His voice rang out, giving the necessary orders, and after an instant's pause, a score of hands sprang to execute them.
Came the creak of blocks and the rattle of slatting sails as they swung aweather, and Captain Blood turned and beckoned Lord Julian forward.
His lordship, after a moment's hesitation, advanced in surprise and mistrust--a mistrust shared by Miss Bishop, who, like his lordship and all else aboard, though in a different way, had been taken aback by Blood's sudden submission to the demand to lie to.
Standing now at the rail, with Lord Julian beside him, Captain Blood explained himself.
Briefly and clearly he announced to all the object of Lord Julian's voyage to the Caribbean, and he informed them of the offer which yesterday Lord Julian had made to him.
"That offer I rejected, as his lordship will tell you, deeming myself affronted by it.

Those of you who have suffered under the rule of King James will understand me.

But now in the desperate case in which we find ourselves--outsailed, and likely to be outfought, as Ogle has said--I am ready to take the way of Morgan: to accept the King's commission and shelter us all behind it." It was a thunderbolt that for a moment left them all dazed.

Then Babel was reenacted.

The main body of them welcomed the announcement as only men who have been preparing to die can welcome a new lease of life.