It seemed to come in banks that were continually in motion.

The men who were to go to the shore had all been instructed, and at precisely ten o'clock they were seated in the whaleboat, with Mr.Graines in the stern sheets.

They were all armed with two revolvers apiece, and there was a cutlass for each in the boat.
The men had not only changed their dress, but they had disguised themselves, smooching their faces with coal dust, and tearing their garments till they were in tatters.
Christy had dressed himself in his old garments, but added to them a gray coat he had obtained on board of a prize.

The watch on deck had been ordered to the forecastle, so that they need not too closely observe the crew of the whaleboat.

The chief of the expedition had quietly descended to the platform of the after gangway, and when the boat dropped astern, he stepped into it, selecting his place by the side of the engineer, who had taken the tiller lines.