'For Port au Prince!' ejaculated Captain Blood, to interrupt him, 'He's gone to Port au Prince?'
'That was his destination when he departed yesterday. It's his last port of call before he sails for France.'
'So, so!' The Captain was thoughtful. 'That means, then, that he will be returning by way of the Tortuga Channel?'
'Of course, since in the alternative he would have to sail round Hispaniola.'
'Now, glory be, I may not be too late, after all. Couldn't I intercept him as he returns, and try my persuasive arts on him?'
'You'd waste your time, Captain.'
'You make too sure. It's the great gift of persuasion I have. Sustain your hopes awhile, my friend, until I put Monsieur de Saintonges to the test.'
But to raise from their nadir the hopes of Monsieur d'Ogeron something more was necessary than mere light–hearted assurances. It was with the sigh of an abiding despondency that he bade farewell that day to Captain Blood, and without confidence that he wished him luck in whatever he might adventure.
What form the adventure might take, Captain Blood, himself, did not yet know when he quitted the Governor's house and went aboard his own splendid forty–gun ship the Arabella, which, ready for sea, fitted, armed and victualled, had been standing idle during his late absence. But the thought he gave the matter was to such good purpose that late that same afternoon, with a definite plan conceived, he held a council of war in the great cabin, and assigned particular duties to his leading associates.
Hagthorpe and Dyke were to remain in Tortuga in charge of the treasure–ships. Wolverstone was given command of the Spanish Admiral's captured flagship, the Maria Gloriosa, and was required to sail at once, with very special and detailed instructions. To Yberville, the French buccaneer who was associated with him, Blood entrusted the Elizabeth, with orders to make ready to put to sea.