After it had gone a few hundred yards, the grapnel was got up, the men took to their oars and followed the gondola, keeping so far behind that it would not seem there was any connection between them.
Francis made for the narrow channel which separated San Nicolo from the next island, and then directed the gondola to be run ashore, where a low sand hill, close by, hid them from the sight of anyone on the lookout.

A few minutes later the ship's boat arrived.
Francis now led the way direct for the hut, accompanied by Polani and six men, while four sailors advanced, at a distance of a hundred yards on either flank, to cut off anyone making for the water.
"We may as well go fast," he said, "for we can scarcely get there without being seen by a lookout, should there be one on the sand hills, and the distance is so short that there will be no possibility of their carrying your daughters off, before we get there." "The faster the better," the merchant said.

"This suspense is terrible." Accordingly, the party started at a brisk run.

Francis kept his eyes on the spot where he believed the hut lay.
"I see no one anywhere near there," he said, as they came over one of the sand ridges.

"Had there been anyone on the watch I think we should see him now." On they ran, until, passing over one of the sand hills, Francis came to a standstill.