"
M. de Cussy took snuff delicately. "I have something better than
that to propose," said he.
"Propose it, then," said Blood, without interest.
M. de Cussy looked at M. d'Ogeron, and raised his eyebrows a little.
He did not find Captain Blood encouraging. But M. d'Ogeron nodded
vigorously with pursed lips, and the Governor of Hispaniola
propounded his business.
"News has reached us from France that there is war with Spain."
"That is news, is it?" growled Blood.
"I am speaking officially, my Captain. I am not alluding to
unofficial skirmishes, and unofficial predatory measures which we
have condoned out here. There is war - formally war - between
France and Spain in Europe. It is the intention of France that
this war shall be carried into the New World. A fleet is coming
out from Brest under the command of M. le Baron de Rivarol for
that purpose. I have letters from him desiring me to equip a
supplementary squadron and raise a body of not less than a thousand
men to reenforce him on his arrival. What I have come to propose
to you, my Captain, at the suggestion of our good friend M.
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