very stem and dignified. His eyes took in the
situation at a glance, as Captain Blood rose to greet him.

"It's mighty friendly of you to have joined us, my lord."

"Captain Blood," said his lordship with asperity, "I find your humour a
little forced. I don't know what may be your intentions; but I wonder do
you realize the risks you are running."

"And I wonder does your lordship realize the risk to yourself in
following us aboard as I had counted that you would."

"What shall that mean, sir?"

Blood signalled to Benjamin, who was standing behind Bishop.

"Set a chair for his lordship. Hayton, send his lordship's boat ashore.
Tell them he'll not be returning yet awhile."

"What's that?" cried his lordship. "Blister me! D'ye mean to detain me?
Are ye mad?"

"Better wait, Hayton, in case his lordship should turn violent," said
Blood. "You, Benjamin, you heard the message. Deliver it."

"Will you tell me what you intend, sir?" demanded his lordship,
quivering with anger.

"Just to make myself and my lads here safe from Colonel Bishop's
gallows. I've said that I trusted to your gallantry not to leave him in
the lurch, but to follow him hither, and there's a note from his hand
gone ashore to summon the Harbour-Master and the Commandant of the
fort. Once they are aboard, I shall have all the hostages I need for our
safety."

"You scoundrel!" said his lordship through his teeth.

"Sure, now, that's entirely a matter of the point of view," said Blood.
"Ordinarily it isn't the kind of name I could suffer any man to apply to
me. Still, considering that ye willingly did me a service once, and
that ye're likely unwillingly to do me another now, I'll overlook your
discourtesy, so I will."

His lordship laughed. "You fool," he said. "Do you dream that I came
aboard your pirate ship without taking my measures? I informed the
Commandant of exactly how you had compelled Colonel Bishop to accompany
you. Judge now whether he or the Harbour-Master will obey the summons,
or whether you will be allowed to depart as you imagine."

Blood's face became grave. "I'm sorry for that," said he.

I thought you would be, answered his lordship.

"Oh, but not on my own account. It's the Deputy-Governor there I'm sorry
for. D'ye know what Ye've done? Sure, now, ye've very likely hanged
him."

"My God!" cried Bishop in a sudden increase of panic.

"If they so much as put a shot across my bows, up goes their
Deputy-Governor to the y