Either the Vernon or the Bronx was to be captured, perhaps both, for of course Christy could not determine in what manner the mischief was to be accomplished.

Prisoner of war as he was, he never felt burdened with a greater responsibility than when he realized the actual situation.
This responsibility was not of a personal nature.

He did not have the feeling that he had been vanquished in the contest before the captain, and the fact that he was a prisoner hardly disturbed him.

It was the prospective injury to the cause of his country which occasioned his solicitude.

His object was to save the Vernon, the Bronx, or both, from being handed over to the enemy without a struggle to save them, one or both.
He had no fault to find with the captain for his decision against him, which seemed to be natural and warrantable.