Evening journal., 1923-01-15
q RAFAEL SABkTIHI
AEpcI NEA SEpNcE.Te1

{ ferred himS 5lf TO the Salvador,
, headed her down toward Palomas
, and the fort tina, guarded the pas
, sage. This fort the Admiral, in
= those days Of waiting. had taken
; the precaution secretly to garrison
and rearm. For the purpose he had
; stripped the fort of Cojero. farther
= out on the gulf OF its entire arma-
ment
With no suspicion or this, Captain
Blood gave chase. accompanied by
the Infanta, which was manned now
by prize-crew under the command
of Yberville. The stern chasers Of
the Salvador desultorily returned
the furnishing fire OF the pursuers:
but such was the damage she, her
self, sustained. that presently. COM
ing under the gums OF the fort. she
began to sink, and finally settled
down in the shadows with part OF
her hull above water. Thence. some
in boats and some by swimming, the
Admiral got his crew ashore on
Palomas as best he could.
And then. just as Captain Blood
accounted the victory won. the fort
suddenly revealed its formidable
and utterly unsupported strength.
With roar the cannons-royal pro-
claimed themselves, and the Arabella
staggered under a blow that smash
ed her bulwarks at the waist.
Meanwhile IL had Jared even
worse with the Trailer Infanta. Al
though hit by one shot only. this
! had crushed her larboard timbers
on the waterline.
out Of range. at last. they lay TO.
oined by the Elizabeth and the san
Felipe. to consider their position.
CHAPTER XVII
The Dupes
| Il was a crestfallen Captain Blood
Who presided over That hastily sum-
moned council held on the poop
deck Of the Arabella in the brilliant
morning sunshine.
He was compelled to admit that
nothing remained but 10 return TO
Maracaybo. there 10 reit the ships
before attempting to force the pas
sige.
And so, back to Maracaybo came
those defeated victors OF that short.
terrible fight.
Captain Blood went TO give his
surgeons skill 10 the wounded.
among whom 1e remained engaged
until late afternoon. Then he re-
turned 10 the house OF the Cover
nor, TO indite a very scholarly letter
in purest Castilian TO Don Miguel.
Il have shown your excellency
this morning OF what I am capable. 90
he wrote. Although outnumbered
by more than two 10 one in men, in
shile, and in guns, I have sunk or
captured the vessels OF the great
feet with which you were TO come to
Maracaybo TO destroy us. I should
not trouble your excellency with
this letter but that I am a humane 4
man, abhorring bloodshed. There
fore before proceeding 70 deal with
your fort. as I have dealt already
with your fleet I make you, purely
out Of humanitarian considerations
this last offer Of terms I will spare
this CITY Of Maracaybo and forth
with evacuate il. leaving behind me
the forty prisoners have taken. in
consideration Of your paying me the ,
sum Of fifty thousand pieces Of eight .
and one hundred head OF cattle as q ,
ransom, thereafter granting me I'M ,
moleeted passage OF the bar. II your
excellency should be so iIl-advised
as to refuse the terms. I warn Won
that you may expect no quarter /.
from US"
The letter written. he babe them :
bring him from among the prison
ers the Depuy- OF Mara
caybo. who had been taken. at Glib :
raltcr. Dlcloslng its contents TO
him, he dispatched him with it to
Don Miguel.
His choice OF messenger was
shrewd. The Deputy overnor was
Of all men the most anxious for the
ieliverance OF his city.
And as he reckoned so II befelI
The Deputy-Governor added his
own passionate pleading to the pro-
posals OF the letter.
But Don Miguel was OF stouter
heart. Let Captain Blood do his
worst at MaracaybO. there should be
4 bitter reckoning for him when
eventually he decided-as. sooner
pr later, decide he must-to come
'orth.
So back 20 Maracaybo, back to
MS own handsome house in which
'aptain Blood had established his
quarters. came the Depuy-Governor
o leave the Admirars answer.
No sooner had he departed than |
up leapt Cahusac. who had been of |
he coui ~ assembled to receive the
Admirars answer.
Your fool letter IL have seal. the
ON OF us ALL" said he.
Have We done?" quoth Blood
Iuietly. as the Frenchman paused 5
or breath.
I was hoping you d have some q
IDEAS yourself But since we're so :
desperately concerned to save your =
kin, you and those that think like a
GU are welcome to leave us. Ye
hall have the sloop as parting gift
rom us"
1T is to my men to decide" Oahu
nc retorted. swallowing his fury Il
nd on that stalked out to talk to |
| RneGkS c0ho MaM |