"I forgot nothing, sir," Charlie replied, trying to speak calmly. "Then, sir, Mr. Holwell has charged me that if--which, however, he could not believe for a moment to be possible--you refuse to move up the ships to receive the garrison on board, that you would at least order all the boats up, as these would be amply sufficient to carry them away. Even in the daytime there would be no danger for the ships; and at night, at least, boats might come up, without being exposed to any risk whatever." "I shall certainly do nothing of the sort," Mr. Drake said. "The danger is even greater for the boats than for the ships." "And am I, sir, to return to the garrison of that fort, with the news that you utterly desert them, that you intend to remain quietly here, while they are sacrificed before your eyes? Is it possible that you are capable of such infamy as this?" "Infamy!" exclaimed the three men, rising to their feet. "I place you in arrest at once, for your insolence," Mr. Drake said. "I despise your arrest, as I do yourself. "I did not believe it possible," Charlie said, at last giving vent to his anger and scorn; "and England will not believe, that three Englishmen so cowardly, so infamous as yourselves, are to be found. "As for you, Captain Minchin, if ever after this I come across you, I will flog you publicly first, and shoot you afterwards like a dog, if you dare to meet me. "As for you, Mr. Drake--as for you, Captain Young--you will be doomed to infamy, by the contempt and loathing which Englishmen will feel, when this deed is known. "Cowards; base, infamous cowards!" Charlie stepped back to go. "Seize him!" Mr. Drake said, himself rushing forward. Charlie drew back a step; and then, with all his strength, smote the governor between the eyes, and he fell in a heap beneath the table. Then Charlie grasped a decanter. "Now," he said, "if either of you hounds move a finger, I'll brain you." The two officers stood paralysed. Charlie walked to the door, and sprang up the cabin stairs; and, as he did so, heard shouts for assistance from behind. He gained the deck, walked quietly to the bulwark and, placing his hand upon it, sprang over the side into the river. He swam to shore and, climbing up the bank, made his way along it back to the fort, where he arrived without any misadventure. A fury of indignation seized all in the fort, when the result of Charlie's mission became known. With daybreak the attack recommenced; but the garrison, all day, bravely repulsed every attempt of the enemy to gain a footing. The fire from the houses was, however, so severe, that by nightfall nearly half the garrison were killed or wounded.