ger they
must run in reaching it. The Quaker, however, did not appear at all to
relish the trip, and protested vehemently against being thus
unceremoniously sent adrift. He protested that he was as quiet as a
lamb, and, that he would obey my orders as strictly as if he had taken
the oath of allegiance to King George. I told him that might be, but
that "necessity has no law greater than itself." Then he assured me
that he was a non-combatant; that to fight was against his principles,
and that he would not dream of lifting a finger against any man.

"I dare say not, friend," I answered, "but you wouldn't mind boring a
hole in a ship's bottom and letting her go down, or setting fire to her,
and letting her blow up with all hands on board, provided you could make
your escape unhurt, eh?"

I saw that I had by chance hit the right nail on the head, and that he
had, some time or other, done the very thing I suggested. He said
nothing further. Still he evidently did not like being turned adrift in
the boat. I, however, was inexorable. The enemy had so frequently
retaken vessels which had been captured from them, that I was, I own,
afraid to trust any of the prisoners I had just made. I accordingly
bundled the Quaker in with the rest. I must own that I acted a harsh
part. It turned out a terrible night. It was blowing very fresh, and
there was a heavy sea running, while it was more than usually dark. I
scarcely reflected at the time on the dreadful risk to which I was
exposing the poor fellows. In vain I afterwards endeavoured to discover
what became of them. They might have reached the shore in safety, or
been picked up by some friendly vessel; but they might have been run
down, or their boat might have been swamped, and they all might have
perished miserably. I pray they might have escaped. If not, their
deaths were at my door.

As soon as the prisoners had shoved off, I sent the boat back to the
tender, and Grampus and two men returned in her.

"Grampus," said I, "I put you in charge of this craft. I hope that it
is not the last of which you will get command."

He pulled the front lock of his hair when I made him this speech, and
looked round with a glance which showed that he did not over highly
appreciate the honour.

"I'll try to get her into harbour, sir, at all events," he answered, as
I stepped into the boat, and not without difficulty returned to the
tender, when, with my prize, I again made sa