At two o'clock in the morning, they summoned a council of war, at which Charlie was present, and it was decided that the women and children should at once be sent on board.
There should have been no difficulty in carrying this into effect.

A large number of merchantmen were lying in the stream, opposite the fort, capable of conveying away in safety the whole of the occupants.
Two of the members of the council had, early in the evening, been despatched on board ship to make arrangements for the boats being sent on shore; but these cowardly wretches, instead of doing so, ordered the ships to raise their anchors, and drop two miles farther down the stream.

The boats, however, were sent up the river to the fort.
The same helpless imbecility, which had characterized every movement, again showed itself.

There was no attempt, whatever, at establishing anything like order or method.

The watergate was open, and a wild rush of men, women, and children took place down to the boats.
Charlie was on duty, on the walls.