For if morning dawned with its guns on our lee-side and the two enemies to windward, there was little chance of getting out of the dilemma.
The lieutenant in charge of the first boat selected me among his crew.
With cutlasses and pistols in our belts, a coil of rope over our shoulders, and spiking gear handy, we took our places silently, and waited impatiently for the dark.

The sun as usual in those parts toppled down suddenly into the sea, and almost before the last edge of his orb dipped, we were on our way for the shore.

Our only difficulty in landing was the heavy surf, which nearly stove in our boat.

We managed to beach it, however, without much damage, and then started at a run for our destination.
Before we reached it we heard shouts and the sharp crack of muskets, which told us our manoeuvre had been detected and prepared for.
Then followed a regular race, led by the officers.

While some fell, others would get in; but that we should all return to the _Diana_ was not to be hoped for.
The guns of the fort were so placed that once under them they could do little harm.