"I can see soldiers coming down the landing-stairs." And, in fact, boats full of armed men began to push off to the ships.
"We may thank Heaven," said Drew, "that we were not here two hours agone.

The sun will be down before they are ready for sea, and the fellows will have no stomach to go looking for us by night." "So much the worse for us.

If they will but do that, we may give them the slip, and back again to the town, and there try our luck; for I cannot find it in my heart to leave the place without having one dash at it." Yeo shook his head.

"There are plenty more towns along the coast more worth trying than this, sir: but Heaven's will be done!" And as they spoke, the sun plunged into the sea, and all was dark.
At last it was agreed to anchor, and wait till midnight.

If the ships of war came out, they were to try to run in past them, and, desperate as the attempt might be, attempt their original plan of landing to the westward of the town, taking it in flank, plundering the government storehouses, which they saw close to the landing-place, and then fighting their way back to their boats, and out of the roadstead.