No prospects2 could have been blacker than ours when we set sail again in the little brigantine from La Guayra. Of food we were well-nigh destitute3; the little water remaining to us stank4; the vessel5 herself had grown even still more leaky through straining at her anchor amongst the rough seas of the roadstead; and (as though out of sheer aggravation) one of the black slaves had died, leaving only three to carry on the necessary work.
Than bailing6 water out of a leaky vessel's bilges there is no labour more detestably menial; but a Prince of birth can be drowned by a ship swamping beneath him as glibly7 as a common sailor-man; and so as the remaining blacks showed clear signs of exhaustion8, Rupert and his humble9 secretary had to take their turn at this occupation, and ply10 their utensils11 too with lusty vigour12. It was extraordinary how fluent were the leaks. "They say that witches do sea-travelling in baskets," said Prince Rupert once. "I wish we had one aboard here to teach us the trick, if indeed this basket is not too large-meshed for a witch's skill."
His secretary looked at the dim line of the coast. "Anything would be better than staying here to be drowned like puppies under a bucket. It tears me to think that your Highness's dear life should be in this horrid13 danger."
"My dear life has been in worse case many a time when it was more pleasant to me, lad. And now that it is soured somewhat through thought of a certain lady, why, there you have all the more reason why it will not be cut short. I quite agree with you that there is a strong need that we should find soon a scheme to better our position; but at present I can think of none; and as for taking another turn on the shore yonder, why, that I flatly refuse to think about. I have no appetite for plunging14 about those pestiferous mangrove15 swamps till the Spaniards starve us out, and take us by sheer numbers and strength. In fact, I do not want to appear next before the Governor of Caraccas as a prisoner, Master Stephen. You will doubtless appreciate many of my reasons."
And there the poor secretary, being in truth a maid herself, and passionately16 enamoured of his Highness, turned away and faced the glaring sea, lest the jealousy18 that consumed her might be seen written upon her face. Though what Rupert could see in that creature puzzles her even to this day.
But neither Prince Rupert nor Master Laughan, his secretary, could afford to keep their thoughts entirely19 on this Donna Clotilde whom they had left behind them still in the safe keeping of her uncle the Governor of Caraccas. Their present discomforts20 went far to wean them from the memory of what had immediately passed. Their hunger and thirst grew upon them; their limbs ached with the incessant21 toil22 of keeping the crazy vessel afloat; an intolerable tropic sun scorched24 them from overhead; and, as though their case was obviously desperate even to the fish of the sea, three great sharks swam after the little brigantine in convoy25. Moreover, one of the blacks began to show signs of delirium26, and had to be confined with leg-irons so that he should not leap over-side, and lose them his services.
For three days this miserable27 voyage acquired to itself new miseries28, and yet no plan came to the voyagers for lightening their case. In fine (and it is hard for the secretary to say such a thing about her revered29 patron), Prince Rupert lost his reckoning, and owned as much. He was at the best an inaccurate30 navigator, being brought up to nobler trades. And so there they were careering through a hot sun-scorched sea, with no land in sight, and the only hope remaining to them that if they kept at it long enough, they would, if they did not starve or drown first, fetch up somewhere in the long run.
"We are true buccaneers now, lad," said Rupert lightly, "for viler31 navigators and more desperate blades never sailed the Caribbean. My courage would be equal to attacking a caravel single-handed now—especially if my nose told me he had a meal preparing in his cook house."
As the sun lowered on that fourth day of their travel, a fog bank lifted out of the ocean ahead, a common enough sight in those unwholesome seas of the New World, and a breeding place for the calentura and other disorders34. There is nothing in this you will say worthy35 of being commented upon in these memoirs36; but when dark at last fell with all its tropical suddenness, this fog lit up with a glow, and as they drove nearer to it in their voyage, this glow seemed to collect and concentrate upon a centre.
At first they had taken the appearance for some trick of the sun which in these regions often leaves a reflection in the Eastern sky that lingers long after its setting; but this glow endured too long, and moreover it grew more concentrated, and increased in brightness; and so there came to the Secretary's lips a suggestion that some island lay ahead, and that its savannahs had been fired by buccaneers to drive the game into their snares37. "There may be a wholesome33 meal close ahead of us," said the secretary, "and afterwards, your Highness' charm will surely enlist38 some of these rude hunters into your service. It is my humble suggestion that Providence evidently intends us to find profit presently from some adventure ashore39."
"That may be," said Rupert. "But my own idea is that shore's as far off as ever, and that just now we're staring at somebody's ship ablaze40. Look now; if we bale a little harder, we may dare to give this basket of ours a few square yards more sail, and so come up with her all the quicker."
So they set the blacks to loose and hoist41 the two topsails, and sheet them home, and then took it by turns to assist the tired creatures at their intolerable baling.
The Secretary will confess to have experienced a pang42 when the next half-hour's sailing proved His Highness to be right. On land once more, she could have shown a stout43 manner to whatever adventure or hardship lay before them. But land seemingly lay as far off as ever; indeed they did not even know its whereabouts; and here on this unstable44 sea poor Master Stephen was every minute forced violently to drag back her courage, lest it should slip from her shuddering45 breast and be overboard beyond reclaim46. Indeed only the all-mastering love she bore for this adorable hero kept her from disgracing the livery of her borrowed manhood.
But Rupert's courage was in no way dulled; indeed matters that would have daunted47 all other men (let alone maids) always heartened that great soldier; and, besides, with his infinite strategy he saw here ahead of him an opportunity for earning monies for his master the King at the Hague, whom he was so diligently48 endeavouring to serve. From the moment of making sure that the glow came from a burning ship, he was all of a fidget to make the brigantine move faster; and indeed his haste was natural, for as they drew more near, and the wind slackened, it seemed likely that the ship would burn to the water's edge and sink before he could come up and drive his bargain with her.
They could see the vessel plainly now, a tidy-sized pink (or brig, to give her the newer name) with her bolt-sprit a mere49 flag of fire, her foremast already over the side, and the forepart of her hull50 little better than a bonfire of flames. The men upon her stood out black against the blaze which they fought so vehemently51 to subdue52. They were massed for the most part in a mob on her aftercastle and as they drew nearer, Prince Rupert could see others standing53 on stages slung54 over the side, passing up water to quench55 the flames in every conceivable shape of pitcher56, from ale-jacks to mess-kids.
