# The Honour of M. de Rivarol explained — Captain Blood

> Chapter companion for Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini.

## What happens

Captain Blood confronts M. de Rivarol over the buccaneers' share of the spoils from Cartagena, but the Baron dismisses him. Rivarol then flees with the treasure, prompting Blood and his men to give chase. During the pursuit, they hear gunfire off Port Royal and discover a burning English ship, with Rivarol's Victorieuse among the receding squadron.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Rivarol betrays the buccaneers by fleeing with the treasure, breaking the alliance and prompting Blood's pursuit.

### Rebellion and Authority

Blood challenges Rivarol's authority over the distribution of spoils, and the buccaneers threaten mutiny against the French commander.

### Class and Social Mobility

Blood, a former physician turned buccaneer, confronts the aristocratic Rivarol, highlighting tensions between social classes and the struggle for fair treatment.

## Character check-ins

### Captain Peter Blood

Confronts M. de Rivarol about the buccaneers' grievances and the distribution of spoils; later leads the chase after Rivarol's betrayal.

### M. le Baron de Rivarol

The French General who dismisses Blood's complaints, cheats the buccaneers of their share, and flees with the treasure.

### Jeremy Pitt

Blood's friend and log-keeper; he identifies Rivarol's ship Victorieuse among the receding squadron after the battle.

### Wolverstone

One of the buccaneer captains who decides to remain in Cartagena rather than join the chase.

### Nathaniel Hagthorpe

Captain who sails with Blood in pursuit of Rivarol.

### Yberville

Buccaneer captain who, like Wolverstone, chooses to stay behind in Cartagena.

## Key lines

> My men are on the point of mutiny.

Blood warns Rivarol that the buccaneers are ready to rebel over the unfair distribution of treasure.

_Blood confronts Rivarol about the men's dissatisfaction._

> If she knew! If she knew! O God! I had thought to have done with piracy; thought to have done with it forever.

Blood laments to Pitt that his involvement in the Cartagena raid has dragged him back into piracy, and he fears how Arabella would judge him.

_Blood expresses his inner turmoil and regret over the events._

> Guns! ... Ten miles away, perhaps fifteen—somewhere off Port Royal, I should judge.

Pitt hears cannon fire and estimates it comes from the direction of Port Royal, about ten to fifteen miles distant.

_The sound of battle draws Blood's attention toward Jamaica._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_blood_se/chapters/xxviii-the-honour-of-m-de-rivarol
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_blood_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_blood_se/chapters