shop; they would make of Blood's own surrender merely an
additional card in this game against the Governor of Jamaica.

"It's through her that we're in this trap," Ogle stormed on. "Through
her and through you. It was to bring her to Jamaica that you risked all
our lives, and we're not going to lose our lives as long as there's a
chance to make ourselves safe through her."

He was turning again to the helmsman below, when Blood's grip tightened
on his arm. Ogle wrenched it free, with an oath. But Blood's mind was
now made up. He had found the only way, and repellent though it might be
to him, he must take it.

"That is a desperate chance," he cried. "Mine is the safe and easy
way. Wait!" He leaned over the rail. "Put the helm down," he bade Pitt.
"Heave her to, and signal to them to send a boat."

A silence of astonishment fell upon the ship--of astonishment and
suspicion at this sudden yielding. But Pitt, although he shared it, was
prompt to obey. His voice rang out, giving the necessary orders, and
after an instant's pause, a score of hands sprang to execute them.
Came the creak of blocks and the rattle of slatting sails as they swung
aweather, and Captain Blood turned and beckoned Lord Julian forward.
His lordship, after a moment's hesitation, advanced in surprise and
mistrust--a mistrust shared by Miss Bishop, who, like his lordship and
all else aboard, though in a different way, had been taken aback by
Blood's sudden submission to the demand to lie to.

Standing now at the rail, with Lord Julian beside him, Captain Blood
explained himself.

Briefly and clearly he announced to all the object of Lord Julian's
voyage to the Caribbean, and he informed them of the offer which
yesterday Lord Julian had made to him.

"That offer I rejected, as his lordship will tell you, deeming myself
affronted by it. Those of you who have suffered under the rule of King
James will understand me. But now in the desperate case in which we find
ourselves--outsailed, and likely to be outfought, as Ogle has said--I
am ready to take the way of Morgan: to accept the King's commission and
shelter us all behind it."

It was a thunderbolt that for a moment left them all dazed. Then Babel
was reenacted. The main body of them welcomed the announcement as only
men who have been preparing to die can welcome a new lease of life. But
many could not resolve one way or the other until they were satisfied
upon several questions, and chiefly upon