The night was happily obscure, the water smooth.

We showed, according to instructions, no light on deck: only a red lantern dropped from either cathead to within a couple of feet of the water.

A lookout was stationed on the bowsprit end, another in the crosstrees; and the whole ship's company crowded forward, scouting for enemies or friends.

It was now the crucial moment of our enterprise; we were now risking liberty and credit; and that for a sum so small to a man in my bankrupt situation, that I could have laughed aloud in bitterness.

But the piece had been arranged, and we must play it to the finish.
For some while, we saw nothing but the dark mountain outline of the island, the torches of native fishermen glittering here and there along the foreshore, and right in the midst that cluster of brave lights with which the town of Honolulu advertises itself to the seaward.