The "Sea Witch," whatever her business in this harbor, seemed able to
transact it without venturing inside the forts, or taking stronger
moorings than a single anchor could afford her. At this she rode with
mysterious quiet. Not a soul of the full complement of men on board were
visible from the shore; now and then perhaps the head of some taller
hand than his fellows might loom up above the bulwarks at the waist, or
a solitary seaman creep quietly aloft to reave a sheet through some
block, or secure some portion of the rigging. The captain scarcely
waited for his land-tackle to hold the vessel before a quarter-boat was
lowered away, and with a half-dozen sturdy fellows as its crew pulled
boldly towards the main landing, where he stepped ashore and
disappeared.

A suspicious eye would have marked the manner in which the sails upon
the "Sea Witch" had been secured, and the way in which she was moored.
If need be, three minutes would have covered her with canvass, and
slipping her cable she could in that space of time, had the order been
issued from her quarter deck, have been under way and looking once more
seaward. Whatever her business, it was very clear that promptness,
secrecy, and large precaution were elements of its success.

Nor had these characteristics, which we have named, escaped entire
observation of the people on shore, for at the nearest point of land a
group of idlers were visible, who stood gazing at and discussing the
character of the vessel, while at the same moment her young commander
was seen with his boat's crew pulling back from the landing to his
craft. His business was brief enough, for even now the anchor is once
more away. The gallant ship spreads her broad wings one by one, and
gracefully bending to the power of the breeze, glides, like a fleet