Then there was a further delay, while their indefatigable scouts brought milk and water, some coarse bread, and a good supply of fruit from the hut.

It was part of their scheme that they should give their friend's habitation a wide berth.

If their plans miscarried he was instructed to say that he had found the English lady wandering on the shore soon after daybreak.

In any event, there would be no evidence that he had entertained the invaders in his hovel; otherwise, he would lose the first-class badge that permitted him, a convict, to dwell apart with his wife and daughter.
It was with the utmost difficulty that the men could be restrained from expressing their delight when they were given water and milk to drink.
The water was poor, brackish stuff; the milk was sour and had lost every particle of cream; yet they deemed each a nectar of rank, and even the miserable Watts, who had long ago ascertained that the rustlings in the herbage were caused by countless numbers of rats and mice, was ready to acclaim beverages which he was too apt to despise.
About midnight there was a bright moon sailing overhead, and De Sylva gave a low order that they were to form in Indian file.

Marcel led, the ex-President himself followed, with San Benavides, Coke, and Hozier in close proximity.