"Undermanned as we are, mustering a bare twenty men, in what case are we to fight?
No, there would be only one way.

To persuade her that all is well aboard, that we are Spaniards, so that she may leave us to continue on our course." "And how is that possible ?" Hagthorpe asked.
"It isn't possible," said Blood.

"If it...." And then he broke off, and stood musing, his eyes upon the green water.

Ogle, with a bent for sarcasm, interposed a suggestion bitterly.
"We might send Don Diego de Espinosa in a boat manned by his Spaniards to assure his brother the Admiral that we are all loyal subjects of his Catholic Majesty." The Captain swung round, and for an instant looked as if he would have struck the gunner.

Then his expression changed: the light of inspiration Was in his glance.
"Bedad! ye've said it.