But even while most deeply entertained by the old gunner’s stories, and when listening to my mother’s loving words, the idea was ever present in my mind that among us was a traitor, who would speedily carry to the British information of the “camels” which were being made ready to take our vessels over the bar.
I said very little regarding this to Alec, lest he should make sport of me for being foolishly suspicious.
Perhaps because of my silence on the subject the thought grew stronger until it became the same as a fact in my mind, and I cast about trying to decide who among us was so lost to all honesty as to betray his own countrymen to their ruin.
When my father came home on this evening he reported that Captain Perry was more comfortable, as regarded the fever, and had given orders that Alec remain ashore until such time as commands were received for the fleet to leave port.
“And that is to be within a few days, if one may judge from the indications,” the lad said, with a smile, when my father had reported his brother’s words.
“Why do you think so?”
“Because of the camels which are being built at the shipyard.”
“How knew you for what purpose those hulks were intended?” my father asked sharply, and, as I thought, with no little disquietude of mind.
As a matter of course it was necessary we should tell him all that had occurred during the day, and, having come to an end of our story, he said, half to himself:—
“I had hoped the people might not be quite so well informed.”