"
"You mistake. I was about to say that this offer of yours strikes us
as rather barren. At least it might have been kept until King James
is restored to his country. In that event he may very well prefer to
give his commands to younger men; but in any event he will find us
obedient to his royal wish."
"That is a very loyal attitude. But, as it happens, you would be
required to enter into your commands before his Majesty's
restoration."
"Explain yourself, my lord."
"I am not in a position to speak with authority or exactness
of the events which will shortly take place in the British fleet.
I am a mere soldier, you understand. But let us suppose a case.
King William sails early to-morrow, with Rear-Admiral Rooke's
squadron, for the Maese. Let us suppose that no sooner is his
Majesty landed at The Hague and safe in his own beloved realm than
our gallant English sailors display a just distaste for their Dutch
commanders by setting those commanders ashore, and running--let us
say--for Calais, where their true Sovereign waits to be conveyed
across to the country which his rival has quitted. Obviously, for
this purpose, the fleet would need, on the spot, capable officers to
step into the shoes of the deposed Dutchmen.
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