"Not reach it? Why, colonel, have you forgotten how I swam across dear old Champlain and then back again?"
"I am not likely to forget that."
"Then I am sure I can do this little bit."
"But they will fire on you?"
"If they see me; and that is just what I am going to prevent."
"How?"
"Never mind that, colonel. Only give your consent and I will succeed, and I think I can save the lives of our friends."
"Eben, you are very brave. Can you bear to think of your fate?"
"I have thought of it. If we stay here we shall be hanged; if I fail to reach land I shall drown, and I think I would rather drown than be hanged. What say you, colonel?"
"My dear fellow, you must act as you think best."