And then Captain Blood drew a bow at a venture--or not quite at a venture.

Such a coast-line as that, if not of the main itself, and the main he knew it could not be, must belong to either Cuba or Hispaniola.

Now knowing Cuba to lie farther north and west of the two, it followed, he reasoned swiftly, that if Don Diego meant betrayal he would steer for the nearer of these Spanish territories.

"That land, you treacherous, forsworn Spanish dog, is the island of Hispaniola." Having said it, he closely watched the swarthy face now overspread with pallor, to see the truth or falsehood of his guess reflected there.

But now the retreating Spaniard had come to the middle of the quarter-deck, where the mizzen sail made a screen to shut them off from the eyes of the Englishmen below.