It cannot be said that the reckless fellows showed any outward fear for the horrid death that was already beginning to scorch23 them. They were chanting a psalm57 when the brigantine first drove within earshot; but apparently58 thinking they had done enough for their souls with this exercise, they presently set up some ribald drinking song which had acquired a dirty popularity in the taverns59 of Tortuga, and bawled60 it out full-lunged to the accompaniment of water hisses61 and flame-roar.
With the glare of the fire dazzling their eyes, and the occupation of fighting it filling their minds, they did not see the brigantine till she sailed up through their smoke and rounded up head to wind just beyond pistol-shot; and when they did make the discovery, their behaviour was none too civil. Even had there been any doubt about their being French and English buccaneers, they proved it very plainly now. Spaniards would have shown panic and pleaded for their lives with threats and promises: these fellows were for taking what they wanted by sheer dash and impudence62.
"Just the packet we want, lads," roared the great rude creature who commanded her. "She's only a Jack-Spaniard, and'll be taken as easy as skinning a bull. Strip and swim for her. We'll come back and salve our plunder63 afterwards."—Upon which they all began to doff64 their draggled finery with astonishing haste.
But Rupert stood up in the brigantine's rigging and called sharply for them to wait a moment and hear him. Upon which, catching65 the sound of his English words, they stopped their bawling66 and listened.
"I am willing to give you passage, gentlemen, upon reasonable conditions. But my conditions I must have: you will understand I am no common carrier."
The tall man who had spoken before gave voice. "You seem to talk very big, you in your small ship. I am Captain Wick. Who the devil are you?"
Prince Rupert louted low. "I fear you will not know my poor name sir, though at home in England and Europe it has been heard some few times. There they call me Rupert Palatine."
The tall man whistled. "You'll be the Captain that pawned68 his ships to old Skin-the-Pike in Tortuga?"
"Monsieur D'Ogeron, the Governor, held some cavaliers who were my very dear friends, and no other way showed itself of ransoming69 them. Besides, I wanted their swords for my enterprises."
"Well, gratitude's no crime, though there's many in these pagan seas thinks it first cousin to foolishness. No, I can't say I think any the worse of you, Captain Rupert, for what you have done."
"Sir," said the Prince, "your approval overwhelms me."
"Don't mention it," said Captain Wick, "and don't let us waste any more time in speeches. This perch71 here is getting hot. Take us off, like a decent man, and you have my word for it you shall be no loser. We gutted72 a fat Spaniard yesterday—a Seville ship he was, new out of Maracaibo—and after the fight, all our hands got so drunk, he had the ingratitude73 to slip away; and as we found ourselves afire in the forehold, we'd no time just then to set about rechasing him. I'll make free to own the fire was beginning to bother us when you came up."
"It has a solid look about it just now," said Rupert, and he had to shout, for the roar of the devouring74 flames overtopped all quieter voice. "And so as a business man yourself you will be ready to pay all the higher for your conveyance75 elsewhere. It is well we should get these ungenteel matters of commerce settled first. It would put an unpleasant finish on our voyaging together if bad blood rose between us when the hour came for settling the bill for passages."
Whereupon Captain Wick broke out into some very fierce and wrathful language.
But Prince Rupert preserved an admirable temper. "Sir," he said, "I am new to this trade of passenger-carrying, and I trust I have too much niceness to make a commencement with a bevy76 of unwilling77 guests. Let me call to your mind that I am offering no compulsion. If you do not like my terms, I will draw off and continue my proper voyage, and as for you—why, you, sir, and your merry gentlemen can continue to tend your fire."
It was clear that Captain Wick had fine appetite for another outburst of words and temper; but the growing heat of the flames behind was every moment worse to be borne, and so with a hard effort he kept his tongue civil. "Well," he said, "what are your terms?"
"I do not want, sir, to drive too hard a bargain. I will not take more than you can offer."
"Meaning all we have? That's gluttonous78 enough, anyway."
"I did not come out to these amusing seas merely to study philosophy and refinement79."
"That I'll be sworn you didn't. You might be a common buccaneer like me, with a matelot ashore to provide for, from the keenness you show."
"Why there, sir," said Rupert, "you have hit off my condition in a phrase. I was formally and solemnly adopted into your desirable Brotherhood80 after strict examination and full trial of my poor abilities, and I have a good camerade now meat-hunting ashore in Hispaniola. Even if I were disposed to forego my own advantage, I could not remain loyal to him and let this chance of earning moneys slip by me. It is a vital condition of our partnership81 that we share and share alike, and that each should do his best for his matelot."
"You need not remind an old buccaneer of the first principle of the Brotherhood. How do they name your matelot?"
"Simpson. He's a finely accurate shot."
"A man well freckled82 with pock-markings?"
"He is so distinguished83."
"Simpson and I have been shipmates. Well, I'll have no hand in defrauding84 Simpson—especially as I've small choice in the matter. But if the chance comes my way for driving another hard bargain, just you look to yourself, Captain Rupert."
"Sir," said the Prince, "I've done very little else these some years. Do you answer for your crew standing honourably85 by the conditions?"
"You shall swear each fellow for yourself when they come aboard. Man, make haste and bring that cockle-shell of yours athwart our stern. The bacon is beginning to frizzle on us already, and presently some of us will be cooked alive. I must say you make a rather poor show of your hospitality."
"You will not blame me presently, sir. As it is you will enjoy the fare here. Had you come from anything short of desperation, I fear you would have turned up your honoured noses at its roughness."
The brigantine's head was canted with the sprit-sail till she gathered way again, and she was so manoeuvred that Master Stephen Laughan, who was standing on the forward castle, caught a rope which was hove to him, and made it fast to one of the knightheads. Singly the buccaneers made their way down this from the high poop which towered above, each carrying a bag filled with the more valuable of the Spaniard's plunder to pay his passage, and each, as he dropped foot on the deck, was made to swear a most comprehensive obedience87. A Bible, a crucifix and a naked blade were set ready, and the oath was taken on all three, so that whether the man was of the Reformed Religion, or Papist, or confessed no creed88 at all, one or other of the oaths was bound to pledge him, and so there would be no wriggling89 out through this very common bye-way.
"By the Lord!" said Captain Wick, who was the last to come on board. "By the Lord, if formalities can make sound business, you should be in a fair way towards storing a fortune. By your leave I'll cast off this rope from the knighthead here and we'll get your cock-boat under way. My old ship is pretty well a-fire just now, and it's on the cards my drunken rascals90 were not very thorough when they set to drown the powder. The kegs were not all easy to get at in the magazine."
