“Serviteur!” said he.
M. de Cussy returned the bow and accepted a seat on the locker under the stem windows.
“You have a good force here under your command, my Captain,” said he.
“Some eight hundred men.”
“And I understand they grow restive in idleness.”
“They may go to the devil when they please.”
M. de Cussy took snuff delicately. “I have something better than that to propose,” said he.
“Propose it, then,” said Blood, without interest.
M. de Cussy looked at M. d'Ogeron, and raised his eyebrows a little. He did not find Captain Blood encouraging. But M. d'Ogeron nodded vigorously with pursed lips, and the Governor of Hispaniola propounded his business.
“News has reached us from France that there is war with Spain.”