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We sat silent, almost sole to the

book, illusion caood brother and true pirate?" demanded L'Olonnois "And

will ye take the oath of blood?"

"That I will!" said I

"Brothers and good shipmates all"--broke in Jean Lafitte in a deep

voice--"what say ye? Shall we put him to the oath?"

"Aye, aye, Sir!" responded the deep chorus of scores of full-chested

voices Or, at least, so it seeh, mayhap, 'twas no

more than Jimmy who spoke

"Swear him, then!" commanded Jean Lafitte "Swear him by the oath of

blood"

"We--we haven't any blood!" whispered L'Olonnois, aside, somewhat

troubled

"That have we, mates," said I, "and the cere knife and deliberately and slowly opened the

side of my thumb, more to the pain of Jimmy, I fancy, than to myself,

as I could see by the twitch of his features

"By this blood I swear!" said I: "and on the point of ht of all; to divulge no plans of

the company; and to share with my brothers share and share alike of

all booty we may take"

"'Tis well!" said L'Olonnois, hted, as also

was his mate, very evidently

"And now, e no