There were
twenty such in the bag, the very pick of those taken in that raid
upon the pearl fleet. "You boast a knowledge of pearls, Cahusac.
At what do you value this?"
The Breton took between coarse finger and thumb the proffered
lustrous, delicately iridescent sphere, his shrewd eyes appraising
it.
"A thousand pieces," he answered shortly.
"It will fetch rather more in Tortuga or Jamaica," said Captain
Blood, "and twice as much in Europe. But I'll accept your valuation.
They are almost of a size, as you can see. Here are twelve,
representing twelve thousand pieces of eight, which is La Foudre's
share of three fifths of the prize, as provided by the articles.
For the eight thousand pieces that go to the Arabella, I make
myself responsible to my own men. And now, Wolverstone, if you
please, will you take my property aboard the Arabella?" He stood
up again, indicating the prisoners.
"Ah, no!" Levasseur threw wide the floodgates of his fury. "Ah,
that, no, by example! You shall not take her...." He would have
sprung upon Captain Blood, who stood aloof, alert, tight-lipped,
and watchful.
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