Evening star., 1924-12-02
CONTINUED from Yesterdays starr

''Then you understood amiss, NJ. lie
Capitaine. You are here to receive
my commands. I have already de-
liberated and have decided. hope
you understand
"Oh, I understand" laughed Blood
but. I ask myself. do you?" And,
without giving the baron time to set
the angry question that was bub-
bling to his lips. he swept on: you
have 'deliberated.' you say, and you
: have decided. But unless your de-
cision rests upon a wish to destroy
my buccaneers, you will alter 1t
when l tell you something of which
] have knowledge. This city of
Cartagena looks very vulnerable on
the northern side, all open to the sea
as 1t apparently stands. Ask your
self, NJ. lie Baron, how came the
Spaniards who built it where 1T is
to have been at such trouble to
fortify 1t to the South, If from the
North 1t is so easily assailable."
That gave NJ. de Rivarol pause.
1.-The Spaniards," Blood pursued.
sare not quite the fools you are sup
posing them. Let me tell you, mes
Bieurs, that two years ago l made
= survey of Cartegena as a prelim-
mary to raiding it. I came hither
with some friendly trading Indians
myself disguised as an Indian, and
fn that guise ! spent week in the
city and studied carefully all it's ap-
proaches. On the side of the sea
where it looks SO temptingly open to
assault, there Is shoal water for over
half a mile out-far enough, ] assure
you, to insure that no ship shall come
within bombarding range of It. 1t
Is not safe to venture nearer land
than three-Quarters Of mile"
"But our landing will be effected
in canoes and piraguas and open
boats" cried an officer impatiently.
In the calmest season of the year
the surf will hinder any such opera
tion. And you will also bear in min6
that If landing We're possible as you
are suggesting, that landing could
not be covered by the ships guns.
In fact, it is the landing parties
would be in danger from their own
artillery"
IF the attack Is made by night, as
I propose. covering will be unneces-
sary. You should be ashore in force
before the Spaniards are aware of
the intent"
"You are assuming that Cartagena
is a city OF the blind. that at this
very moment they are not coming
our sails and asking themselves who
We are and what we intend"
but if they feel themselves secure
from the North, you suggest"
cried the baron impatiently, that
very security will lull them"
Perhaps. But, then, they are Sc
cure. Any attempt to land on this
side is doomed to failure at the hands
of Nature
Nevertheless. we make the at
tempt" said the obstinate baron,
whose haughtiness would not allow
hi, ;oy.l
IF you still choose to do SO after
what / have said, YOU are, OF course,
the person to decide. But ! do not
lead my men into fruitless danger"
IF / command you . . - the
baron was beginning. But Blood un-
tremendously interrupted him.
M. lie Baron. when NJ. de Cussy
engaged us on your behalf it was
as much on account of our knowledge
and experience in this class of war
:. fare as on account of our strength.
I have placed my own knowledge
and experience in this particular
matter at your disposal / will add
that l abandoned my own project of
rafdinG Cartagena, not being in suf-
hcient strength at the time to force
the entrance of the harbor which. is
the only way into the city. The
strength which you now command is
ample for that purpose"
But whilst we are doing that the
Spaniards will have time to remove
great part of the wealth this city
holds. We must taken them by sur
prise"
Capt. Blood shrugged IF this is
mere pirating raid, that, of course.
is prime consideration. 1t was with
me. But if you are concerned to
abate the pride of Spain and plant
the lilies of France on the forts of
this settlement, the loss of some
treasure should not really weigh for
much"
NJ. de Rivarol bit his lip in chagrin.
His gloomy eye SmoiGered as it con-
sIdered the Self-contained buccaneer
But if / command you to go-to
make the att" upt?" he asked
Answer me. monsieur. let US know
once for all where we stand, and
who commands this expedition"
positively, I find you tiresome."
said Capt. Blood, and he swung to NJ.
de CusSy, who sat there gnawing his
lip. intensely uncomfortable. IT ap-
peal to you, monsieur, to justify me
to the general"
NJ. de Cussy started out of his
gloomy abstraction. He cleared his
throat. He was extremely nervous.
In view of what Capt. Blood has
submitted"