The greatest difficulty would be with the horses.
Ned, at the head of Old Jack, led the way.
Old Jack made the descent without slipping and in a few minutes the entire force stood upon the sand.

They had made no sound that any one could have heard thirty yards away.
"Now Mr.Roylston," whispered the Panther to the merchant, "you get on Ned's horse an' we'll be off." Roylston sighed.

It hurt his pride that he should be a burden, but he was a man of few words, and he mounted in silence.

Then they moved slowly over the soft sand.

They had loaded the extra rifles and muskets on the other two horses, but every man remained thoroughly armed and ready on the instant for any emergency.
The Panther and Obed led.