Captain Blood · Chapter
XXVII: Cartagena explained
The French fleet arrives at Cartagena in early April.
What happens
The French fleet arrives at Cartagena in early April. M. de Rivarol proposes a plan of assault based on maps, but Captain Blood, who had previously surveyed the city, points out its deceptive defenses. Blood declines the honor of leading the assault as ordered, instead offering a revised plan that involves storming the fort from the landward side. Despite French blunders, the buccaneers' fury secures victory. Cartagena surrenders, and Rivarol imposes harsh terms, plundering the city while claiming it as a French colony. Blood later reports the capture of the outer fort and suggests a strategy to take the inner harbor and the strategic heights, which Rivarol accepts.
Themes in this chapter
Rebellion and Authority
Blood openly defies Rivarol's orders, asserting his own strategic judgment and challenging the French commander's authority.
War and Piracy
The chapter depicts the brutal conquest of Cartagena, blending military tactics with buccaneer plunder and the exploitation of the city.
Class and Social Mobility
Rivarol's aristocratic disdain contrasts with Blood's practical leadership, highlighting the social tensions between French nobles and buccaneer captains.
Characters to notice
- Captain Peter Blood
Leads the buccaneers, uses his prior knowledge of Cartagena to challenge Rivarol's flawed plan, and orchestrates the successful assault.
- M. le Baron de Rivarol
French commander who initially dismisses Blood's counsel but later adopts his strategy; oversees the plunder of Cartagena.
- Wolverstone
Buccaneer captain who grunts approval at Blood's defiance of Rivarol.
- Nathaniel Hagthorpe
Buccaneer captain who nods in support of Blood's refusal.
- Yberville
French officer loyal to Blood, resenting Rivarol's superciliousness.
- M. d'Ogeron
Appointed Governor of Cartagena by Rivarol after the city's surrender.
Key passages
““It is an honour which I must decline,” said he quite coldly.”
Blood flatly refuses the dangerous assignment Rivarol offers.
Blood's defiance sets the stage for his strategic intervention.
““I understood, M. le Baron, that you summoned us to deliberate upon the means to be adopted.””
Blood reminds Rivarol that the council was meant for discussion, not just receiving orders.
Blood challenges the Baron's assumption of absolute command.
““I have to report, M. le Baron, that we are in possession of the fort on Boca Chica.””
Blood announces the successful capture of the outer fort.
Blood's success forces Rivarol to accept his plan despite earlier hostility.
““You are fortunate, M. Blood, that you succeeded,” he said. “It would have gone very ill with you had you failed.””
Rivarol grudgingly acknowledges Blood's success but warns of consequences if he had failed.
The tension between Blood and Rivarol persists even after victory.