"After your handsome behaviour," said Prince Rupert with a bow, "the least I can do is to put my poor ship entirely at your present disposal. You may set your crew to work her (for I will own ingenuously91 that mine are somewhat unskilled), and you may navigate92 her where you choose. But if I might venture to suggest, I should say that the sooner you could bring up with some land, or with some desirable ship of the Spaniards, the pleasanter it would be for all of us."
Captain Wick stared. "You have a rum way of putting things," he said. "But let's go to your cabin, and talk it out over a cup of wine. I've a throat that's full of sand."
"Why," said Rupert smiling, "I'm afraid the cabin floor will be a-slop with water, as when we pressed her with sail so as to come down to you the quicker, the leaks rather gained on us."
"By the Lord!" cried Wick, fairly startled, "she feels sodden93 enough under the feet now you call attention to it. Why, your lower deck ports are well-nigh awash."
"Oh, I gave the brigantine no certificate for seaworthiness, when I asked you to honour us with your presence."
"Well, you're a cool one, anyway," said Wick, and gave sharp orders to his men to take a spell at the baling.—"But sink or swim, that doesn't alter my thirst, and if we can't wash our necks politely seated in the cabin, why, bid one of your blacks bring aft the wine on to the poop, and we'll drink to our better acquaintance there."
"I fear, sir," said Prince Rupert, still with his best manner, "that you will think me most cursedly remiss94, but our provisioning has been plaguely ill done, and there's not a drop of wine on board."
Captain Wick stared still more, and then, as a thought struck him, he went to the scuttle-butt95 and took a sample from the dipper. "And your water stinks96!" he spluttered. "Faugh! do you keep ducks in your casks? Man, tell me squarely, what entertainment is it that you have asked us to?"
"Lean enough, I fear, but I have no wish that it should endure longer than is absolutely needful. As a buccaneer, sir, you are my senior, and I bow to your experience, but as a mere soldier, I should say that the strategy indicated is to go to the nearest place where provisions are stored whether it is afloat or ashore, and procure97 them in the handiest way which occurs to us."
Captain Wick slapped his thigh98. "Well," he said, "this is the maddest turn-out! You've neither meat, wood, nor water; you've a little old ship that leaks like a fishing net; you've no force——"
"Ah, pardon me there, sir. You see before you two very good swords, who would be quite pleased to parade themselves against any other two you can put against them."
"Give it if you like, you've an army of two, yourself and this slim youngster here. You must have left a very ugly place behind you to have sailed out so blithely99 into this fix."
"In honest truth we did. But being here, sir, and having you and your excellent friends as companions, I repeat that the shrewdest thing at present seems to me that we should sail with as much canvas as we can carry towards the nearest meal. Come, Captain Wick, I'm still but raw in these seas, and you are likely to know far more where the good things are stowed. What do you say? Are we to get ashore and hunt bullocks? Or is there some convenient town to sack, or some castle to ransom70? Or can you guarantee that we shall find a Spaniard on the sea, and get our next dinner from him before we are absolutely starving?"
Captain Wick leaned up against the bulwarks100 and laughed. "This is like the old hard, wicked times once more, when buccaneers sailed cheerfully against an armada in a canoe—and sometimes took it. It gives me a thrill to be desperate again. I oughtn't to be merry, I know, but spit me if I can help it. I've lost my ship, I've been robbed of my lawful101 plundery, I'm out of the frying-pan into the fishing-net, but by the Lord, there's something too humorous about the whole adventure to let one work up a proper pitch of anger."—His face sobered with a sudden pucker102 of recollection.—"Rupert," he repeated, "Captain Rupert. Isn't it Prince Rupert I should have said?"
"So I am more usually known."
Captain Wick changed his manner. He lugged103 off his feathered hat and made a great bow. "My lord," he said, "you must excuse these manners I've been showing you. At first I thought you were a rogue104, and then I thought you were a madman, and then I judged you were a fool, but I never guessed you were a born prince and there's the truth of it. I was only a common seaman105 before the mast before I drifted out to these seas of the New World, and earned distinction, and so at home I was not in a position to meet Princes, and here there are none to come across. But believe me, my lord, it gives me great pleasure now to make your acquaintance, and devil take the expense. Indeed I don't grudge106 the expense: Princes out here will want to make their bit like other men."
The secretary, who stood near, looked for an explosion of his Highness' anger, for there were times when Prince Rupert could defend his dignity with great niceness and punctilio. For it was in Master Laughan's mind that this Wick was merely mocking her patron, since of all these rude buccaneers they had come across so far in the New World, they had not met one who showed a particle of reverence107 for a great name and exalted108 birth for their own sakes. But Prince Rupert, with his usual fine discernment, saw otherwise; indeed he understood in a flash that the man was dazzled at finding himself the guest of one who carried so illustrious a name: and he showed him some very pretty and graceful109 condescensions.
The secretary, being by this time so thoroughly111 wearied out that her eyes would keep open no longer, heard dully the rumble112 of their talk for awhile, and then dropped off to sleep where she was on the bare deck, but not before a new course had been set, and sharp orders given for the re-trimming of tacks113 and sheets. The buccaneers, it appears, would have waked her to take a spell at the baling, being rude brutal114 fellows with but little sympathy for gentility and a slim figure; but the Prince so pleasantly asked them to desist, at the same time speaking so handsomely of the secretary's youth and previous labours, that of their uncouth115 condescension110 Stephen was permitted to further enjoy plank116 bed undisturbed.
I am free to confess that the meeting with Captain Wick and his men, let alone from the sums earned as their passage money, was indeed fortunate from another respect. That Prince Rupert had high military genius, no one who reads these memoirs, and the other histories specially32 written upon his person, will for a moment deny. But the fact cannot be got over that if the brigantine had stuck to her original course, his Highness and the others on her would have starved, if indeed they had not drowned first. For the nearest land (if indeed they did not miss it) was distant a week's sail that way, and the seas in between practically desert. But this Captain Wick, if rude, had at least local knowledge and no particular appetite for starvation, and so by his hint the brigantine was headed for Curassou, which island it appeared was conveniently close at hand.
Let no reader think that in owning this, Master Stephen Laughan wavers for one instant in loyalty117 to Prince Rupert, and profound admiration118 for his wonderful powers. But the fact is the island was out of sight below an horizon, and guessing at an island's position, when indeed you have never before heard of its existence, is but dangerous seamanship.
As Wick himself owned the place had small enough fame. It had neither mines nor pearl-fisheries; the Spaniards did naught119 but gather salt there; and as this commodity would not attract buccaneers, who liked more profitable valuables for their purses, there were no fortifications to protect the works or the labourers.
