The risk of detection, so that they made little noise, was negligible.

Beyond locking them all into that stockade at night, there was no great precaution taken.

Where, after all, could any so foolish as to attempt escape hope to conceal himself in that island?
The chief risk lay in discovery by those of their companions who were to be left behind.

It was because of these that they must go cautiously and in silence.
The day that was to have been their last in Barbados was a day of hope and anxiety to the twelve associates in that enterprise, no less than to Nuttall in the town below.
Towards sunset, having seen Nuttall depart to purchase and fetch the sloop to the prearranged moorings at the wharf, Peter Blood came sauntering towards the stockade, just as the slaves were being driven in from the fields.

He stood aside at the entrance to let them pass, and beyond the message of hope flashed by his eyes, he held no communication with them.
He entered the stockade in their wake, and as they broke their ranks to seek their various respective huts, he beheld Colonel Bishop in talk with Kent, the overseer.