"I have weighed
the risks and studied how to lessen them. In these desperate
straits...."
He broke off abruptly. A moment he frowned, deep in thought; then
his face was suddenly alight with inspiration. Slowly he drooped
his head, and sat there considering, weighing, chin on breast. Then
he nodded, muttering, "Yes," and again, "Yes." He looked up, to
face them. "Listen," he cried. "You may be right. The risks may
be too heavy. Whether or not, I have thought of a better way. That
which should have been the real attack shall be no more than a feint.
Here, then, is the plan I now propose."
He talked swiftly and clearly, and as he talked one by one his
officers' faces became alight with eagerness. When he had done,
they cried as with one voice that he had saved them.
"That is yet to be proved in action," said he.
Since for the last twenty-four hours all had been in readiness for
departure, there was nothing now to delay them, and it was decided
to move next morning.
Such was Captain Blood's assurance of success that he immediately
freed the prisoners held as hostages, and even the negro slaves,
who were regarded by the others as legitimate plunder.
Pages:
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337