The French were brave, and he would not be ill-treated, but he had other things to do.

He withdrew a little farther into the undergrowth.

The door of welcome was open now only a few inches, and he was peering out at the crack, every faculty alive and ready to take the alarm.
The boat drew closer, grounded on the beach, and the men, leaping out, dragged it beyond the reach of the low waves that were coming in.

Then, in a close group, they walked toward the forest, looking about curiously.

They were armed heavily, and every one of them had a drawn weapon in his hand, sword or pistol.