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.
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