Mr Sawbridge had the command of the expedition in the pinnace; the first cutter was in charge of the gunner, Mr Linus; and, as the other officers were sick, Mr Sawbridge, who liked Jack more and more every day, at his particular request gave him the command of the second cutter.

As soon as he heard of it, Mesty declared to our hero that he would go with him; but without permission that was not possible.

Jack obtained leave for Mesty to go in lieu of a marine; there were many men sick of the dysentery, and Mr Sawbridge was not sorry to take an idler out of the ship instead of a working man, especially as Mesty was known to be a good hand.
It was ten o'clock at night when the boats quitted the ship; and, as it was possible that they might not return till late the next day, one day's biscuit and rum were put on board each, that the crews might not suffer from exhaustion.

The boats pulled in-shore, and then coasted for three hours without seeing anything: the night was fine overhead, but there was no moon.

It still continued calm, and the men began to feel fatigued, when, just as they were within a mile of a low point, they perceived the convoy over the land, coming down with their sails squared, before a light breeze.
Mr Sawbridge immediately ordered the boats to lie upon their oars, awaiting their coming, and arranging for the attack.
The white lateen sails of the gun-boat in advance were now plainly distinguishable from the rest, which were all huddled together in her wake.