Complex sentence: As the cruiser proceeded on its way there gathered on the shores of Piti, a landing place down the bay, a small group of curious inhabitants, who were aware of the presence of the American vessels for they had been sighted early that morning.
Split into simpler sentences: As the cruiser proceeded on its way, a small group of curious inhabitants gathered on the shores of Piti, a landing place down the bay. These locals were aware of the presence of the American vessels, for they had been sighted early that morning.