is lordship was. "So that you're like to be in yet another sea-fight
afore ye've done wi' ships, my lord."

"That's a point we were just arguing," said Blood. "For I hold that
we're in no case to fight against such odds."

"The odds be damned!" Wolverstone thrust out his heavy jowl. "We're used
to odds. The odds was heavier at Maracaybo; yet we won out, and took
three ships. They was heavier yesterday when we engaged Don Miguel."

"Aye--but those were Spaniards."

"And what better are these?--Are ye afeard of a lubberly Barbados
planter? Whatever ails you, Peter? I've never known ye scared afore."

A gun boomed out behind them.

"That'll be the signal to lie to," said Blood, in the same listless
voice; and he fetched a sigh.

Wolverstone squared himself defiantly before his captain

"I'll see Colonel Bishop in hell or ever I lies to for him." And he
spat, presumably for purposes of emphasis.

His lordship intervened.

"Oh, but--by your leave--surely there is nothing to be apprehended from
Colonel Bishop. Considering the service you have rendered to his niece
and to me...."

Wolverstone's horse-laugh interrupted him. "Hark to the gentleman!" he
mocked. "Ye don't know Colonel Bishop, that's clear. Not for his niece,
not for his daughter, not for his own mother, would he forgo the blood
what he thinks due to him. A drinker of blood, he is. A nasty beast. We
knows, the Cap'n and me. We been his slaves."

"But there is myself," said Lord Julian, with great dignity.

Wolverstone laughed again, whereat his lordship flushed. He was moved to
raise his voice above its usual languid level.

"I assure you that my word counts for something in England."

"Oh, aye--in England. But this ain't England, damme."

Came the roar of a second gun, and a round shot splashed the water less
than half a cable's-length astern. Blood leaned over the rail to speak
to the fair young man immediately below him by the helmsman at the
whipstaff.

"Bid them take in sail, Jeremy," he said quietly. "We lie to."

But Wolverstone interposed again.

"Hold there a moment, Jeremy!" he roared. "Wait!" He swung back to face
the Captain, who had placed a hand on is shoulder and was smiling, a
trifle wistfully.

"Steady, Old Wolf! Steady!" Captain Blood admonished him.

"Steady, yourself, Peter. Ye've gone mad! Will ye doom us all to hell
out of tenderness for that cold slip of a girl?"

"Stop!" cried Blood in sudden fury.

But Wolversto