Peter went over and knocked on her  door. “Señorita Martinez, please come out and write the letter.” Peter put several sheets of Foolscap, removed from the Captain’s desk, with the Ship’s name and owner listed. This would show that it was not a prank.<br/><br/>Peter waited for her to be seated and then said, “Write what you want in the letter besides what I tell you and no one else will read it.” “I know you carry your seal with you and you will use it ti seal the letter.” For the opening, you many say that you and list the names of the other three are being held captive.” “You have not been harmed nor will you be during the period of negotiations.” Peter paused and looked at Carlota and said, “Figure it will take one moon for the French ship to get to France and deliver the letter to the Spanish Ambassador. Another moon to be delivered to your father and  another for your father to raise the ransom and send a ship and finally a moon to get here.” “Four months, okay this is what you will put in your letter.” “You date the letter, beginning and end and tell him, If a French ship with the money is not in the French Port in four months with the ransom for you and the other three, then you shall become my wife with all the privileges and personal treasures that come with marriage.” Your ransom is three thousand pieces of eight and one thousand for each of the others.”  “You may write in there that for four and a half months, your virtue is safe and I am a man of my word.” He knew she had questions, so he asked “any questions?”