‘Mr. Bates. I met him in the Minories. He only got the news this afternoon.’
‘Convicts?’ said my aunt. ‘I don’t like the idea of your going out in a convict ship.’
‘Safe as the Bank of England,’ said my uncle. ‘They carry plenty of soldiers, plenty of sailors, and a large freight of handcuffs and irons. What more would you have?’
‘Suppose Captain Butler should be put into our ship!’ exclaimed Will, looking at me.
I could not make him any answer then.
‘The chances are a hundred to one against such a probability,’ exclaimed my uncle. ‘It is a big convict ship that takes out three hundred felons. How many have you aboard the Thames’s hulks alone? Not less than one thousand, I dare say. Then batches are picked up at Portsmouth and Plymouth. Consider the odds. Besides, Butler has served no time in the hulks. Yet it would be extraordinary should it come to pass,’ he added musingly.
‘The ship goes to Deptford to be equipped—I don’t know when,’ said Will.
‘Will the Childe Harold be the only convict ship of her date?’ I asked.
‘That’s to be found out,’ said Will.