We were coming very near the settlement
where the people of Silver-Store were to be left, and from which we
Marines were under orders to return to Belize.
Captain Carton had, in the boat by him, a curious long-barrelled Spanish
gun, and he had said to Miss Maryon one day that it was the best of guns,
and had turned his head to me, and said:
"Gill Davis, load her fresh with a couple of slugs, against a chance of
showing how good she is."
So, I had discharged the gun over the sea, and had loaded her, according
to orders, and there it had lain at the Captain's feet, convenient to the
Captain's hand.
The last day but one of our journey was an uncommonly hot day. We
started very early; but, there was no cool air on the sea as the day got
on, and by noon the heat was really hard to bear, considering that there
were women and children to bear it. Now, we happened to open, just at
that time, a very pleasant little cove or bay, where there was a deep
shade from a great growth of trees. Now, the Captain, therefore, made
the signal to the other boats to follow him in and lie by a while.
The men who were off duty went ashore, and lay down, but were ordered,
for caution's sake, not to stray, and to keep within view.
Pages:
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87