"But, your worship," said Captain Wick, "at present we need comestibles more than cash, and I take it that these fellows on Curassou, humble though they may be, must have some sort of food on hand to stow in their bellies120. And besides, salt-making should be one of the thirstiest trades imaginable, and there you see that drink, and much drink, is clearly indicated." And in fine this prophecy came very near to the truth. In the harbour of the island they found two vessels121 of the salt gatherers and a well-stored village ashore all practically undefended, and these they took without opposition122.
At this point though the very nasty customs of the buccaneers nearly caused a breach—and indeed would have brought about complete severance123 of the parties if the secretary had had the choice. For the rude fellows, after their usual habit, when the materials for debauch124 were ready to their hands, had not the smallest mood to go abroad for further earning, and in this Captain Wick (that was none too sober himself) to all practical purposes gave them his countenance125.
"Master Prince," he hiccoughed solemnly. "I am your most obedient servant to command, but you mustn't ask me to make water run up hill, or to cause handy liquor to cease from running down a thirsty buccaneer's gullet. They are common fellows, common as dirt every one of them, and they haven't the gentility and niceness that is natural to you and me. And moreover, as a buccaneer's life is often a short one, he strives to make it as merry as may be. Besides as you are one of the brotherhood yourself, you ought to fall in with the custom. I'm sure Simpson, your matelot, would not be pleased to see you deny yourself. Come, my lord, what do you say, if you and me, that are their superiors, condescend126 a little and go and take a turn down yonder ourselves?"
The Prince very civilly declined, but still this Wick must needs persuade him further.
"Of course it's not what me and your lordship are accustomed to, but there's entertainment in it. A buccaneer when he's ashore is a rarely humorous fellow. The Spaniards were asked to provide a fiddle127, or some pipes, or at least a drum for harmony; but it seems they are leanly enough furnished with both talent and instruments; and so the beggars have been stood in a row, and bidden to whistle jigs128 as dance music. The boatswain's been appointed bandmaster, with a rope's end for baton130, and I can tell you he's making a dandy orchestra."—Captain Wick fidgetted with his feet—"Oh Lord," he said, "watch 'em dancing. I just must have a turn myself. Here, Master Laughan, you're slim, and should make a most ladylike partner. Come along."
And with that he clapped an arm round the poor secretary's waist (that was like to have died with mortification131) and set off into absurd capers132, keeping time to the whistling, till the pair of them were brought to a stop through sheer breathlessness.
Prince Rupert (it is painful to relate) was in one of his whimsical humours, and, far from interfering133, only laughed and shook with merriment. "Keep it up, Stephen, lad," cried he. "You fling a fine leg. By my faith, you dance the best maid's steps of all of them. Ho! you other blushing, bearded, lady buccaneers, mince134 your steps like Master Laughan."—And when the secretary came back flushed and angry to his side, and would have reproached him with a look, "Pooh! lad," said he, "you're none the worse. There's a bit too much of the pedant135 about you at times"—At which the poor creature tried to smile, though in truth she was but an ace17 off tears.
Of the two vessels of the Spaniards which they met in the harbour, one was fired, as they had no service for her, and the other careened, breamed, refitted and loaded with the brigantine's treasure and puny136 armament. The brigantine herself, being left unbaled for a dozen hours, quickly sank out of further mischief's ways. The orgie of the buccaneers, when one came to measure it up afterwards in the cool blood of the historian, was in reality short, for these disgusting creatures consider lavishness137 the highest gentility, and waste double what they use. But once the liquor casks were drained, they were ready enough to start out for the next venture.
The sun poured down upon their working with intolerable heat; the beach reeked138 with the lees of their spilt rum; and the fellows themselves, though they stuck manfully enough to their labours, carried swinging heads and crabbed139 tempers. The Spanish prisoners who were set to the more menial tasks came in for rough usage when their diligence slackened.
But at last all was ready once more for sea, and after the custom of the Brotherhood of the Coast, a meeting was held at which each man was the equal of his neighbour. They were done with one voyage, and this, ipso facto, disrated the lot of them, and forthwith they set themselves to elect officers for the next, and to decide on a cruise.
Now all who read these memoirs will at once think that with so brilliant a commander standing idle at their side, these rude fellows would at once have made humble petition to Prince Rupert that he would condescend to lead them. But I can nohow describe their uncouth rudeness more blackly than by relating that they did nothing of the kind. In fact but one name was mentioned, and that was Wick's; and they elected him with shouts, and saluted140 him with a ragged141 volley from their buccaneering-pieces. For boatswain, too, they elected the fellow who had served in that rating before. But their quartermaster had, it appeared, been killed; and as there were two rival claimants for the office with equal followings, each ready to fight for their man, Wick saved civil war by suggesting that the Prince be appointed. Here was a way out of their impasse142, and they took it as such, though without any show of enthusiasm, and Rupert was gracious enough to accept their nomination143. The readiness with which he could adapt himself to his companions for the moment, was a singularly lovable feature in this truly great man's character.
In general meeting also the plan of campaign was openly discussed and voted upon, all, by the rules of the Brotherhood of the Coast, having an equal say in this matter before the cruise commenced. Indeed Wick himself drew attention to this freedom of discussion, and pointed129 out that if anyone of the company could put skill or information into the general fund, he was bound by the laws to give it. "We Brethren of the Coast," said he, "have our phases. Ashore we have our frolics. But afloat we are all for earning. That comes first always; and though causing annoyance144 to the Spaniard can generally be done at one and the same time, that is not to be looked upon as a serious occupation, but only one to give relish145 to the other. Now for myself I feel bound to make the suggestion that we can begin our earning here at present in Curassou by charging a high rate of freight for any specie we are asked to carry."
For a moment the buccaneers did not catch his meaning. But someone shouted, "There's a riposte for our smart quartermaster," and then they all burst into roars of laughter, wagging good-humoured fingers at the Prince, and crying out that hard bargaining made good profits.
"Of course," said Rupert, "I'm with you there entirely, gentlemen. Indeed, am I not an interested party, seeing that this cruise is to be worked on shares, after the ordinary laws of the Brotherhood? But I must ingenuously confess that I do not see the merchants who will offer you even small freights to be carriers of their specie."
Upon which they laughed all the louder. "Why, you, sir," they cried, "you are our merchant. And we are the only carriers. The brigantine's sunk. But you will be dealt with quite fair. As quartermaster you will receive your due share from the common fund of what you pay in as merchant."
