CHAPTER XXVI. THE PREPARATION. To prevent needless repetitions in my story, I shall not record here the conversation which passed between my friend Power and myself on the morning following at breakfast. Suffice it to say, that the plan proposed by him for my rescue was one I agreed to adopt, reserving to myself, in case of failure, a _pis aller_ of which I knew not the meaning, but of whose efficacy Power assured me I need not doubt. “If all fail,” said he,--“if every bridge break down beneath you, and no road of escape be left, why, then, I believe you must have recourse to another alternative. Still I should wish to avoid it, if possible, and I put it to you, in honor, not to employ it unless as a last expedient. You promise me this?” “Of course,” said I, with great anxiety for the dread final measure. “What is it?” He paused, smiled dubiously, and resumed,-- “And, after all,--but, to be sure, there will not be need for it,--the other plan will do,--must do. Come, come, O’Malley, the admiralty say that nothing encourages drowning in the navy like a life-buoy. The men have such a prospect of being picked up that they don’t mind falling overboard; so, if I give you this life-preserver of mine, you’ll not swim an inch. Is it not so, eh?” “Far from it,” said I. “I shall feel in honor bound to exert myself the more, because I now see how much it costs you to part with it.” “Well, then, hear it. When everything fails; when all your resources are exhausted; when you have totally lost your memory, in fact, and your ingenuity in excuses say,--but mind, Charley, not till then,--say that you must consult your friend, Captain Power, of the 14th; that’s all.” “And is this it?” said I, quite disappointed at the lame and impotent conclusion to all the high-sounding exordium; “is this all?” “Yes,” said he, “that is all. But stop, Charley; is not that the major crossing the street there? Yes, to be sure it is; and, by Jove! he has got on the old braided frock this morning. Had you not told me one word of your critical position, I should have guessed there was something in the wind from that. That same vestment has caused many a stout heart to tremble that never quailed before a shot or shell.” “How can that be? I should like to hear.” “Why, my dear boy, that’s his explanation coat, as we called it at Gibraltar. He was never known to wear it except when asking some poor fellow’s ‘intentions.’ He would no more think of sporting it as an every-day affair, than the chief-justice would go cook-shooting in his black cap and ermine. Come, he is bound for your quarters, and as it will not answer our plans to let him see you now, you had better hasten down-stairs, and get round by the back way into George’s Street, and you’ll be at his house before he can return.”