ral harbour of Port Royal, and less than a
mile from the straits leading into it, which the fort commanded. It was
two hours and more since they had brought up thereabouts, having crept
thither unobserved by the city and by M. de Rivarol's ships, and all the
time the air had been aquiver with the roar of guns from sea and land,
announcing that battle was joined between the French and the defenders
of Port Royal. That long, inactive waiting was straining the nerves of
both Lord Willoughby and van der Kuylen.

"You said you vould show us zome vine dings. Vhere are dese vine dings?"

Blood faced them, smiling confidently. He was arrayed for battle, in
back-and-breast of black steel. "I'll not be trying your patience much
longer. Indeed, I notice already a slackening in the fire. But it's this
way, now: there's nothing at all to be gained by precipitancy, and a
deal to be gained by delaying, as I shall show you, I hope."

Lord Willoughby eyed him suspiciously. "Ye think that in the meantime
Bishop may come back or Admiral van der Kuylen's fleet appear?"

"Sure, now, I'm thinking nothing of the kind. What I'm thinking is that
in this engagement with the fort M. de Rivarol, who's a lubberly fellow,
as I've reason to know, will be taking some damage that may make the
odds a trifle more even. Sure, it'll be time enough to go forward when
the fort has shot its bolt."

"Aye, aye!" The sharp approval came like a cough from the little
Governor-General. "I perceive your object, and I believe ye're entirely
right. Ye have the qualities of a great commander, Captain Blood. I beg
your pardon for having misunderstood you."

"And that's very handsome of your lordship. Ye see, I have some
experience of this kind of action, and whilst I'll take any risk that
I must, I'll take none that I needn't. But...." He broke off to
listen. "Aye, I was right. The fire's slackening. It'll mean the end of
Mallard's resistance in the fort. Ho there, Jeremy!"

He leaned on the carved rail and issued orders crisply. The bo'sun's
pipe shrilled out, and in a moment the ship that had seemed to slumber
there, awoke to life. Came the padding of feet along the decks, the
creaking of blocks and the hoisting of sail. The helm was put over
hard, and in a moment they were moving, the Elizabeth following, ever in
obedience to the signals from the Arabella, whilst Ogle the gunner,
whom he had summoned, was receiving Blood's final instructions before
plunging do