Will you attend them in my cabin ?" "Thank you; no, sir.

I am quite sure that they will support you.
It remains to see what his Majesty will say when I report your contempt of his orders." "That is for the future to decide.

Meanwhile be good enough to recollect that I command the squadron from this moment.

Should you choose to volunteer, well and good.

If not, my cabin is at your disposal as soon as the captains have left it." He bowed and turned away to summon the captains.
They came in haste, and were, of course, unanimous; though it is difficult to say how far they were influenced by sound argument and how far by pique and a desire to thwart the Englishman.