.
I do not forget, for instance, as you appear to be doing, that the
articles we signed are the condition of our service; and the articles
provide that we receive one-fifth share. Refuse us that, and you cancel
the articles; cancel the articles, and you cancel our services with
them. From that moment we cease to have the honour to hold rank in the
navies of the King of France."

There was more than a murmur of approval from his three captains.

Rivarol glared at them, checkmated.

"In effect..." M. de Cussy was beginning timidly.

"In effect, monsieur, this is your doing," the Baron flashed on him,
glad to have some one upon whom he could fasten the sharp fangs of his
irritation. "You should be broke for it. You bring the King's service
into disrepute; you force me, His Majesty's representative, into an
impossible position."

"Is it impossible to award us the one-fifth share?" quoth Captain Blood
silkily. "In that case, there is no need for beat or for injuries to
M. de Cussy. M. de Cussy knows that we would not have come for less.
We depart again upon your assurance that you cannot award us more. And
things are as they would have been if M. de Cussy had adhered rigidly
to his instructions. I have proved, I hope, to your satisfaction, M.
le Baron, that if you repudiate the articles you can neither claim our
services nor hinder our departure--not in honour."

"Not in honour, sir? To the devil with your insolence! Do you imply that
any course that were not in honour would be possible to me?"

"I do not imply it, because it would not be possible," said Captain
Blood. "We should see to that. It is, my General, for you to say whether
the articles are repudiated."

The Baron sat down. "I will consider the matter," he said sullenly. "You
shall be advised of my resolve."

Captain Blood rose, his officers rose with him. Captain Blood bowed.

"M. le Baron!" said he.

Then he and his buccaneers removed themselves from the August and irate
presence of the General of the King's Armies by Land and Sea in America.

You conceive that there followed for M. de Cussy an extremely bad
quarter of an hour. M. de Cussy, in fact, deserves your sympathy. His
self-sufficiency was blown from him by the haughty M. de Rivarol, as
down from a thistle by the winds of autumn. The General of the King's
Armies abused him--this man who was Governor of Hispaniola--as if he
were a lackey. M. de Cussy defended himself by urging the thing that