It was safer far to keep close guard over their charges, and see that they remained out of sight.
We had unloaded perhaps a quarter of our supplies, when an officer suddenly appeared over the crest of the bank and hailed the captain.
There was a tone of authority in his voice which caused us to knock off work and listen.
"Is Captain Corcoran there?
Oh, you are Captain Corcoran.

Well, I bring orders from headquarters.

You are to discontinue unloading, Captain, retain the remainder of the provisions on board, and prepare at once to take on men.

What's your capacity ?" "Take on men?
Soldiers, you mean ?" "Exactly; we've got to find quarters for about seven hundred.

Two of those boats up yonder will take horses.