"Gentlemen," said Rupert pleasantly, "your schemes of finance do credit to your nimble brains. But you see in me at present a banker rather than a merchant, or perhaps I should say a bank depositor. Do you take me?"
They did not. But their faces sobered considerably146. No class of men could be in company with Prince Rupert for long without gaining a high respect for his genius.—"My lord quartermaster," said Wick, "you're talking a bit too fine for these common fellows."
"Well," said Rupert, "it's a hard thing to do, gentlemen, but I must avow147 myself to you as a coward. Transit148 of goods in these seas seems so perilous149 and so expensive that really I have been frightened out of risking it. There's some small fortune which it may come to your memory I earned a few days back—and for half of which I am responsible to Master Simpson, my matelot in Hispaniola. Gentlemen, believe me, my nervousness about that fortune is so great that I have decided150 to bank it with Mother Earth in this island of Curassou. And indeed, whilst you were having your frolic with the rum casks, I found a spade, and myself put the deposit in that good banker's safekeeping. We contrived151 matters, Mother Earth and I, that none should steal the key."
The buccaneers bore no resentment152 at being further tricked. Indeed they let off their guns in compliment to their quartermaster's acuteness, and bade him now that he had taken up a new service, attend to the joint153 interest as cleverly as he had done before for his own.
The Prince took them pleasantly. "If appetite gives wit," said he, "I should be a clever fellow just now. There isn't a buccaneer more greedy for plunder along all the Spanish Main. And for advice, there seems to me that only one course is open to us. Here is this ship that we have put in trim. You will note that four days ago she was a mere salt-gatherer."
"We all know that."
"Assuredly. I was but marshalling my arguments. Now salt is a very vulgar commodity, but it has its merchants and dealers154, and this ship will have her proper port. I do not know what's the port, or what's its armament, but according to me, brethren, it's clearly indicated that this ship's port is the point for our attack. We sail there, arriving openly and in broad daylight. There's nothing hid. We'll set her old crew (who are luckily none the worse for their whistling) to work her into anchorage in their usual clumsy fashion, and for ourselves, we'll sit genteelly down in the hold as passengers and while the time (if it please you) with the dice155. Then, when the moment comes, we can walk in and take possession before they have made any preparations for our reception. Come now, brethren, how does my scheme taste to your judgments156?"
"We should manage a surprise that way, my lord quartermaster," said Wick. "The question is, whether the place is worth it."
"Ah, that point," said the Prince, "must be left to Captain Wick, who is geographer157 to this crew."
"The truth is," said Wick, rubbing his chin, "the salt merchant belongs to Cumarebo, and it's a place I never heard that buccaneers visited."
"There must be a beginning to every kind of experience," said Stephen Laughan modestly.
"Quite so, my lad, but let me tell you your cleverness is more pert than longheaded. News always seems to get about if a town on the Main contains treasure, and Cumarebo makes its boast principally of a very vast cathedral and several barracks full of greasy158 priests."
"Speaking as a Protestant," said Rupert, "I don't find that Popish idols159 and vessels do harm to my pocket when they're melted up into currency. My master, the King, at The Hague, favours Rome I know, but I do not think he would be so undevout as to refuse a loan because it happened to come from the coffers of his own church."
"And my master," said Wick with a grin, "and that's myself, refuses deuced little that isn't too hot or too heavy to carry away. That's a good word of yours, my lord quartermaster, about the cathedral. Where there's priests there's sure to be plenty: I should have deduced that for myself."
Three or four of the buccaneers were going to make objection, but he held up his hand for silence, mentioning them civilly by name. "I know that some of you, brethren, are good Catholics, but you are in the minority, and you'll be outvoted if you force a poll. Now, don't have any megrims, and you shall easy save your consciences. You'll go with us, and you'll do your work like the rest, and afterwards, when it comes to the division, you'll take your whack160 of plunder like the rest. Later, you can find a reasonable priest, and buy a full dispensation for a tenth of what you have pocketed."
At which the objectors seemed very comfortably satisfied, and as all the others gave their full adherence161 to the scheme, they drank up what was left of the rum, fired a salvo from their buccaneering pieces to show that the plan of campaign was settled, and then got out to the ship, and so to sea.
The buccaneers considered themselves very fine gentlemen during the three days that the voyage lasted, contenting themselves merely with giving orders, and forcing the Spanish prisoners to do all labour connected with the working of the vessel. Moreover it was their conceit162 that music should lighten the tedium163 of the journey, and so the Spaniards were set again to whistle. They were men of lugubrious164 countenance all of them, these prisoners (as who wouldn't be in the hands of these fierce sea marauders) and the sight of their efforts at music gave continual merriment to the buccaneers. Very galling165, too, the practice must have been to their Spanish pride. But they had no mercy to expect from their task-masters. Indeed they were lucky to be let off so lightly. The higher humanity has no place amongst the fierce passions which sway men in these seas of the New World. With the Spaniards, their natural cruelty and the horrid Inquisition (blasphemously named holy) practise the most dreadful tortures upon all English and French that fall alive into their hands, and so when buccaneers of these nationalities lay clutch on Spaniards, their natural rudeness at times permits them to make some very gross retaliation167.
There was no starvation this voyage, but as there was no rum for orgies, the buccaneers swore that it was intolerably slow, and crowded canvas on the vessel till they were like to have whipped the masts out of her. But the reckless fellows had no appetite for caution.
When they rose the shore line of the Main, however, and presently would come in sight of the town which they hoped would yield them fortune, Captain Wick for the first time asserted his command. With jests and curses and blows he drove all down below to take up residence upon the salt in the hold out of sight, and the Spaniards who were on deck he compelled with very horrid threats into complete obedience.
"How would you take your vessel into harbour?" asked he of the poor wretch168 who had once been captain.
"With half the sail she spreads at present," said the fellow.
"Then trim her according to your nerves and your habit," cried Wick. "And see to it there's nothing suspicious in our entering the harbour. If an alarm spreads, my man, before it's intended, I'll set my bull-skinners below to flay169 the hide off you living, and then I'll take you on to the beach, and roll you in sand. Grit170 your teeth on that, my man, and see to it your service is as I've ordered."
Only Wick and the Prince remained on deck with a disguise of Spaniard's clothes and headgear to cover them. The secretary was thrust below with the rest, and was forced with much mortification to listen to the lewd171 talk of the buccaneers, and moreover to stand as a butt to their ribald jests. Oh, let any maid who thinks of following to the wars a man she ardently172 loves, weigh well the odious173 talk and treatment which she will have to pass off smilingly.
