I've no doubt at all the Spanish Admiral will welcome the abatement
of our numbers even at this late date. Ye shall have the sloop as
a parting gift from us, and ye can join Don Miguel in the fort for
all I care, or for all the good ye're likely to be to us in this
present pass."
"It is to my men to decide," Cahusac retorted, swallowing his fury,
and on that stalked out to talk to them, leaving the others to
deliberate in peace.
Next morning early he sought Captain Blood again. He found him
alone in the patio, pacing to and fro, his head sunk on his breast.
Cahusac mistook consideration for dejection. Each of us carries
in himself a standard by which to measure his neighbour.
"We have take' you at your word, Captain," he announced, between
sullenness and defiance. Captain Blood paused, shoulders hunched,
hands behind his back, and mildly regarded the buccaneer in silence.
Cahusac explained himself. "Last night I send one of my men to the
Spanish Admiral with a letter. I make him offer to capitulate if
he will accord us passage with the honours of war.
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