Punctually as the last grains ran out, the door reopened.
The Spaniard sighed, and sat upright to face the returning Captain Blood with the answer for which he came.
"I have thought of an alternative, sir captain; but it depends upon your charity.

It is that you put us ashore on one of the islands of this pestilent archipelago, and leave us to shift for ourselves." Captain Blood pursed his lips.

"It has its difficulties," said he slowly.
"I feared it would be so." Don Diego sighed again, and stood up.

"Let us say no more." The light-blue eyes played over him like points of steel.
"You are not afraid to die, Don Diego ?" The Spaniard threw back his head, a frown between his eyes.
"The question is offensive, sir." "Then let me put it in another way--perhaps more happily: You do not desire to live ?" "Ah, that I can answer.

I do desire to live; and even more do I desire that my son may live.