Time and again, as they passed the bar, and bore up towards the anchorage, did Wick and the Prince cry down the hatchways that those below should cease their noise, but some funny fellow would always shout back a quip or start a new song, and away the whole lot would go again, ranting174 and roaring in chorus. And at last it seems Wick lost patience, for he drew on the hatch-covers as an extinguisher, and left himself and the Prince alone on deck cut off with the eighteen surviving Spaniards. Still there was little fear that these would prove unruly. They had tasted too well of buccaneers' discipline already.
In the pestilent heat of that hold, above the salt, the poor secretary gasped175 and stifled176, praying that any risks of battle might be given her in exchange for this confinement177, and indeed when the time did come for skirmish, the poor creature was strung to such a pitch of distraction178 that she performed some deeds of bravery which even these rude buccaneers (that in truth are brave enough themselves, and not over given to praise) clapped at in admiration.
The surprise of the town, as well it might have been, was complete enough. The Spanish captain drove on past the anchorage and laid the vessel up alongside the steep mud bank of the river. A gate of the town lay close at hand just beyond the muddy foreshore, with traffic pouring in and out, and here was a most desirable place for any buccaneers to make their in-rush.
It appeared at first that the attack might be leisurely179 and well ordered, but one of the Spaniards on board, spurred on either by recklessness, or patriotism180, or hate, or all three combined, cried out to friends ashore that the Philistines181 were upon them, and although he was promptly182 cut down by Wick for his pains, the very act put a guarantee of faith on his testimony183. A shout was raised by those that did their business on the beach that the buccaneers were come, and wild panic ensued. All rushed for the gate, cumbered with whatever goods came first to hand. Too frightened to discriminate184 over the salvage185 they might be, but the greed instinct was too strong in them not to pick up some sort of burden, even though it was merely a broken crock or an empty cask. And at the heels of the mob raced Prince Rupert and Captain Wick, whilst the ship vomited186 yelling buccaneers through her hatch.
Those inside laboured to shut the gate, those who had not yet passed through struggled fiercely for entrance. In the rear of the fugitives187 was a great waggon188 laden189 with bales, and when this was just in the act of passing the doorway190, Wick and the Prince came up. They were alone, for Stephen Laughan who was the first of their following to get clear of the ship, was still a hundred paces behind at the further side of the beach. And with the strong guard that was inside, the gate would have inevitably191 been slammed to, once the wain was drawn192 clear through into the street beyond.
"Hamstring the horses," panted Wick, who was near burst with running.
"No time, my Captain," said Rupert, and drew a pistol and steadied it over the crook193 of an elbow. Down went the off-horse to his shot, and its struggles threw the other, and there was the gate as neatly194 blocked as one could wish.
"Surrender," roared Wick. "Give up everything you've got, or we'll slit195 every throat in the town." But there was no officer in authority at the gate to give a command, and the warders and the townsfolk ran away howling through the narrow streets, each thinking first of his own greasy hide.
The pair of them stood in that gateway196 alone till the rest of the buccaneers came up, and by this time the bells were being rung backwards197, drums and trumpets198 exuding199 their noise here and there, and all the elements in force which go to make a fine confusion. But buccaneers are not men very easy frightened, and the uproar200 only pointed out to them the panic of the enemy.
"Now, brethren," cried Wick, "after me at a smart run, and we'll pay a polite call on the Governor's palace. And mind, no straggling. No stopping for bits of plunder on the way. Do as I order, and I'll find you the wherewithal to get drunk for a month on end. And if any dog amongst you disobeys me," he roared, "I'll cut his liver out. Come along, my lord quartermaster," and with that they led the way at a round pace.
But presently it was clear that the troops in the place were being roused and accoutred, and though we cut our way through the first few bodies that opposed us with ease and derision, presently others began to throw up barricades201 and to man the houses on either side, and the musketry of these galled202 us shrewdly. There were not so many of us that we could afford to lose men liberally, and Prince Rupert, had he held the command, would, the secretary feels certain, have solved the difficulty by sheer fine generalship. But Wick was Captain, and Wick led the way with a bold confidence. He had no trace of an idea in which quarter the Governor's palace lay, but he thrust out his sword before him and followed it with a brazen203 courage.
Still at last even Wick could not but see that his small tail of men was being eaten away piece-meal at this disastrous204 game, and when the Prince made a suggestion, he was glad enough to follow it.
There was little enough of honour to be found in this rude street fighting and (it seemed) less of plunder. "I've a curiosity to see their pretty church plate," said Rupert, "before the priests can take it away into hiding. What say you, Captain, if we stroll that way now? The sights in this quarter are too commonplace to be interesting."
"It's all one to me, your grace," said Wicks, with his best bow, "and at any rate we shan't miss the way to that. What fools these churchmen are to build towers that can be seen so clear above all the rest of the houses."
Gallantly205 they charged in this new direction, and like furies the buccaneers fought on in their wake. There was no quarter either asked or expected, and if a man was wounded he must struggle on as best he could, or be content to be left by his friends and get despatch206 from the ravaged207 householders who followed at the heels of the fight.
It was at this point, where indeed they were most heavily pressed, and like to have been swamped by sheer weight of enemy, that Master Laughan out of sheer ill-temper at the slights these rude fellows had put upon her during their previous intercourse208, endeavoured to outdo them all in desperation and valour, and indeed won several frank compliments from them which soothed209 her wounded feelings very pleasantly. For indeed a maid, though she be timid by nature, and need much heart-bracing before she be nerved for a fight, can do with pretty things being said about her sword play as well as other people. And so the fight continued with amazing fury till at last what were left of the buccaneers hewed210 their way into the great church, and so won breathing space not before it was needed.
The Prince and his secretary and a dozen men stood guard upon the door, and Wick and the rest set to work to glean211 their harvest. At first they found little enough, and in the exasperation212 of the moment a good many of the place's embellishments were badly spoiled. But presently they came upon a priest in hiding, and although the poor man at first disclaimed213 all knowledge of the treasure, he soon sang a different tale when the buccaneers set about sharpening his memory in their rough-and-ready fashion, though indeed he did scream very dreadfully before they induced him to tell.
