When he reached the breakers again, an avalanche of guano had covered his dress.

He hurriedly searched up and down the beach until he discovered one foot of the rubber pantaloons sticking out from under the guano.

He pulled it out and was soon paddling across the gut again.

As he ran under the cliff where the sloop had been anchored, he could not see her; but as he rose on the waves he discovered her nearly out of sight, standing away for the mainland, with all canvas spread.

The crew had heard the firing, had weighed anchor and sailed for the protection of their own guns, under the impression that their Captain had been killed; in fact, such was the report they made on their arrival at Lima.
Appreciating the fact that he would surely be discovered by the enemy if he attempted to paddle to the mainland in the dress; if not during the night, certainly in the morning, for he could not hope to reach safely before daylight revealed him.