Then take one of the sloops, order your men aboard and put to sea, and the devil go with you." Cahusac would certainly have adopted that course if only his men had been unanimous in the matter.

They, however, were torn between greed and apprehension.

If they went they must abandon their share of the plunder, which was considerable, as well as the slaves and other prisoners they had taken.

If they did this, and Captain Blood should afterwards contrive to get away unscathed--and from their knowledge of his resourcefulness, the thing, however unlikely, need not be impossible--he must profit by that which they now relinquished.

This was a contingency too bitter for contemplation.