But in the meanwhile Prince Rupert and his party had been doing their share towards the common weal. A great crowd of troops and citizens had been gathered in the square outside the church, and in two sudden sorties they contrived to capture some two-score of these and drag them back as prisoners inside the defences. There was a fine discrimination of persons in the manoeuvre86. Each buccaneer seized upon the Spaniard whose clothes struck him as the most rich, in the hopes that he was dressed only as befitted his rank, and in this rude theory there was little error. The silly Spaniards are very strict upon their sumptuary laws.
It was in truth these involuntary hostages which gained the invaders214 a leave to depart. The treasury215 of the church had been ransacked216 to the bare boards, and the plunder made up into parcels convenient for carriage. But every minute the force outside had been growing in numbers and adding to their materials for offence. It seemed a thing impossible that the buccaneers should ever cut their way back to the river's bank and the ship.
But Wick came out and faced the crowd with a brazen assurance.
"Look here," he said, "you people. We've got what we came for and we're ready to go. If you want more fighting, such as you've had a sample of already, by the Lord, we'll give you a belly217 full. You see this fine gentleman who's assisting me? That's Prince Rupert, who's come all the way from England to make a bit out here. And let me tell you you don't get a Prince amongst you every day. I'm Captain Wick, whose name you'll have heard often enough before and will again. Now if you're for further trouble, just say the word, and I'll fire this church in twenty places, and you can set about extinguishing it. We've got ten of your biggest men with us as hostages, and if you give us a quiet passage through the town, and let us get on our ship again unmolested, I'll make you a present of them sans ransom. But if you give me trouble, all that these good caballeros will want further at your hands will be ten little funerals. There, good people, there's a civil offer for you, and I want a reply straight and quick.—Inside the church there! Blow up your matches and stand by to fire the woodwork."
That the Spaniards have pride there is no denying, and had those in authority been able to speak their own mind, with such a large body of troops at their disposal they would never have accepted the disgrace of giving safe conduct to the insolent219 handful of buccaneers. Church and hostages would doubtless have been sacrificed, but at least the pride and honour of those that survived would have been retained to them. But the hostages had wives and daughters who clamoured shrilly220 that they should not be sacrificed, and the other women of the place added their voices to the plea, through the dread166 of horrors which would come very short of an absolute sack, and in the end the men (perhaps in truth glad of the excuse) with a strong show of reluctance221, gave way.
Upon which out marched the buccaneers, careless of how near they had been to general massacre222, and carrying themselves with their usual sturdy arrogance223. Indeed, presently it occurred to one bright spirit that the success of the foray ought by rights to be celebrated224 by music, and so the pompous225 dons that were the hostages were compelled at the knife-point to whistle a cheery measure as they marched, and a very droll226 sight their faces presented to the onlooker227.
Now it is hard for the historian of one who, like Rupert, is born by nature to be a leader to be compelled to own that another could supplant228 him in a leadership, and still bring his campaign to a prosperous issue. Still harder is it to write of the success of this man Wick, whose gentility was aped, and sat upon him untidily; who was indeed a vulgar fellow; and who on occasion got very nastily drunk and made ridiculous an inoffensive secretary like Stephen Laughan. But the plain truth must be set down that the conduct of this expedition by Wick was by some extraordinary freak of fortune entirely successful; and though a tidy number of the buccaneers were killed, it is not the custom of the survivors229 to waste superfluous230 regrets on their late companions. For whatever can be said against the murderous forays of these men, it can never be held that they value their own lives any more highly than they esteem231 the lives of their enemies.
But the secretary can at least look back with pleasure at a little scene which was brought about by this adventure. The buccaneers marched down the streets of the town always on the keen alert, and presenting a very ugly front and rear. They had a contemptuous distrust for the good faith of the Spaniards. But they were not molested218. And in due time they passed out through the Watergate, got on board their ship, and then honourably fulfilling their engagement, gave the hostages enlargement, though with some impertinence, requesting that they would whistle them out of ear-shot. Then they poled off from the shore, hoisted232 their topsails, set the courses and mizzen, and stood out over the bar to sea, and those that were wounded—and these were most—had for the first time leisure to tend their hurts.
But when the bar was passed, and the swells233 of the open sea once more swung the ship over their breasts, Captain Wick gave a compass course to the helmsman, and took off his hat with a great bow to Prince Rupert, and laughed.
"That direction you've set should take us back to Curassou," said the Prince.
"That's what my navigation intends, your Excellency."
"And to the harbour from which we came?"
"It comes to my mind there's more profit to be got there than elsewhere."
"In the matter of those freights that we spoke67 about?"
"Why, there you've hit it to a nicety," said Wick, rubbing his hands. "All's fair in love and buccaneering. I still think you made us pay too dear for those passages."
"So?" said the Prince. "Well, there, I suppose, Captain, we shall continue to agreeably differ. For a wager234 it was one of the Spanish prisoners who saw me bury the stuff."
"You've guessed it," said Wick laughing. "I gave the man freedom for his news."
"Very generous of you," said Rupert laughing also. "And he told you true; I did bury it there. Under three palm trees just at the back of your bivouac, was it not?"
"That's the place," said Wick, "and if your lordship had been as old a buccaneer as me, you'd have gone a bit further off. You trusted too much to our drunkenness."
"Why, no," said Rupert drily, "it seems to me I trusted just enough. In candid235 truth I reckoned on being seen. In fact, I invited supervision236."
"Eh?" said Wick, beginning to look glum237.
"Why, you see, Captain, I argued like this: I'd charged for those passages what some might think a high price. I guessed that after you'd had your frolic ashore, some of you would be for getting back a discount: and in the meanwhile, as I didn't know how deep your drunkenness went, for aught I knew some of you might be watching me. So I buried the treasure where I might be overlooked, so as to satisfy the curious, and afterwards, at a quieter time, dug it up again, and reburied it elsewhere. Of course, if you like to take your spades and turn the whole of Curassou into arable238 land, you may stumble upon my banking-place, though I doubt it; but I think your time could be spent to greater profit elsewhere."
Now there is no doubt that Wick was greatly annoyed at this turn which affairs had taken, but he had the wit to conceal239 his chagrin240. To go back to the island and dig at random241 would be mere foolishness, and his crew would be quick enough to tell him of it. For the authority of these buccaneer commanders is in truth shallow enough, and for anything like a reverse, or a piece of policy which does not prove immediately profitable, a captain is deposed242 with promptness, and another set up in his place. The which would not have suited Wick, who was very big with his position.
So after a meal and a sleep, when the crew were rested, a council was called of all hands to decide upon future movements, and the incident of the passage money was dropped then, and, so far as Master Laughan knows, for always.
