Two of the company departed forthwith to the larder, and unobserved hid away a few loaves in one of the empty trunks in the box-room.
Our plans were ripening wonderfully.

But the most difficult business was yet to come.

What terms should we require of our prisoners as the price of their release?
And on this point, after long discussion, we found we could not agree.

Some were for the immediate dismissal of the Henniker; others demanded that she should not be allowed to speak without special permission; and others that she should remain in her parlour all day long, and come out only for prayers and to give orders to the tradesmen.
These proposals were too absurd to take seriously; and as presently the company began to grow a little quarrelsome over the matter, it was decided for peace' sake that the question should be deferred, and terms arranged when the prisoners themselves offered to give in.
"If I may make a suggestion," said Hawkesbury, who had taken no part in the previous discussion, "it is that you should appoint one fellow captain, and agree to obey his orders.

You'll never manage it if you don't." "Not at all a bad idea," said one or two.