He knows, of course, that there will be some considerable danger of his being shot before he is taken prisoner; but I need hardly say that the danger adds to the interest of the scheme.

It's a risky business you have undertaken, Captain Walsham, terribly risky; but, if you succeed, you will have saved the expedition from turning out a failure, and we shall all be under obligations to you for the rest of our lives.
"Has Captain Walsham told you what he is undertaking, Mr.Horton ?" "No, sir." "He is going to get taken prisoner, in the gig, in order that he may, if possible, give the French the slip again, find out some way down that line of cliffs, and so enable the general to get into the heart of the French expedition.

It is a grand scheme, but a risky one.
"The chances are a hundred to one against you, Captain Walsham." "That is just what the general said," James replied, with a smile.

"I don't think, myself, they are more than five to one against me; but, even if they were a thousand, it would be worth trying, for a thousand lives would be cheaply sacrificed to ensure the success of this expedition." "There are not many men who would like to try it," the captain said.

"I say honestly I shouldn't, myself.