Gibbering and cursing, M. de Rivarol stood there and watched this
action, so presumptuously undertaken by Blood on his own
responsibility. The officers of the Victorieuse crowded round him,
but it was not until M. de Cussy came to join the group that he
opened the sluices of his rage. And M. de Cussy himself invited the
deluge that now caught him. He had come up rubbing his hands and
taking a proper satisfaction in the energy of the men whom he had
enlisted.
"Aha, M. de Rivarol!" he laughed. "He understands his business, eh,
this Captain Blood. He'll plant the Lilies of France on that fort
before breakfast."
The Baron swung upon him snarling. "He understands his business,
eh? His business, let me tell you, M. de Cussy, is to obey my
orders, and I have not ordered this. Par la Mordieu! When this
is over I'll deal with him for his damned insubordination."
"Surely, M. le Baron, he will have justified it if he succeeds."
"Justified it! Ah, parbleu! Can a soldier ever justify acting
without orders?" He raved on furiously, his officers supporting
him out of their detestation of Captain Blood.
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