The voyage back from Coro in the newly captured carrack could not be direct for many reasons. In the first place there was plunder5 from his other ventures to be collected, and this, after the buccaneer fashion, Rupert had buried in spots known to himself alone, and in the second place, in the hurry of cutting out the carrack from La Vela harbour, no one had troubled to notice that she was not victualled. They had been keen enough to note the treasure and the rich merchandise which trimmed her so desirably low in the water, but it was not found that she lacked the necessary vulgar details of grain and dried meat, of wood and water, till she was well at sea, and these were not to be had for the mere6 asking. Consequently the crew were well-nigh starving before it was found possible to put into a river which supplied fish for an immediate9 meal, and offered savannahs on which the hunters shot deer meat to take them further.
THERE IS NO MISTAKING THE MANNER OF BUCCANEERS RETURNING WELL-LADEN10
THERE IS NO MISTAKING THE MANNER OF
BUCCANEERS RETURNING WELL-LADEN
But even this supply did not provision them for long, and they were forced to run across to Hispaniola, come into touch with the French and English hunters there, and buy from them bucaned cows' flesh in the usual way. There is a routine about these matters, and when it is departed from one soon finds that the routine has its reason for being.
It will be seen that here were all the makings of a voyage which would be prosperous, if somewhat slow; but it must be owned that all was not peace and easiness. The Spaniards on board were the root of the unpleasantness. They held that they had worked equally with the others in gathering11 the plunder. The French and English held that they were duly-admitted members of the Brotherhood12 of the Coast, and therefore of superior clay to any Spaniard; and, moreover, when it came to the distribution of the plunder, they attended armed to the teeth and certainly took the lion's share. They said at the time that the Spaniards might feel grateful that they were given so much as a flavour; and on that day, being overawed by weapons, these Spaniards accepted what was left for them with at least an outward show of civility. But it seems they still carried rage and discontent in their hearts, which indeed is the custom of their disgusting nation, and from then onwards were forever making a great plot or cabal13.
In number these Spaniards might well be vainglorious14, seeing that there were one hundred and forty of them, to some twenty-seven all told of the buccaneers, and in fierceness they were above the ordinary. They were criminals all of them, condemned15 to the galleys16 by their own countrymen, who found them intolerable at home, and had it not been that their liberation was useful at the time to Prince Rupert, one is free to confess that the galleys was their proper place, as they were unfitted for any other rank in society. However, there they were on the carrack, possessors of some considerable store of plunder, and very wishful to seize more and to have a say in their final destination.
Once indeed a deputation came aft to put forward their views.
What was to be the carrack's destination?
"Tortuga," said Rupert, civilly.
They appeared to hear the name with consternation17.
"But, Se?or," said their spokesman, "that is the metropolis19 of the buccaneers."
"To me," said Rupert, "Tortuga is my rendezvous20 with my own fleet."
"We bow to your esteemed21 convenience, Se?or. But what chance shall we have there? We shall be lambs in a wolf-fold. They will rob us certainly; if we escape out of the place with our lives, we shall be fortunate. Surely, Se?or, as we have borne much of the burden of the fighting, we are entitled to some say in future schemes."
"As duly elected Captain, all decision in these matters appears to rest with me. But I do not wish to make my command unpalatable, and if what is arranged, and what indeed suits the French and English of this crew very pleasantly, goes against your sentiments, I am willing to come to a composition with you. Once in Tortuga, I personally and Master Laughan here rejoin my fleet; Master Simpson and the buccaneers go ashore22, according to their convivial23 custom, for a merry time amongst the wine-shops and the ladies of Tortuga, and possibly for a turn at the dice24 box with Monsieur D'Ogeron up at the castle; and the carrack will remain for sale. I believe prices for ships rule easy in Tortuga, as there is somewhat of a glut25 of them on the market, and the titles to them are obscure. Here, then, is your chance: you are men of capital; hand back into the store the plunder that has been shared out to you, and the carrack is yours after she had carried us for our voyage."
At this proposition, the Spaniards appeared to get very angry, and indeed were for making some foolish demonstration26 if they had not been incontinently driven away forward. But the buccaneers, who have a more nice appreciation27 for wit, laughed heartily28, and swore that Rupert was a prince of good fellows. But at the same time they did not take the Spaniards too much on trust, and in fact wore their weapons and their wakefulness with great diligence.
Had there been liquor on board it is a sure thing that the buccaneers would have drunk themselves silly, and the Spaniards, who are too feeble-stomached for an orgie, would not have failed to use their soberness to bring about a massacre29. But, as has been said, the carrack was a dry ship; she was carried off with neither wine nor rum in her store; and to this alone may her safety be credited. Indeed so especially keen were these thirsty buccaneers to arrive at Tortuga and commence their debauch30, that they employed extra watchfulness31 to make sure no impediment came in their way, and by this means alone discovered the hateful plot which the Spaniards were hatching against them.
