ty of the blind, that at this
very moment they are not conning our sails and asking themselves who we
are and what we intend."

"But if they feel themselves secure from the north, as you suggest,"
cried the Baron impatiently, "that very security will lull them."

"Perhaps. But, then, they are secure. Any attempt to land on this side
is doomed to failure at the hands of Nature."

"Nevertheless, we make the attempt," said the obstinate Baron, whose
haughtiness would not allow him to yield before his officers.

"If you still choose to do so after what I have said, you are, of
course, the person to decide. But I do not lead my men into fruitless
danger."

"If I command you..." the Baron was beginning. But Blood unceremoniously
interrupted him.

"M. le Baron, when M. de Cussy engaged us on your behalf, it was as much
on account of our knowledge and experience of this class of warfare
as on account of our strength. I have placed my own knowledge and
experience in this particular matter at your disposal. I will add that
I abandoned my own project of raiding Cartagena, not being in sufficient
strength at the time to force the entrance of the harbour, which is the
only way into the city. The strength which you now command is ample for
that purpose."

"But whilst we are doing that, the Spaniards will have time to
remove great part of the wealth this city holds. We must take them by
surprise."

Captain Blood shrugged. "If this is a mere pirating raid, that, of
course, is a prime consideration. It was with me. But if you are
concerned to abate the pride of Spain and plant the Lilies of France
on the forts of this settlement, the loss of some treasure should not
really weigh for much."

M. de Rivarol bit his lip in chagrin. His gloomy eye smouldered as it
considered the self-contained buccaneer.

"But if I command you to go--to make the attempt?" he asked. "Answer me,
monsieur, let us know once for all where we stand, and who commands this
expedition."

"Positively, I find you tiresome," said Captain Blood, and he swung to
M. de Cussy, who sat there gnawing his lip, intensely uncomfortable. "I
appeal to you, monsieur, to justify me to the General."

M. de Cussy started out of his gloomy abstraction. He cleared his
throat. He was extremely nervous.

"In view of what Captain Blood has submitted...."

"Oh, to the devil with that!" snapped Rivarol. "It seems that I am
followed by poltroons. Look you, M. le Capitaine,