Alvarado remained obstinately silent. He did not speak even when Morgan ruthlessly cut him across the cheek with his dagger. He did not utter a sound, although Mercedes groaned in anguish at the sight of his torture.
"You'd best kill him, captain," said L'Ollonois.
"No, I have need for him, I say," answered Morgan, giving over the attempt to make him speak. "Is any one here who has been at La Guayra recently?" he asked of the others.
"I was there last year on a trading ship of France," answered Sawkins.
"What garrison then?"
"About two hundred and fifty."
"Was it well fortified?"
"As of old, sir, by the forts on either side and a rampart along the sea wall."
"Were the forts in good repair?"
"Well kept indeed, but most of the guns bore seaward."