This it is that accounts for the wonderful victories which we have gained there.

He would be a coward, indeed, who would not fight with thumbscrews and a bonfire behind him." "It is said that the queen and her ministers favor, though not openly, these adventures." "She cannot do it openly," said the old man, "for here in Europe we are at peace with Spain--worse luck." "How is it, then, that if we are at peace here, we can be at war in the Indian Seas ?" "That is more than I can tell thee, lad.

I guess the queen's writ runs not so far as that; and while her majesty's commands must be obeyed, and the Spanish flag suffered to pass unchallenged, on these seas; on the Spanish main there are none to keep the peace, and the Don and the Englishman go at each other's throats, as a thing of nature." "The storm is rising, methinks.

It is not often I have heard the wind howl more loudly.

It is well that the adventurers have not yet started.