The undertaking was certainly rather a big order, and in my most extravagant dreams of distinction I had not ventured to hope of such a thing. What a glorious chance of distinguishing myself! Most of the men I knew would give their ears for such an opportunity, and here it was within my grasp at the very outset of the war.
The Admiral was a man of few words. Going to a curious little Indian safe which stood in a corner of the cabin, he took from it the precious despatches I was to risk my own and the lives of all my shipmates to deliver.
"A RINGING CHEER FOLLOWED US AS THE THICK GREY MIST RAPIDLY SWALLOWED US UP."
"Here, sir," he said, "are the documents. They contain most important political information, and must be in the Governor's hands as soon as possible. In case of any accident, burn them, throw them overboard, destroy them somehow. But don't, for goodness' sake, let them fall into the hands of the enemy. They are more important than I dare hint at. Take them, and success go with you!"
The fog was as thick as ever when I got on deck, and getting into my boat, we cautiously crept our way through the mist, and five minutes later I was aboard.
I went at once down to my cabin and sent for my faithful first lieutenant. I made him sit down, and told him what we had to do. He did not seem to think it a very great piece of good luck.
"Quite good enough to have to chance it with the remainder," he said, "without getting sent on beastly special service jobs. Still, there's no help for it I suppose, and so we'll have to buckle to and get ready."
And as Taylor had no inducement to make him long for adventures of this kind, in the shape of a lady-love, I could hardly blame him for not taking quite so enthusiastic a view of the affair as myself.