Five minutes more dragged along.
"General Beauregard," said Lacy at last, "with your permission I will seek him myself."
"No," said the general, sternly, "we can wait no longer. I need you for something else."
"You mean—?"
"I mean that I shall carry out the original plan. Mr. Sempland has forfeited any consideration whatever at our hands."
"Then I am to—?"
Lacy pointed toward the David.
"Unless you wish to back out."
"No one has ever used these words to me, sir," answered Lacy, proudly. "I am as ready, as anxious, to go as I ever was. But Sempland—sir, I would stake my life on his fidelity."
"It may be so. I can wait no longer. Will you go, or shall I give up the expedition?"