"Would you have left her by her lone in a strange country?" answered my great-uncle impatiently. "Tut, man, be sensible. Who would suspect a man who had his daughter with him? 'Tis true this enterprise is fraught with danger, but no maid can go through life without sniffing peril. We will guard her as we shall the treasure."
"I'll hold you to that," rapped O'Donnell as he climbed over the bulwarks and felt for the ladder. "I am not proud of myself when I think of her innocence. Holy saints, what a coil! Well, well, no matter. I must be going, for the night wanes."
"Yes," assented Murray. "And stir your frigate's captain to a swift passage."
The Irishman nodded.
"If necessary we'll pass by the Havana. Luckily Porto Bello is the intendente's chief worry. You'll hover, then, off Moria Passage?"
"Aye, from the south tip of Hispaniola to the north of Porto Rico, save it storms, when we'll run for shelter in the Bay of Samana, where the old buccaneers were wont to lie. Diego can find us. He has done it before. Just give him ample time."
"So soon as the Santissima Trinidad has her orders Diego shall know."
He started to descend and then climbed back.
"She has heavy metal, Murray. Are you certain——"
My great-uncle laughed.