I'll give them their choice, and, as for Cochose, I've taken his measure once already, and am ready to try it again." "And what will you tell them, Senor ?" I caught my breath, conscious of his meaning.

My secret hope could not be revealed to this fellow.

However hate and ambition might sway him, and however personal fear might influence him, at the moment, his purpose and mine were entirely different.

Piracy was his life; he knew and cared for nothing else.

In innate savagery he was not better than any of the others, and must be dealt with accordingly.