The same means were adopted in
replying; and one end of the rope remaining attached to
the schooner, all that was necessary was to solder up
the tube as before, and throw it over the ramparts upon
the sands, whence it was immediately pulled over her side
by the watchful mariners.
As the dispatch conveyed to the garrison, among other
subjects of interest, bore the unwelcome intelligence
that the supplies of the crew were nearly expended, an
arrangement was proposed by which, at stated intervals,
a more immediate communication with the former might be
effected. Whenever, therefore, the wind permitted, the
vessel was kept hovering in sight during the day, beneath
the eyes of the savages, and on the approach of evening
an unshotted gun was discharged, with a view of drawing
their attention more immediately to her movements; every
sail was then set, and under a cloud of canvass the course
of the schooner was directed towards the source of the
Sinclair, as if an attempt to accomplish that passage
was to be made during the night. No sooner, however,
had the darkness fairly set in, than the vessel was put
about, and, beating against the wind, generally contrived
to reach the offing at a stated hour, when a boat, provided
with muffled oars, was sent off to the shore.
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