“Do,” said the lad eagerly. “Think what the loss of this paper might mean to our country. We should use every means in our power to recover it; and St. Mary’s Isle offers at least a possibility.”
“What you say is very true,” said the commander gravely. “But I have still another reason for making this landing.”
“Indeed.”
“From time to time the people of the United States have heard of the dreadful treatment meted out to American prisoners of war in the British hulks and jails; but in spite of the protests of Congress, nothing has been done by the English king to alter this state of affairs.”
“It is believed to be growing constantly worse.”
“The only hope of relief to our imprisoned countrymen,” said Paul Jones, “lies in our ability to effect a system of exchange.”
“But this has been tried many times before,” said Ethan. “I copied the papers for Mr. Jefferson upon one occasion. But nothing ever came of it.”
“The reason of that is very clear. We have had no prominent captives. Let us once get a man of great name into our power and we can compel the beginning of such a system.”
“That seems very likely,” said the lad.
“Here is the Earl of Selkirk, one of England’s most exalted personages. If we had him in our power it would not be many months before the treatment of American prisoners would change. And when we land upon St. Mary’s Isle, the Lascar, Siki, will not be the only person sought; if it is possible to do so, I shall leave there with the earl in this cabin a prisoner and hostage.”