Your destination is Malta, your object to deliver to the admiral stationed there the despatches with which you will be entrusted; they contain information of immense importance, which for certain reasons cannot be sent through a ship of war, but must be forwarded by a vessel that may not attract peculiar notice.

If you be attacked, your orders are to resist; if you be taken, on no account destroy the papers, for the French vessel can scarcely escape capture from our frigates, and it is of great consequence these papers should remain.
Such is a brief sketch of our plan; the details can be made known to you hereafter.' "'I am quite ready, my lord.

I ask for no terms; I make no stipulations.

If the result be favorable it will be time enough to speak of that.

When am I to sail ?' "As I spoke, the admiral turned suddenly round and said something in a whisper to Dawkins, who appeared to overrule it, whatever it might be, and finally brought him over to his own opinion.
"'Come, Cupples,' said Dawkins, 'the affair is now settled; to-morrow a boat will be in waiting for you opposite Spike Island to convey you on board the "Semiramis," where every step in the whole business shall be explained to you; meanwhile you have only to keep your own counsel and trust the secret to no one.' "'Yes, Cupples,' said the admiral, 'we rely upon you for that, so good-night.' As he spoke he placed within my hands a crumpled note for ten pounds, and squeezing my fingers, departed.
"My yarn is spinning out to a far greater length than I intended, so I'll try and shorten it a bit.