The Arrival at Kent Island

I was called upon to do full share of standing guard, as was to be expected, and because my time of duty ended at midnight, I yet remained in the small cabin sleeping, when, just as the day broke, we came to anchor close under the southerly end of Kent Island.

Already had our breakfast been cooked, and we were bidden to eat quickly, that there might be no delay on our part in the landing.

Nor did we of the pinnace keep Captain Cornwallis waiting, for the instant the signal to go ashore was shown from the Dove, our shallops were alongside, and we tumbled into them.

It so chanced that when we were drawn up in line to prepare for the work of day, my station was less than six paces, behind my father, and it is not possible for me to say, in such words that it may be thoroughly understood, how much I was heartened by such close companionship with him whom I loved most dearly.

As silently as might be, with no word spoken in the line, and under orders that never a gun should be discharged whatever the provocation, until due command had been given, we marched a full mile from our place of landing, to the palisade which William Claiborne called his fort, arriving there without having, so far as we knew, disturbed any of the people on the island.