"I spoke up, 'Monterey don't want you. If anybody says they do, it's politics. Mebbe you can shoot all these cannon at 'em tell they couldn't fight back any more, but just the same they don't want you.'
"The Admyral looked mighty queer. When I left he was still thinkin' and thinkin'.
"We sailed into Monterey harbor and out again, I still stayin' on the Admyral's boat, bein's I couldn't get off, the walkin' not bein' exactly what you'd call good.
"First thing I knew, I was in the Admyral's room a second time. A power of officers were there from the other ships. 'Repeat your statement of last night, if you will,' he asked of me. Well, I did. Then the Admyral spoke up, 'The man's words were verified this mornin' by the fort firin' on us.'
"The officers looked black as thunder. One big feller said, 'Reduce their defenses and invest the city at once.' the Admyral replied, 'I've no call to take Monterey, if she's unwillin', and I'll not do it.'
"Another officer spoke up, savage as the dickens. 'The honor of her Majesty's navy is assailed. Let the fleet take over the city!' 'Not while I'm commandin' the fleet,' put in the Admyral.
"They were talkin' when I left. Mebbe they're at it yet. The fishboat was waitin' for me and the Injuns. She skimmed through the waves like grease, and here I be."
"Confounded chicken-hearted cad!" the Captain exploded.
"How!" from Brown sharply.
"I refer to Fairbanks."