We have been expecting an attack every minute.
There have been three or four shore boats going off to the
brigantine within the last quarter of an hour."
"I am going to be beforehand with them, Hawkins."
"They've got both those guns pointing this way, sir."
"I am not coming from this way to attack them, Hawkins. I am going
to put all hands in that native craft I came in, row off a little
distance from this side, then make a circuit, and come down on the
other side of them. I will leave George Lechmere here with four
men, with three muskets apiece, so that if they should start before
we get there they can keep them off until we arrive. If I can get a
few of the boatmen to enlist I will do so."
He spoke to Dominique, who went to the side and asked:
"If any of you are disposed to stop here to guard the craft for a
quarter of an hour, in case she is attacked, the gentleman here
will pay twenty dollars a man; but remember that you may have to
fight."
The whole crew rose. Twenty dollars was a fortune to them.
"Come on board, then," Dominique said.
"I don't know whether these fellows are to be trusted, George, but
I hope you won't be attacked.
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