There was amongst the Spaniards it seems an apothecary32, who had earned a certain ill-omened fame. The city which he polluted by his residence contained husbands who wished to be rid of their wives, and wives who had tired of their husbands. The apothecary supplied the means; indeed it was the wretch's boast that he had plied8 this horrid33 trade of poisoner for ten whole years with immunity34, and then got found out only by jealousy35 of a business rival. Indeed so large was his circle of patrons, and so strong his power, that even at his trial he was used leniently36 and spared the torture, lest he might tell too much, and in the end was condemned only to the galleys, when he should most justly have been slowly burned.
So when a plot was formed against the buccaneers, here on the carrack was a task in his old trade ready to the apothecary's hand, and that was no less than to kill outright37 by poison all who were not Spaniards. It seems there was a parcel of herbs and roots and snake's teeth amongst the cargo38 suited for his purpose, and he got hold of these, and set about making his tinctures and decoctions. Even then he might have succeeded, if he had done his work quick and sudden after the plot was made; but it seems that there can be artists amongst poisoners as there are in other trades, and here was one that took a most dainty pride in his horrid craft. A crude, rasping poison would not suit him. He must needs purify and distil39 a dozen times over till he had made a death drug of the most exquisite40 fineness; and his hundred and forty compatriots who were all in the secret, sat round and watched and gloated over their coming triumph and vengeance41.
What made the deed one of such plain simplicity42 was the manner in which the two parties had separated themselves. From the very first day on board, the English and French buccaneers had taken the cabins that are set apart for officers and passengers under the half-deck and poop; and the Spaniards did not presume to harbour anywhere except in the forward castle, or the upper holds. There is a sea sumptuary law or etiquette43 about these dispositions44 that is very strict. Moreover, gradually as the feeling between the two bodies became more strained, there was less and less intercourse45 between them. Indeed, by Rupert's direction, the buccaneers posted constantly a couple of armed sentries46 on the break of the poop with a loaded culverin by each, trained so as to sweep the waist and the lower deck, and with lighted matches in tubs standing47 by their side. The sentries were changed with every watch, and the Spaniards knew quite well that they would fire on small occasion. And moreover, after nightfall, battle-lanterns were hung in the rigging, so that there should be no rushing the after deck under cover of darkness.
The matter that gave the apothecary his opening was a sea custom of the buccaneers. Ashore these men are the most dextrous of cooks, often killing48 a cow especially so that her udder may provide them with a delicate joint49, and serving it with pimento and other sauces to lend it piquant50 flavour. In a word, on dry land they are gourmands51 and glory in the fact. But at sea they are quite different; they can live there on victual of the roughest; and it is their conceit52 moreover to rate the office of cook as the lowest on shipboard. Either they make their prisoners do the work, or they carry a slave to dress their victual, or they are even content to swallow it raw sooner than grease their tarry fingers with either roasting-spit or boiler53. On this captured carrack, then, as may be supposed, they pressed a couple of Spaniards into the caboose (as the cookhouse is named at sea), and although these showed a stiff lip at first, and required some beating before they would serve, presently (after their devilish plot was concocted) they made the boils and the stews54 and the other sea dishes with docility56, and, it must be confessed also, with appetising skill.
To the Yorkshireman Simpson must be credited the first hint that all was not as it should be. He and the Prince and the secretary were sitting on the taffrail one night between two of the great poop lanterns, and Rupert found occasion to comment that the voyage was drawing towards its conclusion very peacefully.
"'Appen," said Simpson, "and again, Captain, 'appen not. Them Spaniards makes out to be a sight too contented57 for my liking58. They were as mad as hay about the way we shared up that treasure, an' they're far from liking t' idea of a happy week near owd Skin-the-Pike i' Tortuga. Now tha'llt not tell me they've forgotten; Spaniards is vengeful devils an' they niver forgets. And I tell tha' what, young feller, I'd be a deal more comfortable if they was up an' fighting with us."
"Pooh!" said Rupert lightly. "Spaniard-hating has grown to be a disease with you, Master Simpson. And, besides, we have taken our precautions. Look at the sentries. You can see the matches burning in their tubs from here."
"A Spaniard is as artful as a bagful of monkeys."
"And we fancy we are not without some strategy ourselves."
Simpson put a thumb on his chin. "Look here, now, young feller. I'd like t' 'ave tha' a bet on about it. I'll lay tha' an even pint59 potful o' silver pieces they try to have their knives into us before we've an anchor down in Tortuga Harbour."
"I'll take your wager60 with pleasure."
