Captain Blood

aceous Brethren of the Coast, and the recent defeat by the Pride of Devon of two treasure galleons bound for Cadiz. It happened that the galleon which escaped in a more or less crippled co

English settlement. Unfortunately for himself and for many others, his brother the Admiral was not at hand to restrain him when for this purpose he fitted out the Cinco Llagas at San Juan de Porto Rico. He chose for his objective the island of Barbados, whose natural strengt

e had aroused no suspicion until he saluted the f

eep forward under the rising cloud of smoke, her mainsail unfurled to increase her steeri

n below drums were beating frantically, and a trumpet was bleating, as if the peril needed further advertising. As commander of the Barbado

double, despite his bulk and the he

aid he, "is what I call a timely interruption. Though what'll com

e picked up the palmetto leaf and carefully

me of whom were black and all of whom were in a state of panic. He led them into the low white house, to bring them fo

and threes, having abandoned their work upon finding t

tily armed guard dashed forth, t

woods, and lie close there, until this is o

e to be added to those massing in the town, so as t

obeyed him on the inst

hey thought. "Maybe there'll be no need to take to the woods at all, and, anyw

und score-rebels-convict all-they stayed to watch from their vantage-

en who knew that no quarter was to be expected in defeat. The ruthlessness of Spanish soldiery was a byword, and not at

action, he soon showed them that he was master of the situation. His guns turned now upon the open space behind the mole, where the incompetent Bishop had marshalled his men, tore the militia int

ily back. By sunset two hundred and fifty Spaniards were masters of Bridgetown, the islanders were disarmed, and at Government House, Governor Steed-his gout forgotten in his pa

ashes. And what time that suave and courtly commander was settling these details with the apoplectic British Governo

it-in that voluminous log from which the greater part of my narrative is derived. I have no intention of repeating any of it here. It is al

hair streaming behind her as she ran. After her, laughing and cursing in a breath, came a heavy-booted Spaniard. Almost he was upon her, when suddenly

he caught in the dusk the livid gleam of that

e shouted, and flung

ran him through the body. He did the thing skilfully: with the combined skill of

eaned panting and sobbing against

!" he

g him by her weight. "Who a

ond the corner round which she had fled from that Spanish ruffian. "Come," he urged again. An

almost at a run up the hill towards Colonel Bishop's house. He told her briefly who and what he was, and thereafter there was no conversation between them until they reached the big white house. It was all in da

Miss Bishop's, a little tremul

ut of which he had just come. He had conceived that she might have followed her uncle into Bridgetown, or committed

ter Blood,"

do you

han likely that the wretched plantation slaves might be in revolt and prove as great a danger as the

called. "It is

pause the door gaped wide. Beyond it in the wide hall stood Miss Arabella, a slim, virgina

n, who, falling upon Arabella's slender bosom, surrende

th you? What servants?

was James, an

way with you to Speightstown, or even farther north, where

g was over..." she was beg

s Traill will tell you as you go. In God's name,

ed me," sobbe

hop was aghast. "Save

night for chattering when you're out of this, and away beyond the

very pere

eak, Miss Trail!, tell her wheth

shuddering. "Do as he says-O

leaving Mr. Blood and

said she, through her diminishing tears. She

. That's why I'm here," said Mr. Bl

nderstand him, and she

ou kill him?" she

matter at all," he said. "What matters is that this fellow James should fetch the horses." And

t leave me here alone

me slowly back. Standing ab

t's all over now. You'll be away soon-away

tion to James who was to act as her guide, Miss B

nd seemed to have something to add. But whatever it was, it remained unspoken. The horses started, and receded into the sapphire starlit night, le

hat you did, Mr. Blood.

ats had faded. Then he sighed and roused himself. He had much to do. His journey into the town had not been one of idle curiosity to see how the Spaniards conducted themselves in victo

the stockade, where his fellow-slaves aw