I am acting upon the instructions of my Lord
Sunderland; and with a full knowledge of all the facts, his lordship
expressly designated Captain Blood for this commission if Captain
Blood could be persuaded to accept it."
Colonel Bishop's mouth fell open in surprise and dismay.
"Lord Sunderland designated him?" he asked, amazed.
"Expressly."
His lordship waited a moment for a reply. None coming from the
speechless Deputy-Governor, he asked a question: "Would you still
venture to describe the matter as a mistake, sir? And dare you
take the risk of correcting it?"
"I... I had not dreamed...."
"I understand, sir. Let me present Captain Blood."
Perforce Bishop must put on the best face he could command. But
that it was no more than a mask for his fury and his venom was
plain to all.
From that unpromising beginning matters had not improved; rather
had they grown worse.
Blood's thoughts were upon this and other things as he lounged
there on the day-bed. He had been a fortnight in Port Royal, his
ship virtually a unit now in the Jamaica squadron.
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