The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-04
CHAPTER XIV
Corfa Oena

Having crossed the Caribbean in the
teeth of contrary winds, it was not un-
til the early days of April that the
French fleet hove in sight Of Carta-
gena and M. Rivarol summoned a coun-
ell board his flagship to determine the
method of assault.
1T is of Importance, messieurs," he
told them, that we take the city by
surprise, not only before it can put
itself into a safe state of defense; but
before it can remove it's treasure in
land. l propose to land force suf
ficient to achieve this in the north of the
city tonight after dark"
He was heard respectfully and ap-
provingly by his officers, scornfully by
Captain Blood. Blood was the only one
amongst them who knew exactly what
lay ahead. Two years ago he had him
self considered a raid upon the place,
and he had actually made a survey of
it. The Baron's proposal was one to
be expected from a commander whose
knowledge of Cartagena was only such
as might be derived from maps.
Geographically and strategically con-
sidered, it is curious place. 1t stands
almost four-sqaure, screened east and
north by hills, and it may be said to
face south upon the inner of two har-
bors by which it is normally approached.
The entrance to the outer harbor, which
is in reality lagoon some three miles
across, lies through a neck known as
the Boca Chica-or Little Mouth-and
defended by a fort. A long trip of
densely wooded land to westward acts
here as a natural breakwater, and as
the inner harbor is approached, another
strip of land thrusts across at right
angles from the first, towards the main
land on the east. Just short of this
it ceases, leaving a deep but very mar
row channel, vertiable gateway, into
the secure and sheltered inner harbor.
Another fort defends this second pass
age. East and north of Cartagena
! lies the mainland, which may be left
sout of account. But to the west and
northwest this city, SO well guarded on
every other side, lies directly open to
the sea. 1t stands back beyond a half
mile of beach, and besides this and the
stout walls which fortify it, would ap-
pear to have no other defenses.
1t remained for Captain Blood to ex.
plain difficulties when M. de Rivarol
informed him that the honor of open
Ing the assault in the manner which he
prescribed was to be accorded to the
Buccaneers.
IL Captain Blood smiled sardonic ap-
preciation of the honor reserved for his
men. 1t was precisely what he would
have expected. For the buccaneers the
dangers; for M. de Rivarol the honor,
glory and profit of the enterprise.
1T is an honor which 1 must de-
cline" said he quite coldly. VOL
Warcfona Or,1ntoI EoU
thorpe and Yberville nodded. II will
not lead my men into fruitless danger"
Look you, NJ. lie Captaine, since you
are afraid to undertake this thing, /
will myself undertake it," M. de Rivarol
declared. If / do so, shall have proved
you wrong, and shall have a word to
say to you tomorrow which you may not
like. l am being very generous with
you, sir. You have leave to CO."
1t was sheer obstinacy and empty
pride that drove him, and he received
the lesson he deserved. Close upon fifty
lives were lost in the adventure, to-
gether with half-a-dozen boats stored
with ammunition and light guns. The
BRron went back to his flagship an in
furiated, but by no means a wiser
man.
He was awakened at dawn by the
rolling thunder of guns. Emerging
upon the poop in nightcap and slippers,
he beheld a sight that increased his I'M
reasonable and unreasoning fury. The
four buccaneer ships under canvas were
half a mile off the Boca Chica and lit
tie more than half mile from the re-
rnainder of the fleet, and from their
Hanks flame and smoke were belching
each time they swung broadside to that
great round fort that guarded that mar
row entrance. The fort, although re-
turning the fire vigorously and vicious
", was suffering badly. Yet for all
their maneuvering the buccaneers were
not escaping punishment. The star
board gunwale of the Atropos had been
hammered into splinters, and a shot
had caught her astern in the coach.
The Elizabeth was badly battered about
the forecastle, and the Arabella's main
top had been shot away, whilst towards
the end of that engagement the Lachesis
came Keeling out of the fight with
shattered rudder, steering herself by
sweeps. There was a terrific explosion