If
the appearance of the streets is any sign, there must be quite a force
of them in the place." But every one laughed at the very idea of there
being a rebel company of any consequence in the place, and the admiral
was finally prevailed upon to send a boat ashore, armed with thirty
men.
"Remember," he said, "if you come to grief, that I advised against
this venture. Don't be too bold, or risk too much, for though I can
shell the place, that won't help you any, once you are captives."
But every one was anxious to be one of the party in the boat, and the
officers had a hard time making selections. "You can go, Archie,
because you're a correspondent," said the captain, "and you can go,
Mr. Hickson, because you're a brave man," and then he continued to
pick out men until the required number was secured. Of course there
were many disappointed ones left aboard the cruiser, but the captain
assured them that they might have their chance yet.
The boat was soon off, and it was noticed that there was great
excitement ashore as soon as the departure was observed. All the
inhabitants, it seemed, were gathered upon the beach, anxiously
awaiting developments. They seemed to be absolutely ignorant of what
the presence of a war-ship in their harbour meant, and were apparently
not at all anxious as to the outcome of this visit. One of the men
told Archie that they had probably never seen a war-ship before, and
that they wouldn't know a cannon at all.
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