Charles Stevens smiled and answered:
"You do not expect me to be a coward?"
"By no means; but I want you to be fully impressed with the seriousness of your mission."
They went to the general assembly at the meeting-house, where they found everything in the utmost confusion. The debate was at a white heat.
"Take your place, Charles, and be prepared to do your part," whispered Captain Wadsworth.
Charles got as close to the long table used by the secretaries as possible, without attracting special attention.
The discussion went on, darkness came and four lighted candles were placed on the table, and two set on a shelf on the wall. Those two candles on the wall were a great annoyance to Charles until he saw a man stationed near them.
Time passed on, and darkness had enveloped the earth. The debate was drawing to a close, or, in fact, had gone as far as it could, without arousing the suspicion of Governor Andros. When it ended, the governor of New York declared:
"I have waited as long as I will. I demand the charter at once. As governor of New York, this being a part of my dominion, I will have it."
"Wait——" began the president.