This is soon done, Chester writing a receipt and quittance for the same, which the Dutchman signs. A moment later Captain Guy remarking carelessly: “Duyvel, you had better lie by us in your boat till morning, or you will never outlive this storm,” steps on deck, and taking his first officer aside, says shortly: “You will take command of this vessel, Lieutenant Dalton, until my return.”
“You are going to leave the ship to-night?”
“Yes, some information that I have just received makes it necessary that I go to Antwerp to-night.”
“To Antwerp! Into Alva’s clutches; INTO HIS VERY JAWS?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“In that Spanish barge lying beside us.” [[16]]
“You’ll take some of your men?”
“No.”
“Your life won’t be worth a florin.”