Charlie had ordered that, in case they should see that the ships had drawn off from the position they occupied on the preceding day, they should return without attempting to carry out their task.
He himself, with Tim, joined the sailors; and, first ascending the ramparts and seeing that the ships were still at anchor, abreast of the fort, he and his comrades strolled across the interior of the fort, in the direction of the magazine.

They did not keep together, nor did all move directly towards the position which they wished to gain.
The place was already astir.

Large numbers of the pirates thronged the interior.

Groups were squatted round fires, busy in cooking their breakfasts.

Numbers were coming from the magazine, with powder to fill up the small magazines on the walls.