'How much longer do you keep me here, you damned scoundrel?'
'And where would you be going now?' wondered Captain Blood.
'Where would I be going? D'ye mock me, you cursed pirate? I'm going ashore, as you well know.'
'Do I, now? I wonder.'
'D'ye mean still to prevent me?'
'Faith, there may not be the need. I have a message for you from Sir James: a message and a book of poetry.'
Faithfully he delivered both. Mr Court changed colour, went limp, and sat down suddenly on a locker.
'Perhaps you'll be less eager now to land on Nevis. It may begin to occur to you that the West Indies are not the healthiest region for dalliance. Jealousy in the tropics can be like the climate — mighty hot and fierce. You'll wisely prefer, I should think, to find a ship somewhere that will carry you safely home to England.'
Mr Court wiped the perspiration from his brow
'Then you're not putting me ashore?'