ever wavered in loyalty to Captain Blood. The French
officers--there were six of them present--stared their haughty surprise
at the buccaneer leader, whilst the Baron challengingly fired a question
at him.

"How? You decline it, 'sir? You decline to obey orders, do you say?"

"I understood, M. le Baron, that you summoned us to deliberate upon the
means to be adopted."

"Then you understood amiss, M. le Capitaine. You are here to receive
my commands. I have already deliberated, and I have decided. I hope you
understand."

"Oh, I understand," laughed Blood. "But, I ask myself, do you?" And
without giving the Baron time to set the angry question that was
bubbling to his lips, he swept on: "You have deliberated, you say, and
you have decided. But unless your decision rests upon a wish to destroy
my buccaneers, you will alter it when I tell you something of which
I have knowledge. This city of Cartagena looks very vulnerable on
the northern side, all open to the sea as it apparently stands. Ask
yourself, M. le Baron, how came the Spaniards who built it where it is
to have been at such trouble to fortify it to the south, if from the
north it is so easily assailable."

That gave M. de Rivarol pause.

"The Spaniards," Blood pursued, "are not quite the fools you are
supposing them. Let me tell you, messieurs, that two years ago I made a
survey of Cartagena as a preliminary to raiding it. I came hither with
some friendly trading Indians, myself disguised as an Indian, and in
that guise I spent a week in the city and studied carefully all its
approaches. On the side of the sea where it looks so temptingly open to
assault, there is shoal water for over half a mile out--far enough out,
I assure you, to ensure that no ship shall come within bombarding range
of it. It is not safe to venture nearer land than three quarters of a
mile."

"But our landing will be effected in canoes and piraguas and open
boats," cried an officer impatiently.

"In the calmest season of the year, the surf will hinder any such
operation. And you will also bear in mind that if landing were possible
as you are suggesting, that landing could not be covered by the ships'
guns. In fact, it is the landing parties would be in danger from their
own artillery."

"If the attack is made by night, as I propose, covering will be
unnecessary. You should be ashore in force before the Spaniards are
aware of the intent."

"You are assuming that Cartagena is a ci