The discussion on this project was long and
eager. The Major, Caillaud and Zachariah steadfastly opposed it; not
because of its hardihood, but because of its folly. They were
outvoted; but they conceived themselves loyally bound to make it a
success. Zachariah and Caillaud were not of much use in
organisation, and the whole burden fell upon the Major. Externally
gay, and to most persons justifying the charge of frivolity, he was
really nothing of the kind when he had once settled down to the work
he was born to do. His levity was the mere idle sport of a mind
unattached and seeking its own proper object. He was like a cat,
which will play with a ball or its own tail in the sunshine, but if a
mouse or a bird crosses its path will fasten on it with sudden
ferocity. He wrought like a slave during the two months before the
eventful 10th March 1817, and well nigh broke his heart over the
business. Everything had to be done subterraneously; for though the
Habeas Corpus Act was not yet suspended, preparations for what looked
like war were perilous. But this was not the greatest difficulty.
He pleaded for dictatorial powers, and at once found he had made
himself suspected thereby.
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