‘And time, too,’ said the waterman as he swept the boat’s head around. ‘They’re armed with loaded carbines up there, and they’d make no more of sending a ball through a man’s head than drinkin’ his health.’
CHAPTER XIII
SHE CONCEIVES A STRANGE IDEA
On Friday, October 18, I went to drink tea and sup with my aunt, whom I had not visited nor indeed seen for nearly a fortnight. Whilst we sat at tea, my uncle being present, Will came into the room; his manner was rather excited, he entered with some vehemence, and looking around at us cried out:
‘What do you think?’
‘What?’ asked my uncle.
‘The tender of the owners of the Childe Harold has been accepted, and we are to load convicts for one of the settlements early next month.’
I started, then sat motionless, feeling my cheeks bloodless.
‘Who told you this?’ said my uncle.