But, after all, it was built of wattles thinly plastered with mud, and its door was composed of bamboos, through which sound passed very easily.

Though the stockade was locked for the night, and all within it asleep by now--it was after midnight--yet a prowling overseer was not impossible, and a sound of voices must lead to discovery.

Pitt realized this, and controlled his outburst of emotion.
Sitting close thereafter they talked in whispers for an hour or more, and all the while those dulled wits of Pitt's were sharpening themselves anew upon this precious whetstone of hope.

They would need to recruit others into their enterprise, a half-dozen at least, a half-score if possible, but no more than that.

They must pick the best out of that score of survivors of the Monmouth men that Colonel Bishop had acquired.
Men who understood the sea were desirable.