r more than twenty-four
hours longer. He begs you, therefore, to order up the ships tonight,
in order that the garrison may embark."

"It is quite out of the question," Mr. Drake said coldly. "Quite. It
would be extremely dangerous.

"You agree with me, Captain Young, that it would be most dangerous?"

"I consider that it would be dangerous," Captain Young said.

"And you call yourself," Charlie exclaimed indignantly, "a British
sailor! You talk of danger, and would desert a thousand men, women,
and children, including two hundred of your own countrymen, and leave
them at the mercy of an enemy!"

"You forget whom you are speaking to, sir," Mr. Drake said, angrily.

"I forgot nothing, sir," Charlie replied, trying to speak calmly.
"Then, sir, Mr. Holwell has charged me that if--which, however, he
could not believe for a moment to be possible--you refuse to move up
the ships to receive the garrison on board, that you would at least
order all the boats up, as these would be amply sufficient to carry
them away. Even in the daytime there would be no danger for the ships;
and at night, at least, boats might come up, without being exposed to
any risk whatever."

"I shall certainly do nothing of the sort," Mr. Drake said. "The
danger is even greater for the boats than for the ships."

"And am I, sir, to return to the garrison of that fort, with the news
that you utterly desert them, that you intend to remain quietly here,
while they are sacrificed before your eyes? Is it possible that you
are capable of such infamy as this?"

"Infamy!" exclaimed the three men, rising to their feet.

"I place you in arrest at once, for your insolence," Mr. Drake said.

"I despise your arrest, as I do yourself.

"I did not believe it possible," Charlie said, at last giving vent to
his anger and scorn; "and England will not believe, that three
Englishmen so cowardly, so infamous as yourselves, are to be found.

"As for you, Captain Minchin, if ever after this I come across you, I
will flog you publicly first, and shoot you afterwards like a dog, if
you dare to meet me.

"As for you, Mr. Drake--as for you, Captain Young--you will be doomed
to infamy, by the contempt and loathing which Englishmen will feel,
when this deed is known.

"Cowards; base, infamous cowards!"

Charlie stepped back to go.

"Seize him!" Mr. Drake said, himself rushing forward.

Charlie drew back a step; and then, with all his strength, smote the
governor