But Don Miguel was of stouter heart. True, his fleet had been partly
destroyed and partly captured. But then, he argued, he had been
taken utterly by surprise. That should not happen again. There
should be no surprising the fort. Let Captain Blood do his worst at
Maracaybo, there should be a bitter reckoning for him when eventually
he decided - as, sooner or later, decide he must - to come forth.
The Deputy-Governor was flung into panic. He lost his temper, and
said some hard things to the Admiral. But they were not as hard as
the thing the Admiral said to him in answer.
"Had you been as loyal to your King in hindering the entrance of
these cursed pirates as I shall be in hindering their going forth
again, we should not now find ourselves in our present straits.
So weary me no more with your coward counsels. I make no terms
with Captain Blood. I know my duty to my King, and I intend to
perform it. I also know my duty to myself. I have a private score
with this rascal, and I intend to settle it. Take you that message
back.
Pages:
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327