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.
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