"Are you Captain Blood ?" "What else were ye supposing ?" Blood asked the question wearily, his mind on other things.

"I do not number thieves and pirates among my acquaintance." The cruel phrase filled his brain, reechoing and reverberating there.
But Lord Julian would not be denied.

He caught him by the sleeve with one hand, whilst with the other he pointed after the retreating, dejected figure of Don Miguel.
"Do I understand that ye're not going to hang that Spanish scoundrel ?" "What for should I be hanging him ?" "Because he's just a damned pirate, as I can prove, as I have proved already." "Ah!" said Blood, and Lord Julian marvelled at the sudden haggardness of a countenance that had been so devil-may-care but a few moments since.
"I am a damned pirate, myself; and so I am merciful with my kind.

Don Miguel goes free." Lord Julian gasped.

"After what I've told you that he has done?
After his sinking of the Royal Mary?
After his treatment of me--of us ?" Lord Julian protested indignantly.
"I am not in the service of England, or of any nation, sir.