Now, lads, you are each to take a glass of this; it will protect you against the effect of the mist on the river.

You can show the lantern now; it is just as well that they should see it if they are on the lookout." Every man took his glass of the mixture.
"Now wrap yourselves in your blankets, lads, and lie down for a couple of hours' sleep." After a minute or two's scuffling while each found a plank to suit him, all was quiet in the boat.

Dick, who felt far too excited over the events of the night to be sleepy, had volunteered to keep watch, and, lighting another pipe at the lantern, smoked till it was broad daylight.
Then he roused the crew, and in less than two hours afterwards they rowed alongside the Serpent.

The captain was greatly pleased with Mr.
Ferguson's report.
"It is unlucky about that bar in the creek, otherwise we might have taken the ship right into the pool, and fought it out with them there.
Still, it may be that this will be the best in the end, for we could hardly have counted upon sinking the whole of them, and once past us they would have been off like the wind; and though we might have followed some of them, the others would have made off, some one way and some another, whereas, by laying the vessel across the mouth of the creek, we have a good chance of catching them all as they come down.
There is no doubt a lot more fellows have arrived to help the rajah; we can see that there are a great many more about on the shore than there have been before.

I think things will come to a crisis before many hours have passed.