The three boats of the ship were lowered, and the sailors and soldiers took their places; only two or three being left on board ship, as there was no fear, whatever, of an attack from the shore during the night.

Ned took his place in the leading boat of the captain, and acted as guide.

They coasted along at a short distance from the land, until Ned told them to cease rowing.
"We must," he said, "be close to the spot now; but it is needful that one boat should go forward, and find the exact entrance to the creek." Rowing very quietly, the boat in which he was advanced, until within a few yards of the shore; and then proceeded quietly along, for a distance of a few hundred yards, when the black line of shore disappeared, and a streak of water was seen stretching inland.
Quietly they rowed back to the other two boats, and the three advancing, entered the creek together.
Before starting, each officer had been assigned his work.

The crew of one of the boats, consisting principally of soldiers, were to land, to advance a short distance inland, and to repulse any attacks that the natives might make upon them.

Another party were to stave in all the small canoes and, this done, they were to assist the third boat's crew in launching the war canoes into the water.
As they approached the spot they were hailed, in the Indian tongue, by someone on shore.