How the remainder of that day passed I cannot well say; but the hours dragged as if they would never come to an end, and there were times when I could have sworn the sun stood still in the heavens. We were not inclined for conversation; there was nothing with which to occupy our hands, save we were minded to cook dinner, and under the circumstances our stomachs revolted at the thought of food. We moped in the cockpit and in the cuddy like a lot of sick chickens, and when finally the night shut in, bringing a gusty wind with scurrying clouds which told of thunder showers, we were more relieved in mind than I can well describe. “It seems that we are to have it our way at the start,” Seth Hartley said as he stood well forward peering into the gathering gloom in the direction of Governor’s Island. “If the makin’s of this night had been left to ourselves, we could not have cut out a better one for the purpose. I’m thinkin’ that a cruise down through the fleet will be quick an’ easy with all the wind the sloop can stand up under.” It would have been a relief to all of us if we could have set off at that moment, for the suspense of waiting was far more trying than the danger of the venture; but yet we know without speculating upon it, that it would not be well to come upon the fleet in the early evening, unless peradventure there were signs that the threatening clouds might be dispersed, and Seth Hartley voiced the opinion of all when he said in the tone of one who asks a question: “I’m thinkin’ it will be wiser for us to make a start nearabout midnight, if so be there is no change in the weather, an’ with this wind the run from here to whatsoever part of the island you count on landin’, will be a short one.” “I see no reason why we should not strike the shore at the first point where it may be done,” Abe said thoughtfully. “If we could get into Gowanus cove we might sail up the creek a long distance, an’ thus save us much foot travel.” “Ay, an’ the chances are that the king’s ships will be nearabout us,” Sam suggested, and Seth Hartley replied grimly: “No more in one place than another, an’ if you who know the island believe it were better for us to make up the creek, then accordin’ to my mind there is no more danger in that venture than any other. Therefore let us decide before startin’ that we will put in at the place you have named.” The evening passed yet more slowly than had the day; but we gathered a little hope each moment because the threatening clouds, instead of dispersing, were gathering more thickly, and the wind came now and then in such volume as told that before daybreak the craft which ventured out of the harbor would do so under close-reefed canvas.