A man who would betray the general's plans to the enemy, would betray the ship, and I should be a traitor, myself, if I did not inform the captain.

I am sorry, awfully sorry, that this should happen to an officer of the Sutherland, but it will be for the captain to decide whether he will make it public or not.
"There is one thing.

If it was to be anyone, I would rather that it was he than anyone else, for there isn't a man on board can abide him.

No, sir, I am sorry, but I cannot give up the letter, and, even if you had torn it up when you had it in your hand just now, I should have reported the whole thing to the captain, and say I could swear to the handwriting." James was silent.

The boy was right, and was only doing his duty in determining to denounce the act of gross treachery which had been perpetrated.