Perils of Certain English Prisoners | Page 9

weakness, want of ease and want of rest, had no
more place in their minds than fear itself. Meaning now to express for
my lady to write down, exactly what I felt then and there, I felt this:
"You two brave fellows that I had been so grudgeful of, I know that if
you were dying you would put it off to get up and do your best, and
then you would be so modest that in lying down again to die, you
would hardly say, 'I did it!'"
It did me good. It really did me good.
But, to go back to where I broke off. Says Captain Carton to Lieutenant
Linderwood, "Sir, how will you divide your men? There is not room for
all; and a few men should, in any case, be left here."
There was some debate about it. At last, it was resolved to leave eight
Marines and four seamen on the Island, besides the sloop's two boys.
And because it was considered that the friendly Sambos would only
want to be commanded in case of any danger (though none at all was
apprehended there), the officers were in favour of leaving the two
non-commissioned officers, Drooce and Charker. It was a heavy
disappointment to them, just as my being one of the left was a heavy
disappointment to me--then, but not soon afterwards. We men drew lots
for it, and I drew "Island." So did Tom Packer. So of course, did four
more of our rank and file.

When this was settled, verbal instructions were given to all hands to
keep the intended expedition secret, in order that the women and
children might not be alarmed, or the expedition put in a difficulty by
more volunteers. The assembly was to be on that same spot at sunset.
Every man was to keep up an appearance, meanwhile, of occupying
himself in his usual way. That is to say, every man excepting four old
trusty seamen, who were appointed, with an officer, to see to the arms
and ammunition, and to muffle the rullocks of the boats, and to make
everything as trim and swift and silent as it could be made.
The Sambo Pilot had been present all the while, in case of his being
wanted, and had said to the officer in command, five hundred times
over if he had said it once, that Christian George King would stay with
the So- Jeers, and take care of the booffer ladies and the booffer
childs--booffer being that native's expression for beautiful. He was now
asked a few questions concerning the putting off of the boats, and in
particular whether there was any way of embarking at the back of the
Island: which Captain Carton would have half liked to do, and then
have dropped round in its shadow and slanted across to the main. But,
"No," says Christian George King. "No, no, no! Told you so, ten time.
No, no, no! All reef, all rock, all swim, all drown!" Striking out as he
said it, like a swimmer gone mad, and turning over on his back on dry
land, and spluttering himself to death, in a manner that made him quite
an exhibition.
The sun went down, after appearing to be a long time about it, and the
assembly was called. Every man answered to his name, of course, and
was at his post. It was not yet black dark, and the roll was only just
gone through, when up comes Mr. Commissioner Pordage with his
Diplomatic coat on.
"Captain Carton," says he, "Sir, what is this?"
"This, Mr. Commissioner" (he was very short with him), "is an
expedition against the Pirates. It is a secret expedition, so please to
keep it a secret."
"Sir," says Commissioner Pordage, "I trust there is going to be no
unnecessary cruelty committed?"
"Sir," returns the officer, "I trust not."
"That is not enough, sir," cries Commissioner Pordage, getting wroth.
"Captain Carton, I give you notice. Government requires you to treat

the enemy with great delicacy, consideration, clemency, and
forbearance."
"Sir," says Captain Carton, "I am an English officer, commanding
English Men, and I hope I am not likely to disappoint the Government's
just expectations. But, I presume you know that these villains under
their black flag have despoiled our countrymen of their property, burnt
their homes, barbarously murdered them and their little children, and
worse than murdered their wives and daughters?"
"Perhaps I do, Captain Carton," answers Pordage, waving his hand,
with dignity; "perhaps I do not. It is not customary, sir, for Government
to commit itself."
"It matters very little, Mr. Pordage, whether or no. Believing that I hold
my commission by the allowance of God, and not that I have received
it direct from the Devil, I shall