Doctor Syn on the High Seas - Thorndike Russell - Страница 45
- Предыдущая
- 45/50
- Следующая
drinking with him. Nothing lost, for they already curious to know who he
might be, they accepted with politeness, and Syn called for the best
wine and sat down.
He told them he w as Captain Clegg, and had arrived in Santiago, but
an hour. He was here on business, he said, and did any of them know a
Captain Nicholas Tappitt, who went by the name of Black Nick?”
They smiled, and one of them answered that “Black Nick” had been the
last name in their mouths.
“Perhaps, Captain Clegg, I can explain the better,” replied the
youngest of the party, a good-looking Spaniard, who, through dressed
very foppishly, had a manly bearing which Syn admired. “I am under a
commission for this Capt ain Nicholas,” he went on. “I know the man
personally, whereas these friends of mine only know of him by
reputation, which I agree is not of the best. They have been advising me
to have nothing to do with him, but I am one capable of looking after
myself a nd for the best advantage. I will take a chance hand with fate
always, Senor, and so long as this or that employer serves my turn, I
serve him. You see that vessel anchored there beyond the harbour mouth?
He had her built. Yesterday she did her trail sailing trip. She is
superb. I am in love with that ship, though not so partial to her
captain, this Black Nick. But he has something of a genius for ships,
though, as I tell to his face, not so good a genius for dealing with
men. I find myself in position of first mate. I have a full crew aboard,
and not one of them who is not discontented or ever we put for sea.
Black Nick wants all for nothing. He has got the crew aboard under false
pretense. Their share of profit accruing from adventures is reduced to
the were minimum. They risk their necks at the yard -arm of any
Government ship for a mere pittance. I see trouble. But the ship if
sweet. Her guns are good. Her speed amazing. She has it in her to escape
or to attack, according to the captain’s mood. She is all ready for sea,
and has been so these last four days. We only wait for Black Nick
himself. He is transacting business with a gentleman from Havana, a
rich-planter and ship-owner, who is staying with the Governor of this
Town. We are to be sailing consort with two ships of his from Havana.”
Syn nodded. “And your crew are no doubt the more discontented at
being kept aboard when they might be drinking ashore?”
“Aye, and another thing,” went on the Spaniard. “The Black Nick is to
bring his wife aboard. And the men say, ‘Petticoats for all or none.”’
“To be sure petticoats are damned bad things on ships,” said Syn.
“And where will I find this Black Nick before he sails?”
- 98 -
“The Governor’s house is some two miles out in the country. He took
his wife and son out there this morning, I believe. They are to sleep
there at night, which means a further delay and more flame to feed my
men’s anger. I am now bound for The Staunch Brotherhood Inn, where he
promised to leave the orders. I delayed here purposely in order to miss
him if possible.”
“I see that you have no love for him,” said Syn. “I also see that my
faithful servant has collected my baggage and engaged porters there.
Since we lodge at ‘The Staunch Brotherhood’, perhaps you will accompany
us there.”
So, taking leave of the others, they sauntered along the quay,
followed by Mipps and the porters.
Arrived at the Inn, Pedro led Syn aside. “You had scarce been gone a
moment when they returned. They had seen you passing on to the quay. As
I was hastening to lighten the news about their rooms, they cut me short
with orders as though they were in great panic. No blame at all they
gave me. They asked me how long you would be gone, and when I told them
you were but collecting your baggage from your ship, they opened this
chest and packed the pile of clothes into it in the greatest hurry. All
this while they kept the Governor’s carriage waiting for them. When they
had locked the trunks, Black Nick gave orders that Juan Tarragona (whom
your hon our is now with) was to see their baggage upon his ship, the St.
Nicholas , and wait for them to board sometime upon the morrow. They
asked me to say nothing about these rooms which you had compelled me to
give you. your honour will therefore respect my very good faith and not
betray me. Your honour has treated me well.”
“I shall say nothing, friend Pedro,” returned Syn, smiling at the
man’s roguery. “And you in your turn will say nothing of this to Senor
Tarragona. I will give him his captain’s orders myself. And now, a word
of advice to you. You will do yourself no harm in keeping faith with me
in the future, for I shall be the means of putting much gold into your
treasure -chests. Now repeat the orders he left for that officer.”
“That he would carry the baggage aboard the St. Nicholas; keep the
ship ready for sea, as his business was sure to be completed by tomorrow
or the next day at the latest. Then the St. Nicholas is to sail towards
Havana, enter the Gulf of Batabano, to the south of it, where the
treasure -ships for escort would be waiting behind the Island de Pinos.
That is exact.”
“I will tell him,” said Syn. “And you remember to keep silent, unless
he asks for confirmation. I shall be leaving you today, but if during my
absence an American Indian called ‘The Blue Heron’ should ask for me,
you will say that Captain Clegg is aboard his ship the Imogene. He will
hear of her, I promise you, and so will you. The Indian can join me
aboard when he learns where she lies, and in the meanwhile, await news
here at my expense.”
After making Pedro repeat these instructions, Syn sent him to order
two riding-horses to take him and his servant to the Governor’s house
outside the town. He then rejoined Tarragona with the news of Black
Nick’s order, which he a ltered to serve his own purpose.
“Black Nick left messages for both of us with the landlord. You are
to take his baggage aboard the St. Nicholas immediately. You will also
show me the kindness to take mine, too, for I am to sail with you to
Havana. Now between ourselves, my friend, I am a very wealthy man, and
if I like the ships behaviour upon this trip, I shall make Black Nick an
offer for her. He wishes
us to go aboard and keep ready for sea, as he will join us in two day’s
time.”
“Ah, no,” cried Tarragona. “A further delay will man a mutiny. It was
with difficulty that I persuaded the men to keep ship today. If we do
not sail tonight, they will overpower the officers and take to the
boats. Then we shall have a fine drunken crew ashore, I promise you.”
- 99 -
“Leave it to me,” said Syn. “You go back with the baggage—mine and
Black Nick’s. I am going to ride out now to talk with him at the
Governor’s house. I and my servant will be back within two hours, and I
warrant I’ll bring Black Nick along with us. After what you told me
about his wife, I shall persuade him to leave her behind. One woman upon
a long voyage is dangerous to a crew of rough morals. Now, what are
these two ships like, that we are to consort?”
“There again, cried out Tarragona. “Shomehow the news is out amongst
my crew that we are to take these treasure-ships to Spain. They even
know their names, The Santa Mariana nd the Santa Clesta. To speak
frankly, the men aboard the St. Nicholas are pirates of the worst type,
and this voyage with but little profit to them, seems of too peaceful an
- Предыдущая
- 45/50
- Следующая
