But if we fail to occupy this important post, the enemy might take us by surprise, and do so." "Possible, but most improbable.

This little place lies, by the trend of the coast, quite out of their course from Boulogne to London; and what is there here to tempt them?
No rich town to sack, no great commerce to rob, no valuable shipping to lay hands on." "No; but there's my house and my two girls; and I don't want my old roof burned, and my daughters put to wait on Boney.

But to think of self-interest is below contempt, with our country going through such trials.

Neither should we add any needless expense to a treasury already overburdened." "Certainly not.

It would be absolutely wicked.