"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!"