The outlines of the buildings could be discerned, and Amblen soon declared that he could make out the tops of the masts of several vessels to the westward of the point with which the peninsula terminated.

This looked hopeful, and indicated that the information upon which the expedition had been sent out was correct.

Christy began to think he should have a busy night before him when Amblen said there were at least three vessels at the port.
The battery was first to be visited and cared for if there was one, and it was not probable that a place so open to the operations of the blockading force would be without one, especially if the people were actually engaged in loading cotton, as the masts of the vessels indicated, though the hulls could not yet be seen.

As the first cutter approached nearer to the place the outlines became more distinct, and soon embodied themselves into definite objects.

Both officers in the stern sheets watched with the most anxious vigilance for any moving object denoting the presence of life and intelligence.
As the boats came nearer to the shore, a breeze sprang up, and cooled the air, for early as it was in the season, the weather was very warm, and it was not uncommon for the thermometer to rise above ninety.