"And your King's servants. How far would his present Majesty go towards ransoming these unlucky soldiers?"
"He would go far, Monsieur. I have no commission from him to speak upon the matter: I could have no commission, seeing that his Majesty knew no more than I that Cromwell has sent unfortunate cavaliers to be enslaved in these savage seas; but I take it upon myself to say that his Majesty would sacrifice much to see them relieved."
"Well," said the Governor, "if he sends out money, I will see the matter most circumspectly attended to."
"He can send out no money," said Rupert gloomily. "His Majesty has nothing save for what I earn for him."
The Governor spread his hands. "Then what can you expect? There is nothing for it but to let your good friends continue their employment, unless——"
"Unless what, Monsieur?"
The Governor dropped his insouciance and stood to his feet. The drink seemed to warm into life within him. The Prince was still sitting absurdly enough in the window embrasure, with the fallen trap yawning beneath his feet. D'Ogeron strode up and faced him across the gap. "Give me the services of your fleet for six short months," he cried, "and the men shall be yours. We will send the ships away to-morrow to careen. I will despatch messengers, and these cavaliers of yours shall join them before they are cleaned. Then they shall sail away to harry a Spanish town on the Main, and their earnings during those six months shall count for all the ransom."
"It is a bargain," Rupert said. "The King will forgive my alienating his revenues for the sake of these cavaliers who have served him so well. So, Monsieur, I sell myself into the service of the Governor of Tortuga for six desperate months."
"Stay a moment," said the Frenchman. "I made no design on your Highness's utility. It is part of my design that the fleet should sail under an officer of my own, and that your Highness should stay on here, and accept my poor hospitality."
"And for why, Monsieur? Do you honour me by doubting my capacity as an admiral?"