The order of their going was as follows: Ahead went the improvised
fire-ship in charge of Wolverstone, with a crew of six volunteers,
each of whom was to have a hundred pieces of eight over and above
his share of plunder as a special reward. Next came the Arabella.
She was followed at a distance by the Elizabeth, commanded by
Hagthorpe, with whom was the now shipless Cahusac and the bulk of
his French followers. The rear was brought up by the second sloop
and some eight canoes, aboard of which had been shipped the
prisoners, the slaves, and most of the captured merchandise. The
prisoners were all pinioned, and guarded by four buccaneers with
musketoons who manned these boats in addition to the two fellows
who were to sail them. Their place was to be in the rear and they
were to take no part whatever in the coming fight.
As the first glimmerings of opalescent dawn dissolved the darkness,
the straining eyes of the buccaneers were able to make out the tall
rigging of the Spanish vessels, riding at anchor less than a quarter
of a mile ahead.
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