Arnold eyed him narrowly and spoke cautiously. “In all likelihood, Colonel Wynkoop, this year’s campaign will be settled on Lake Champlain, and I take it that all of us want it settled conclusively in our favor. There’s only one way in which that can be done, and that’s for us to build a fleet superior to anything the British can build. That wouldn’t be difficult if we had the men and material, because there’s one thing the British can’t build, and that’s a frigate. They haven’t the depth of water to build a frigate at St. John’s. If we could get the men and the supplies, I’d build a 38-gun frigate, and the British couldn’t pass. Since it’s out of the question to get either the supplies or the workmen, we’ve got to do the next best thing: we’ve got to outbuild them, and it’s my information that they’ve already brought two schooners from the St. Lawrence to St. John’s in sections—schooners bigger than any of ours. That means we’ve got to build vessels that can maneuver with their schooners. That means row-galleys, Colonel, and it means we can’t delay any longer! They’ve got to be laid down tomorrow!”

Wynkoop settled himself in his chair as if he intended to stay there all day. “Cheneral Sguyler gafe me der commend uf Lake Shemplain,” he said stolidly. “In dot gepecity I belief der broper wessels iss gundelos. Dey’re more mople, und petter aple to selegt der bettle ground.”

Waterbury looked puzzled. “They’re more what?”

“Mople. Dey ent so heffy.”

“Mobile!” Arnold exclaimed. “Gundelos mobile? In dirty weather they’d be as mobile as lobster-pots!”

He glared at Wynkoop, his lips pressed tight together, his swarthy face lumpy. Suddenly he smiled. “As senior officer at this post,” he said carelessly, “I order an immediate Council of War to consider the form of ship construction best adapted to our needs—the council to include all officers above the rank of lieutenant colonel. The council will be in order. General Waterbury, what are your views on the type of vessel that would be of greatest service to us?”

“Chust a minute!” Wynkoop objected; but his objection was unheeded by Waterbury, whose reply to Arnold’s question was magisterial.

“I’m in favor of completing the gundelos now under construction, and in devoting all our efforts to the construction of row-galleys similar to this plan.” He slapped my drawing with his open palm.

Wynkoop, breathing heavily, made explosive sounds.

Arnold nodded thoughtfully at Waterbury and said, “Those are my opinions exactly, General, and since that disposes of the business before this Council of War, the council stands adjourned. Captain Merrill, lay down the keel of that Spanish galley tomorrow and remain in charge of her until she joins the fleet.”

XXX