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mainland for a secret signal； though； of course； it was not known to
such as us what the signal was。
Christian George King had vanished before we touched the ground。
But； the word was already passing from hut to hut to turn out
quietly； and we knew that the nimble barbarian had got hold of the
truth； or something near it。
In a space among the trees behind the encampment of us visitors；
naval and military； was a snugly…screened spot； where we kept the
stores that were in use； and did our cookery。 The word was passed
to assemble here。 It was very quickly given； and was given （so far
as we were concerned） by Sergeant Drooce； who was as good in a
soldier point of view； as he was bad in a tyrannical one。 We were
ordered to drop into this space； quietly； behind the trees； one by
one。 As we assembled here； the seamen assembled too。 Within ten
minutes； as I should estimate； we were all here； except the usual
guard upon the beach。 The beach （we could see it through the wood）
looked as it always had done in the hottest time of the day。 The
guard were in the shadow of the sloop's hull； and nothing was moving
but the sea；and that moved very faintly。 Work had always been
knocked off at that hour； until the sun grew less fierce； and the
sea…breeze rose； so that its being holiday with us； made no
difference； just then； in the look of the place。 But I may mention
that it was a holiday； and the first we had had since our hard work
began。 Last night's ball had been given； on the leak's being
repaired； and the careening done。 The worst of the work was over；
and to…morrow we were to begin to get the sloop afloat again。
We marines were now drawn up here under arms。 The chace…party were
drawn up separate。 The men of the Columbus were drawn up separate。
The officers stepped out into the midst of the three parties； and
spoke so as all might hear。 Captain Carton was the officer in
command； and he had a spy…glass in his hand。 His coxswain stood by
him with another spy…glass； and with a slate on which he seemed to
have been taking down signals。
〃Now； men！〃 says Captain Carton； 〃I have to let you know； for your
satisfaction： Firstly； that there are ten pirate…boats； strongly
manned and armed； lying hidden up a creek yonder on the coast； under
the overhanging branches of the dense trees。 Secondly； that they
will certainly come out this night when the moon rises； on a
pillaging and murdering expedition； of which some part of the
mainland is the object。 Thirdlydon't cheer； men！that we will
give chace； and； if we can get at them； rid the world of them；
please God！〃
Nobody spoke； that I heard； and nobody moved； that I saw。 Yet there
was a kind of ring； as if every man answered and approved with the
best blood that was inside of him。
〃Sir；〃 says Captain Maryon； 〃I beg to volunteer on this service；
with my boats。 My people volunteer； to the ship's boys。〃
〃In His Majesty's name and service；〃 the other answers； touching his
hat； 〃I accept your aid with pleasure。 Lieutenant Linderwood； how
will you divide your men？〃
I was ashamedI give it out to be written down as large and plain
as possibleI was heart and soul ashamed of my thoughts of those
two sick officers； Captain Maryon and Lieutenant Linderwood； when I
saw them； then and there。 The spirit in those two gentlemen beat
down their illness （and very ill I knew them to be） like Saint
George beating down the Dragon。 Pain and 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 methen； 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 childsbooffer 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 hav