispered, "unless summoned later, you will stand by the launch with your men, to prevent it being rushed in case the bandits are abroad to-night.

Coxswain Riley, you will form your men loosely and follow me, keeping about a hundred yards to the rear, making no sound as you advance." Officer and men were all in dark uniforms, which in the blackness of the night would not be seen at any distance, whereas the white tropical uniforms would have immediately betrayed the raiders.
About seven hundred feet beyond the sugar mill Darrin had already located the house.