The count gave seventeen men as the number of sleepers, though this might not be all the force at the place.
He had ascertained all he wished to know, and he walked back to the shore where the men were concealed.

Apart from the men, he had a conference with Flint and Amblen, giving them the details of what he had discovered.

Then he stated his plan, and the men were marched silently to the battery, and were posted behind the breastwork.

Not a man was allowed to move, and Christy and Flint went to the casemate, which looked like a mound of sand.
It was locked, but taking a bar of iron they found with some tools for digging, they tore off the padlock.

A lantern had been brought from the steamer, which was lighted.