For so many men, excited as they were by the anticipation of a conflict, they were remarkably quiet and orderly.  Dr. Vaudelier had cautioned them to avoid all noise, and not to fire a rifle unless absolutely necessary.  He had also instructed them to make prisoners of the assailants, if possible, without injuring them.

Jerry Swinger stationed his party near the avenue, ready to spring upon and overpower the foe, when the favorable moment should arrive.

An hour passed by, and the impatience of the ambushed woodmen seemed likely to give their faithful leader some trouble, when the careful dip of oars near the shore saluted their ears.  In a whisper Jerry gave the oft-repeated caution for silence, and charged them to be prompt when the moment came.

The assaulting party approached the shore.  There were two boats, the foremost of which contained eight men, under the direction of Maxwell, and the other six, led by Vernon.  The latter had reconnoitred the island several times, and had somewhat modified the plan of the attack, on discovering that the cottage, for the past two nights, had been occupied by more than its usual occupants.  Several men had been seen to land there; but, as his preparations on the lower part of the island were undisturbed, it never occurred to him that his purpose would be anticipated.

Vernon had procured the services of fourteen men, chicken-thieves, and others of desperate fortunes, to engage in the enterprise, by holding out to them the hope of plunder, of which the cottage, he assured them, would afford an abundant harvest.  The real purpose of the expedition was, therefore, unknown to any of the party, except the leaders.  The prospect of a sharp fight had not in the least dampened the ardor of their hopes.  With men of their craft it was a dull season, and the prospect of “cracking a crib” plentifully stored with valuables was quite a pleasant anticipation.

It was arranged that Maxwell, with the larger portion of the desperadoes, should land at the lower part of the island, and, if any defenders appeared, commence hostilities, and draw them away from the house, while Vernon, with the most experienced of the “cracks-men,” should assault the house, and effect the purpose of the enterprise.  In the person of one of the chicken-thieves a pilot for the creek was discovered; and, to make assurance doubly sure, it was decided that Vernon should approach the cottage by the usual channel.

Maxwell’s boat was beached, while that of Vernon proceeded up the river to the little stream.  The skill of his pilot, of whom Vernon had felt many doubts, soon brought him to the creek.  The current, he found, was quite rapid, and he feared it would carry him into the midst of the “enemy’s camp” before Maxwell should have made his demonstration.  As the boat was whirled along towards the centre of the island, for the oars could not be used, on account of their noise, his position seemed to grow desperate.