A nice scandal it would be, to have to try and hang a naval officer for treachery.
"I am sure you agree with me, general ?" "Thoroughly," the general said.

"Let him blow his brains out, or desert; but you had best keep a sharp lookout that he does not desert at present.

After we have once effected our landing, I should say keep as careless a watch over him as possible; but don't let him go before.
It is bad enough that the French know that Captain Walsham went ashore for the purpose of discovering a landing place; but it would be worse were they to become aware that he has rejoined the ships, and that he was taken off by a boat within a couple of miles of the spot where we mean to land." The admiral was right.

Richard Horton had, when summoned to the cabin, hastily placed a pistol in his bosom, with the intention of blowing out his brains, should he find that the discovery he dreaded had been made.
Had the marines posted outside the cabin been ordered to accompany him, he would at once have carried his purpose into execution; but, finding himself free, he walked to his cabin, still determined to blow out his brains before morning; but, the impulse once past, he could not summon up resolution to carry his resolve into effect.

He would do it, he said to himself, before the court martial came on.