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He wanted easier pickings, and that meant one of theother two vessels in the bay. It spluttered and flared, blue smoke pouredfrom it and drifted away on the sluggish breeze as the pitch-soakedlogs caught fire. From the place of honour Petrus van de Velde gazed with delightedanticipation down the length of the rosewood table above which hungmassive chandeliers, each burning fifty perfumed- candles. Beware, Sir Hal! Big Daniel roared, close beside him in theconfusion.

For once the gods have been kind. He felt theocean of his love for her pressing against the dyke of his restraint,like a high and irresistible tide. Hal felt daunted yet fascinated by the soundand promise of that name, its menace and challenge. The Lady Edwina was low on iron shot after her two year-long cruise,and some of the guns were loaded with water