"Row quietly.

I will stand up, as if I were watching the shore." As soon as the shot was fired, it was answered by shots from other sentries.

A minute later, a drum was heard to beat sharply, and then, in the faint light, a number of French soldiers could be seen, running at full speed towards the shore.

The shots fell thickly round the boat, and one of the men dropped his oar, as a bullet struck him on the shoulder.
"Pull out the plugs," James said.
The oakum was pulled out and thrown overboard, and the water rushed in.
"Now turn her head from the shore, as if we were trying to escape." So rapidly did the water rush in through the four holes that, in a minute, the gunwale was nearly level with the water.
"Turn her over now," James said, and in a moment the boat was upset, and the men clinging to the bottom.
A shout of exultation rose from the shore, as the boat was seen to upset, and the firing at once ceased.
"Swim towards the shore, and push the boat before you," the young midshipman said.

"They won't fire any more now, and we have finished the first part of our business." Pushing the boat before them, the men made their way slowly towards the shore, striking the land half a mile below the point where they had overturned.