If we should miss her, I shall at the first dawn of morning join the others in the offing, and keep watch till she appears from under the shadow of the land." It was now three o'clock in the morning, and an hour later the three vessels parted company, and the galley with the governor and commander of the squadron rowed for the shore.

When they came close to the land, the captain ordered the oars to be laid in.
"The breeze is very light," he said; "but it is favourable, and will enable us to creep along the shore.

If we continue rowing, those in charge of the ship may hear us coming, and may cut their cables, get up sail, and make out from the land without our seeing them.

On a still night, like this, the sound of the sweeps can be heard a very long distance." Quietly the vessel made her way along the shore.

Over the land, the sky was red with the reflection of numerous fires, but this only made the darkness more intense under its shadow, and the lead was kept going in order to prevent them from sailing into shallow water.