The following day Brown decided to remain in his quarters, both to save himself further embarrassment and also to comply with the governor’s directive to avoid any public notice. The physician came with an assistant, examined his foot carefully, and announced that two of his toes would have to be amputated to avoid the spread of gangrene. Brown had to accept this decision, and suffered through the brief operation, which he found no more painful than what he had already endured. In fact, after the bleeding was staunched and his foot bandaged, it felt better than before.

It was midafternoon before the governor’s secretary returned.

“I have brought your orders and a response from the governor. He agrees fully that any doubts about your loyalty must be fully addressed, and I await your suggestions on how this might best be done. However, it is important to Lord William that this matter be handled here in America, between you and him. I must have your assurance about this.”

Brown nodded and handed over an additional statement he had drafted, expressing his condemnation of the malefactors and their treasonous acts and expressing his full and unequivocal loyalty to the crown. It also included his promise that he would return to Augusta and seek full and personal retribution. “I want this posted in Augusta, Ninety Six, Fort Granby, and in Orangeburg. If this is done, I see no need for any correspondence with London.”

The secretary read the statement through several times and then said, “This will be done, but it must be clear that it comes from you personally and that this is not an official document that has the approval of the government.”

Brown agreed. The secretary placed two packets on the table and said, “The ship has completed loading and will sail tomorrow at daybreak. The captain is prepared to receive you and your horse late this afternoon.”

He then departed without another word. One envelope, addressed to him, contained twenty pounds and his orders, on a single sheet, to embark on the schooner Moriah, to proceed to St. Augustine, and to report to the senior military commander. The other, much thicker packet was addressed to Colonel Augustine Prevost and marked “personal and confidential.”

Brown followed his orders and found the Moriah to be quite different from the large square-rigger on which he had come to America. It was a small ship of about seventy tons, with a square stern, two masts, fore and aft sails, and a long bowsprit that carried a surprisingly large jib. His horse was placed in the hold with some cattle, and he was assigned to a small cabin with the first mate. Except for brief introductions, they hardly spoke during the short voyage. It seemed obvious to Brown that the ship’s officers were uncomfortable with him, probably familiar with his circumstances. He regretted having to use a crutch but was glad that bandages concealed his shorn head.