“Captain Dobbins and myself have decided that no good can come of trying to punish the traitor, while by showing mercy—mistaken mercy, perhaps,—he yet has an opportunity to redeem himself. Therefore it is that we take you lads into our confidence, asking your assistance.”
I was even more bewildered than before, and gazed in open-mouthed astonishment at my commander.
“We depend upon you to liberate this man as secretly as may be, trusting only Silas Boyd, who will lend the necessary assistance, and allow it to be believed that he escaped.”
For a moment it seemed to me I must be dreaming! I could not believe that my father, whom I knew was devoted to his country, and Commodore Perry, who had been literally consumed with impatience because he could not come at our enemies, would plot to release a traitor—a man ready to sell his friends and his native land to the highest bidder.
“I see that the proposition astonishes you, as it did Alexander; but it is a sound one, of which I am not ashamed. Talk the matter over with my brother, and by the time the plans can be put into execution you lads will have come to a thorough understanding concerning it.”
Having said this the commodore arose, a movement which I understood to be a token that the interview was at an end, and as I turned to leave the cabin Alec linked his arm in mine, walking in this fashion until we were come on deck, where I observed old Silas gazing at us curiously.
Not until we were well forward on the forecastle-deck where none could creep up on us unawares, did I speak, and then it was to ask:—
“What do you think, Alec Perry, of this proposition to set free a traitor who would have delivered us over to the enemy without remorse?”
“It has the approval of both your father and my brother.”
“Now you are begging the question. I asked for your opinion.”