“Is he lacking in wisdom?”
“In some ways, yes.”
“Will you mind specifying some of the things?”
“I think he is careless.”
“Careless—as to what?”
Sheila smiled. “He is indifferent to good advice. He has been told of trouble among the Maroons, that they mean to rise; he has been advised to make preparations, and he makes none, and he is deceived by a show of loyalty on the part of the slaves. Lord Mallow, if the free Maroons rise, why should not the black slaves rise at the same time? Why do you not act?”
“Is everybody whose good opinion is worth having mad?” answered the governor. “I have sent my inspectors to Trelawney. I have had reports from them. I have used every care—what would you have me do?”
“Used every care? Why don’t you ensure the Maroons peaceableness by advancing on them? Why don’t you take them prisoners? They are enraged that two of their herdsmen should be whipped by a negro-slave under the order of one of your captains. They are angry and disturbed and have ambushed the roads to Trelawney, so I’m told.”
“Did Mr. Calhoun tell you that when he was here?”
“It was not that which Mr. Calhoun told me the only time he came here. But who Erris Boyne was. I never knew till, in his honour, he told me, coming here for that purpose. I never knew who my father was till he told me. My mother had kept it from me all my life.”