Captain Transom, immediately on being informed how matters stood, with
seamanlike promptitude determined to lighten the Gleam, and send her in
with the boats, for the purpose of destroying the haunt of the pirates,
and recovering the men, if they were still alive; but before any thing
could be done, it came on to blow, and for a week we had great
difficulty in maintaining our position off the coast against the
strength of the gale and lee current.
It was on the Sunday morning after I had escaped that it moderated
sufficiently for our purpose, when both vessels stood close in, and
Peter and I were sent to reconnoitre the entrance of the port in the
gig. Having sounded and taken the bearings of the land, we returned on
board, when the Gleam's provisions were taken out and her water started.
The ballast was then shifted, so as to bring her by the head, that she
might thus draw less water by being on an even keel, all sharp vessels
of her class requiring much deeper water aft than forward; the
corvette's launch, with a I2--pound carronade fitted, was then manned
and armed with thirty seamen and marines, under the command of the
second lieutenant; the jolly boat and the two quarter boats, each with
twelve men, followed in a string, under the third lieutenant, the
master, and the senior midshipman; thirty picked hands were added to the
schooner's crew, and I was desired to take the gig with six smart hands
and Peter Mangrove, and to accompany the whole as pilot; but to pull out
of danger so soon as the action commenced, so as to be ready to help any
disabled boat, or to carry orders from the commanding officer.
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