others--Dyke, Ogle, Yberville, and even Pitt, whom loyalty to Blood
may have made reluctant--loudly approved him. When they had done, "I
have considered all," said Captain Blood. "I have weighed the risks and
studied how to lessen them. In these desperate straits...."

He broke off abruptly. A moment he frowned, deep in thought; then his
face was suddenly alight with inspiration. Slowly he drooped his head,
and sat there considering, weighing, chin on breast. Then he nodded,
muttering, "Yes," and again, "Yes." He looked up, to face them.
"Listen," he cried. "You may be right. The risks may be too heavy.
Whether or not, I have thought of a better way. That which should have
been the real attack shall be no more than a feint. Here, then, is the
plan I now propose."

He talked swiftly and clearly, and as he talked one by one his officers'
faces became alight with eagerness. When he had done, they cried as with
one voice that he had saved them.

"That is yet to be proved in action," said he.

Since for the last twenty-four hours all had been in readiness for
departure, there was nothing now to delay them, and it was decided to
move next morning.

Such was Captain Blood's assurance of success that he immediately freed
the prisoners held as hostages, and even the negro slaves, who were
regarded by the others as legitimate plunder. His only precaution
against those released prisoners was to order them into the church
and there lock them up, to await deliverance at the hands of those who
should presently be coming into the city.

Then, all being aboard the three ships, with the treasure safely stowed
in their holds and the slaves under hatches, the buccaneers weighed
anchor and stood out for the bar, each vessel towing three piraguas
astern.

The Admiral, beholding their stately advance in the full light of noon,
their sails gleaming white in the glare of the sunlight, rubbed his
long, lean hands in satisfaction, and laughed through his teeth.

"At last!" he cried. "God delivers him into my hands!" He turned to the
group of staring officers behind him. "Sooner or later it had to be," he
said. "Say now, gentlemen, whether I am justified of my patience. Here
end to-day the troubles caused to the subjects of the Catholic King by
this infamous Don Pedro Sangre, as he once called himself to me."

He turned to issue orders, and the fort became lively as a hive. The
guns were manned, the gunners already kindling fuses, when