"
"How could I in honesty have detained them? It was in the bargain.
Besides, how could their staying have helped me?" And as Pitt did
not answer him: "Ye see?" he said, and shrugged. "I'll be getting
my hat and cane and sword, and go ashore in the cock-boat. See it
manned for me."
"Ye're going to deliver yourself into Bishop's hands," Pitt warned
him.
"Well, well, maybe he'll not find me quite so easy to grasp as he
imagines. There's a thorn or two left on me." And with a laugh
Blood departed to his cabin.
Jeremy Pitt answered the laugh with an oath. A moment he stood
irresolute where Blood had left him. Then slowly, reluctance
dragging at his feet, he went down the companion to give the order
for the cock-boat.
"If anything should happen to you, Peter," he said, as Blood was
going over the side, "Colonel Bishop had better look to himself.
These fifty lads may be lukewarm at present, as you say, but - sink
me! - they'll be anything but lukewarm if there's a breach of faith."
"And what should be happening to me, Jeremy? Sure, now, I'll be
back for dinner, so I will.
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