"
Lord Willoughby eyed him suspiciously. "Ye think that in the
meantime Bishop may come back or Admiral van der Kuylen's fleet
appear?"
"Sure, now, I'm thinking nothing of the kind. What I'm thinking
is that in this engagement with the fort M. de Rivarol, who's a
lubberly fellow, as I've reason to know, will be taking some damage
that may make the odds a trifle more even. Sure, it'll be time
enough to go forward when the fort has shot its bolt."
"Aye, aye!" The sharp approval came like a cough from the little
Governor-General. "I perceive your object, and I believe ye're
entirely right. Ye have the qualities of a great commander, Captain
Blood. I beg your pardon for having misunderstood you."
"And that's very handsome of your lordship. Ye see, I have some
experience of this kind of action, and whilst I'll take any risk
that I must, I'll take none that I needn't. But...." He broke off
to listen. "Aye, I was right. The fire's slackening. It'll mean
the end of Mallard's resistance in the fort. Ho there, Jeremy!"
He leaned on the carved rail and issued orders crisply.
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