Not a little agitated, I thrust the letter into my pocket, and hastened round to Mr. Drake’s, the Governor’s house, where the Council was assembled, he being confined indoors by an illness. I sent in my name to Mr. Holwell, who immediately came out and fetched me into the room where they were met.
Mr. Drake lay on a couch against one of the windows, while the other gentlemen were seated around in a circle, facing him. He was a stout man with a red face, who had spent many years in the East Indies, and by dint of an important manner and never having been placed in any situation of real difficulty, had passed down to this time for a very prudent and capable person. On my entrance he spoke to me rather peremptorily—
“You are Mr. Ford, are you not?”
I nodded.
“I am told that you speak the Indostanee language. Is that so?”
“Yes, sir,” I said. “Mr. Holwell and Mr. Byng are aware of it.”
“Very good.” He nodded his head once or twice. “Those gentlemen have recommended you to the Council as a discreet, intelligent young man, which I do not doubt you are. There is an employment which I have to propose to you, one which calls for those qualities, and also for courage. The question is, young man”—he fixed his eyes on me very sternly—“do you think you possess courage?”
“I don’t know,” I answered bluntly, not much liking his manner of questioning me.