I look at the future. I
am miserable. I see nothing but wretchedness before me. I contemplated
self-destruction. I purposed dropping quietly over the stern into the
water. I did not wish to create confusion. If I had jumped overboard
before you all, a boat would have been lowered, and I should have been
picked up; but--must I own it?--my courage failed me. I--I who have
been in a hundred fights, and have braved death in a thousand forms--I
felt fear. I clung to the side trembling, and climbed on board again,
and here I am."

Ronald had a very just suspicion that Don Tacon was acting. He had
formed, indeed, a perfectly just estimate of his consummate impudence
and roguery, but still it was difficult to account for the reason of his
having got there.

He might have gone there for the sake of eaves-dropping, for the captain
was in the cabin at the time, but then it was not likely that he
understood English enough to comprehend what was said. There was one
very suspicious circumstance against the worthy Tacon.

A few days before Ronald had been with the captain in his cabin
discussing a very important matter. It was no less than Lord Claymore's
long-projected plan of destroying the French fleet whenever it could be
found collected in one of these exposed roadsteads. Lord Claymore had
become more than ever sanguine as to the success of his plan.

"It must succeed, my dear Morton," he exclaimed vehemently. "It will be
of advantage to our country, equal to that of a great victory; but it
will be gained without one-tenth part of the loss which a general action
would entail. I must obtain my recall forthwith, and lay my plans
before the Admiralty. They must listen to me; they can scarcely refuse
to consider my plans. They won't do it for love; they never do love a
man who has got brains in his head, unless those brains are subservient
to their will and pleasure."

Ronald remembered that such had been some of the remarks made on the
occasion referred to. Lord Claymore was rather inclined to laugh at his
suspicions; but notwithstanding that, took good care that Senor Tacon
should not again have an opportunity of throwing himself overboard.

It was not till some time after the Don had been sent to Malta, that
Lord Claymore missed a couple of sheets of paper, on which he had drawn
out some of his proposed plans. He, however, thought that very likely
they had been blown overboard, and troubled himself no more