# XXVII: Cartagena explained — Captain Blood

> Chapter companion for Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> “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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_blood_se/chapters/xxvii-cartagena
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_blood_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_blood_se/chapters