Indeed, Stewart, as is often the case with aged persons, remarked that his memory of occurrences a half century old was unerring, while of quite recent incidents it was unreliable.
It was comparatively early in the evening when the ketch got under way with a favoring breeze.

Stewart, with the _Siren_, by order of Preble, stood toward the northern passage, through which the ketch was to pass.
His purpose was to remain in as close as was safe, and hold himself ready to pick up the men as they returned in their boats.

Stewart turned his night glass toward the _Intrepid_ and watched her slowly fading from sight, until she melted into the gloom and not the slightest trace of her outlines was discernible.
Nothing could be more trying than the waiting of the craft outside, for Somers' own vessel and two small ones were near at hand.

The stillness was so profound that men heard the suppressed breathing of their comrades.

If one moved, he did so on tiptoe.