CHAPTER 4: The Pirates Of The Pacific.
A regular watch was set, both on the plateau and on board ship.
Towards morning, one of the watch on board hailed the officer above: "I have fancied, sir, for some time, that I heard noises.

It seems to me like the splash of a very large number of oars." "I have heard nothing," the officer said; "but you might hear sounds down there, coming along on the water, before I do.

I will go down to the water's edge, and listen." He did so, and was at once convinced that the man's ears had not deceived him.

Although the night was perfectly still, and not a breath of wind was stirring, he heard a low rustling sound, like that of the wind passing through the dried leaves of a forest, in autumn.
"You are right, Johnson, there is something going on out at sea, beyond the mouth of the bay.

I will call the captain, at once." Captain Thompson, on being aroused, also went down to the waterside to listen; and at once ordered the whole party to get under arms.