“And Sir Henry would only think me a contemptible traitor if I surrendered,” he said to himself; and then he began to make fresh plans.
He stepped into the cabin for a moment or two, to find that the lieutenant was lying in his bed place, perfectly insensible, while the marines, with their pieces in hand, were waiting fresh orders.
The difficulty was to give those orders, and turn which way he would there was a pair of eyes fixed upon him.
He had never before understood the responsibility of a commanding officer in a time of emergency, and how great a call there would be upon him for help, guidance, and protection. One thing, however, he kept before his eyes, and that was the idea that he must retake the cutter, and how to do it with the least loss of life was the problem to be solved.
In his extremity he called a council of war under the big lantern, with Billy Waters, the corporal of marines, and the boatswain for counsellors, and took their opinions.
“Well, sir, if it was me in command I should do as I said afore,” said Billy Waters cheerfully. “A lot o’ powder would rift that there cabin-hatch right off; and them as guards it.”
“Yes, and kill the lieutenant and half the men below,” said Hilary. “What do you say, corporal?”
“I think bayonets is the best things, sir,” replied the corporal.
“Yes,” exclaimed Hilary, “if you’ve got a chance to use them. What do you say, bo’sun?”
“Well, your honour, it seems as how we shall get into no end of a pickle if we let these here smugglers capter the Kestrel, so I think we’d best go below and scuttle her. It wouldn’t take long.”