in great force all round its edge. Towards evening all on shore
returned to the ship. As soon as it became absolutely dark, the
anchor chain was unshackled, and a buoy being attached to the end,
it was noiselessly lowered into the water. Then the screw began to
revolve, and the vessel gradually backed down the river. All lights
had been extinguished, and no sound from the forest showed that the
movement had been observed. A mile lower down the ship was turned,
the screw began to revolve more rapidly, and at half speed she ran
down to the junction of the two branches of the river, and steamed
up the other arm until within half a mile or so of the village at
the mouth of the creek. Then a light anchor was let go, the boats
were lowered, and the landing party took their places in them; the
oars were all muffled, and keeping close to the right bank of the
river, they rowed up until past the village, and then crossing,
entered the mouth of the creek, and rowed up it until they reached
the spot where the landing had been effected on the previous night.

Half a dozen men provided with well greased saws first landed under
Dick Balderson's command, and cleared a passage six feet wide to
the path; then the landing began in earnest. The guns were first put
on shore, and carried bodily to the path; the rest of the marines
and the bluejackets then landed, each carrying, in addition to his
arms and ammunition, a gun cartridge, or a box of rifle ammunition,
and a couple of empty sacks. As fast as they landed they proceeded
up the path. Dick Balderson led the way, and the men were directed
to step as closely as they could to each other. As they arrived near
the pool, each deposited his burden, and then went back to assist
to drag up the guns and carriages.

Scarcely a sound was heard during the operation. Their feet fell