Warren then argued with increasing heat that by this time the French reinforcements must be near, and could easily steal up under cover of the fog which was thick there every night.

When Pepperrill still objected he lost his temper entirely, and said and wrote a number of peppery things.

"I am sorry," he said, "that no one plan, though approved by all my captains, has been so fortunate as to meet your approbation or have any weight with you!" Pepperrill explained imperturbably that Warren was trying to take too much authority upon himself.

Captain Peter sent him a furious note: "I am sorry to find a kind of jealousy which I thought you would never conceive of me.

And give me leave to tell you I don't want at this time to acquire reputation, as I flatter myself mine has been pretty well established long before!" And then, as full of temper as a hot-headed schoolboy, he brought out a letter from Governor Shirley expressing regret that Captain Warren could not take command of the whole affair,--"which I doubt not would be a most happy event for His Majesty's service." Even this could not shake the General's superhuman calm.