Awhile those piraguas were hidden from view behind
the hulls. Then one by one they reappeared, rowing round and away
from the ships, and each boat, he observed, was crowded with armed
men. Thus laden, they were headed for the shore, at a point where
it was densely wooded to the water's edge. The eyes of the
wondering Admiral followed them until the foliage screened them from
his view.
Then he lowered his telescope and looked at his officers.
"What the devil does it mean?" he asked.
None answered him, all being as puzzled as he was himself.
After a little while, Esteban, who kept his eyes on the water,
plucked at his uncle's sleeve. "There they go!" he cried, and
pointed.
And there, indeed, went the piraguas on their way back to the ships.
But now it was observed that they were empty, save for the men who
rowed them. Their armed cargo had been left ashore.
Back to the ships they pulled, to return again presently with a
fresh load of armed men, which similarly they conveyed to Palomas.
And at last one of the Spanish officers ventured an explanation:
"They are going to attack us by land - to attempt to storm the fort.
Pages:
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340