But Captain Barker knew that the French would make
haste to clear their dead at once and get into motion with their
prize, for the merchantmen must, before this, have given the alarm,
and the coast was continually patrolled by British cruisers.
"You have a very imperfect knowledge of my position, Captain Barker;
and it naturally leads you to jump to very wrong conclusions.
To begin with, you imagine me a traitor."
"I do."
"To whom? To King William, I suppose?"
"Well, as William is the king whose law seems most likely to
interfere with your present threats, I will instance King William."
"You are mistaken. Until you came into sight this squadron was
advancing on Harwich under my command. You understand? Well, before
it started I had sent word to William of its intention. In other
words, from first to last I designed the whole expedition in his
interests. Had we gone on, by this time half a dozen British
frigates would have been upon us."
"_My God! And they are here!_"
As Captain Barker yelled it out, a broad flame illumined the cabin,
and the crash of broken glass and rending timbers mingled with a roar
that shook the seas for miles.
And in the light of this thunderous broadside Captain Salt rose
slowly, lifted his arms, swayed and dropped forward, striking the
table with his brow; then slid down upon the floor, stone-dead.
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