But when Prince Rupert was restored to his fleet, he sailed round to that quarter and dug it from the place where it was hidden, namely, in the rough sands of the seashore, where the tide ebbed243 and flowed twice in the course of each natural day. And so in due time the treasure came to the hands of our gracious king at The Hague, and played its slender part in bringing about the blessed Restoration.
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1
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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2
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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3
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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4
stank
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| n. (英)坝，堰，池塘 动词stink的过去式 | |
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5
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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bailing
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| （凿井时用吊桶）排水 | |
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7
glibly
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| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
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8
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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9
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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10
ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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11
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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13
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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14
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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15
mangrove
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| n.(植物)红树，红树林 | |
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16
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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18
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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19
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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22
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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23
scorch
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| v.烧焦，烤焦；高速疾驶；n.烧焦处，焦痕 | |
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24
scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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27
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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29
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
inaccurate
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| adj.错误的，不正确的，不准确的 | |
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31
viler
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| adj.卑鄙的( vile的比较级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
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32
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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33
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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35
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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memoirs
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| n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
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snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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38
enlist
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| vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍 | |
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39
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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40
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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41
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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42
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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44
unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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45
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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46
reclaim
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| v.要求归还，收回；开垦 | |
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47
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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49
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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50
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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51
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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52
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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53
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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54
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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55
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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56
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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57
psalm
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| n.赞美诗，圣诗 | |
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58
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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59
taverns
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| n.小旅馆，客栈，酒馆( tavern的名词复数 ) | |
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60
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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61
hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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62
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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63
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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64
doff
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| v.脱，丢弃，废除 | |
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65
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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66
bawling
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的现在分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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67
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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68
pawned
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| v.典当，抵押( pawn的过去式和过去分词 )；以（某事物）担保 | |
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69
ransoming
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| 付赎金救人，赎金( ransom的现在分词 ) | |
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70
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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71
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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72
gutted
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| adj.容易消化的v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的过去式和过去分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
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73
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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74
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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75
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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76
bevy
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| n.一群 | |
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77
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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78
gluttonous
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| adj.贪吃的，贪婪的 | |
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79
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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80
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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81
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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82
freckled
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|
| adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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84
defrauding
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的现在分词 ) | |
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85
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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86
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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87
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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88
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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89
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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90
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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91
ingenuously
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| adv.率直地，正直地 | |
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92
navigate
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| v.航行，飞行；导航，领航 | |
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93
sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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94
remiss
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| adj.不小心的，马虎 | |
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95
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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96
stinks
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| v.散发出恶臭( stink的第三人称单数 )；发臭味；名声臭；糟透 | |
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97
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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98
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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99
blithely
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| adv.欢乐地，快活地，无挂虑地 | |
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100
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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101
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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102
pucker
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| v.撅起，使起皱；n.（衣服上的）皱纹，褶子 | |
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103
lugged
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| vt.用力拖拉（lug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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104
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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105
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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106
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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107
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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108
exalted
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|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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109
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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110
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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111
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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112
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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113
tacks
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| 大头钉( tack的名词复数 )； 平头钉； 航向； 方法 | |
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114
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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115
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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116
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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117
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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118
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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119
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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120
bellies
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| n.肚子( belly的名词复数 )；腹部；（物体的）圆形或凸起部份；腹部…形的 | |
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121
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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122
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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123
severance
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| n.离职金；切断 | |
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124
debauch
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| v.使堕落，放纵 | |
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125
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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126
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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127
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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128
jigs
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| n.快步舞（曲）极快地( jig的名词复数 )；夹具v.（使）上下急动( jig的第三人称单数 ) | |
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129
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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130
baton
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| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
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131
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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132
capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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133
interfering
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| adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
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134
mince
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| n.切碎物；v.切碎，矫揉做作地说 | |
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135
pedant
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| n.迂儒；卖弄学问的人 | |
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136
puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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137
lavishness
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| n.浪费，过度 | |
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138
reeked
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的过去式和过去分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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139
crabbed
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| adj.脾气坏的；易怒的；（指字迹）难辨认的；（字迹等）难辨认的v.捕蟹( crab的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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141
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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142
impasse
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| n.僵局；死路 | |
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143
nomination
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| n.提名，任命，提名权 | |
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144
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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145
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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146
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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147
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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148
transit
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| n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过 | |
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149
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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150
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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151
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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152
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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153
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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154
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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155
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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156
judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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157
geographer
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| n.地理学者 | |
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158
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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159
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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160
whack
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| v.敲击，重打，瓜分；n.重击，重打，尝试，一份 | |
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161
adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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162
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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163
tedium
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| n.单调；烦闷 | |
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164
lugubrious
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| adj.悲哀的，忧郁的 | |
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165
galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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166
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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167
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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168
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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169
flay
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| vt.剥皮；痛骂 | |
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170
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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171
lewd
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| adj.淫荡的 | |
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172
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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173
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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174
ranting
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| v.夸夸其谈( rant的现在分词 )；大叫大嚷地以…说教；气愤地)大叫大嚷；不停地大声抱怨 | |
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175
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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176
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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177
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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178
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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179
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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180
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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181
philistines
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| n.市侩，庸人( philistine的名词复数 )；庸夫俗子 | |
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182
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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183
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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184
discriminate
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| v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待 | |
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185
salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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186
vomited
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187
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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188
waggon
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| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
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189
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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190
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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191
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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192
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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193
crook
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| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
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194
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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195
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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196
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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197
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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198
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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199
exuding
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| v.缓慢流出，渗出，分泌出( exude的现在分词 )；流露出对（某物）的神态或感情 | |
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200
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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201
barricades
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| 路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 ) | |
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202
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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203
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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204
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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205
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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206
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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207
ravaged
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| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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208
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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209
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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210
hewed
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的过去式和过去分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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211
glean
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| v.收集(消息、资料、情报等) | |
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212
exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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213
disclaimed
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| v.否认( disclaim的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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214
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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215
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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216
ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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217
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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218
molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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219
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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220
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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221
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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222
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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223
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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224
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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225
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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226
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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227
onlooker
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| n.旁观者，观众 | |
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228
supplant
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| vt.排挤；取代 | |
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229
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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230
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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231
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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232
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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233
swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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234
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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235
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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236
supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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237
glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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238
arable
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| adj.可耕的，适合种植的 | |
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239
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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240
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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241
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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242
deposed
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| v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证 | |
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243
ebbed
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| （指潮水）退( ebb的过去式和过去分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
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