“Real war?” said Nancy.
“Blood and thunder,” said Captain Flint. “Three o’clock tomorrow, and I’ll be cleared for action. I’ll be ready to repel boarders, or sink both your ships, or hang the lot of you at the yardarm, or be captured as a Spanish brig or sunk as a Portuguese slaver … anything you like.”
He put them ashore at Wild Cat Island, and rowed back to bring order into his wrecked cabin.
“Goodbye,” they shouted after him in the friendliest manner.
“Goodbye,” he shouted back. “Three o’clock sharp. Then Death or Glory!”