ing, and I intend to perform it. I also know my
duty to myself. I have a private score with this rascal, and I intend to
settle it. Take you that message back."

So back to Maracaybo, back to his own handsome house in which Captain
Blood had established his quarters, came the Deputy-Governor with the
Admiral's answer. And because he had been shamed into a show of spirit
by the Admiral's own stout courage in adversity, he delivered it as
truculently as the Admiral could have desired. "And is it like that?"
said Captain Blood with a quiet smile, though the heart of him sank
at this failure of his bluster. "Well, well, it's a pity now that the
Admiral's so headstrong. It was that way he lost his fleet, which was
his own to lose. This pleasant city of Maracaybo isn't. So no doubt
he'll lose it with fewer misgivings. I am sorry. Waste, like bloodshed,
is a thing abhorrent to me. But there ye are! I'll have the faggots to
the place in the morning, and maybe when he sees the blaze to-morrow
night he'll begin to believe that Peter Blood is a man of his word. Ye
may go, Don Francisco."

The Deputy-Governor went out with dragging feet, followed by guards, his
momentary truculence utterly spent.

But no sooner had he departed than up leapt Cahusac, who had been of the
council assembled to receive the Admiral's answer. His face was white
and his hands shook as he held them out in protest.

"Death of my life, what have you to say now?" he cried, his voice husky.
And without waiting to hear what it might be, he raved on: "I knew you
not frighten the Admiral so easy. He hold us entrap', and he knows it;
yet you dream that he will yield himself to your impudent message. Your
fool letter it have seal' the doom of us all."

"Have ye done?" quoth Blood quietly, as the Frenchman paused for breath.

"No, I have not."

"Then spare me the rest. It'll be of the same quality, devil a doubt,
and it doesn't help us to solve the riddle that's before us."

"But what are you going to do? Is it that you will tell me?" It was not
a question, it was a demand.

"How the devil do I know? I was hoping you'd have some ideas yourself.
But since Ye're so desperately concerned to save your skin, you and
those that think like you are welcome to leave us. I've no doubt at all
the Spanish Admiral will welcome the abatement of our numbers even at
this late date. Ye shall have the sloop as a parting gift from us, and
ye can join Don Miguel in the fort fo