But though this intention was frustrated, he did not renounce his plan, for the present would be his last opportunity.
As the night wore on, and the ship, with a very light wind, glided nigher and nigher the mark, Paul called upon Israel to produce his bucket for final inspection.

Thinking some of the spikes too large, he had them filed down a little.

He saw to the lanterns and combustibles.
Like Peter the Great, he went into the smallest details, while still possessing a genius competent to plan the aggregate.

But oversee as one may, it is impossible to guard against carelessness in subordinates.
One's sharp eyes can't see behind one's back.

It will yet be noted that an important omission was made in the preparations for Whitehaven.
The town contained, at that period, a population of some six or seven thousand inhabitants, defended by forts.
At midnight, Paul Jones, Israel Potter, and twenty-nine others, rowed in two boats to attack the six or seven thousand inhabitants of Whitehaven.
There was a long way to pull.