Vaudelier had cautioned them
to avoid all noise, and not to fire a rifle unless absolutely necessary.
He had also instructed them to make prisoners of the assailants, if
possible, without injuring them.
Jerry Swinger stationed his party near the avenue, ready to spring upon
and overpower the foe, when the favorable moment should arrive.
An hour passed by, and the impatience of the ambushed woodmen seemed
likely to give their faithful leader some trouble, when the careful dip
of oars near the shore saluted their ears. In a whisper Jerry gave the
oft-repeated caution for silence, and charged them to be prompt when the
moment came.
The assaulting party approached the shore. There were two boats, the
foremost of which contained eight men, under the direction of Maxwell,
and the other six, led by Vernon. The latter had reconnoitred the island
several times, and had somewhat modified the plan of the attack, on
discovering that the cottage, for the past two nights, had been occupied
by more than its usual occupants. Several men had been seen to land
there; but, as his preparations on the lower part of the island were
undisturbed, it never occurred to him that his purpose would be
anticipated.
Pages:
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323