"Well," said Simpson, with a wink61, "it's my brass62," and there the talk ended.
But that night, when Master Laughan was officer of the watch and was patrolling the poop with due form and ceremony, the Yorkshireman came up and made an announcement of his plans in a cautious whisper. "I'm bahn to win yon bet, if cleverness will do it, and just to give Captain Rupert a suck in."—He winked63, and patted the secretary's arm confidentially64.—"I know these Spanish beggars more than a bit, an' it's my belief they wouldn't cower65 so quiet unless they were hatching mischief66. Now say note to Rupert, lad, an' if tha' hears them cutting my throat forrard, call all the hands aft here and clear the decks for bloody67 war. By gum, I'll win yon potful of pieces, choose 'ow."—With which he took himself off up the mizzen rigging, and was lost in the blackness of the night overhead.
It was clear that the man thought more of winning his paltry68 wager than of insuring the safety of his fellow-buccaneers, and the secretary smiled (but with tears in her eyes) as she thought of his crazy daring. But it seemed, when he came back afterwards to tell his tale, that Master Simpson had a shrewd notion of taking care of his own skin even when he so dangerously risked it. As has been said, the waist and the lower maindeck of the carrack was lit with battle lanthorns, but these only accentuated69 the darkness which wrapped the rest of her. The Yorkshireman, despite his size and weight, could climb with an ape's handiness. He made his way up to the mizzen topmast head, keeping always in the shadow of the spars and canvas; then like some uncouth70 crawling insect laid out along the stays, reaching first the main, and then the fore7 top mast head and finally slipping down the outer bolt-sprit stay, and crouched71 in the top of the mast there for a moment to recover breath. Below him, past the gammoning of the bolt-sprit, was the open-work of the ship's beak72, upheld by her figure-head, and in the high wall of the forward castle beyond, the lamplight gleamed out warmly through the two open gun-ports.
Quietly Master Simpson made his way down by the foot ropes, keeping most jealously to the shadows, and finally took up his post beneath one of these openings, settling himself comfortably so as to avoid unnecessary cramp74. He would certainly have been killed a hundred times over if he had been caught there, but he stayed coolly on, listening to the chatter75 inside, hour after hour, and still hearing nothing of especial moment. It was terribly risky76 work. But as he explained afterwards he learned nothing of moment and wasn't inclined to give up hope of winning the bet till daylight came in and clearly routed him. He said he came from a country where they meant winning when they laid a wager, whatever it might cost to bring success.
But at last he heard what suited him, and what indeed saved every life in the after part of the ship, and returning laboriously77 by the way he had come, high over the rigging, he dropped down to the poop deck at the exact spot he had left it.
Master Laughan met him there, heavy-eyed for want of sleep, and soaked with the dew of night, and somewhat crabbedly inquired his news. The fellow had given her a good racking of anxiety, and she did not wish to show it. But he laughed at her whimsically enough, and said his news would keep till breakfast time, and that for the present he was all yawns, and with that went below to his bed place. Which example the secretary in some annoyance79 followed forthwith.
Sentries challenged and bells clanged, watches were relieved and the routine of the night went on in its rigid80 way, and at last the timekeeper in charge of the glass cried seven o'clock and bade all hands rouse and bit. The toilettes of shipboard are hasty, as all when on the unstable81 sea sleep in their clothes to be ready for the sudden alarms which are so frequent. Indeed it has been neatly82 expressed, that seamen83 like dogs give one good shake, and are awake and dressed. And so when the timekeeper gave his cry and turned his glass, almost before the sand had begun to run the other way, all of the carrack's afterguard were turned out, and ready for their breakfasts.
There is no delicate napery at sea, and on this carrack, then, there was not so much as a salt vat84 to decorate the table. To each man was a wooden platter and a leathern cup, fitting into cavities cut in the board to keep them in place against the vessel85's rolling, and the benches which served as seats were built into the solid fabric86 of the deck. A savoury smell advertised the cook's coming, and the ship's company seated themselves on the benches before the table, and each drew his knife and laid it before him in readiness. Then the cook came into the great cabin bearing the mess kid in his arms, a lean, dark-faced man with a notable squint87. The rude men at the table sniffed88 appreciatively, and the cook, setting the mess-kid on the deck, took out his great ladle and began filling the platters one by one as they were handed to him, and then when all were loaded, the fellow that had been appointed chaplain, rose to his feet, shut his eyes, and prepared to say the grace.
But at this point Simpson slipped round to the door of the cabin and cried a loud "Halt!" Many faces were turned upon him frowningly. They brooked89 ill, these buccaneers, any interference with their religious exercises. But Simpson was not the man to be quieted by a scowl90.
"Captain," said he, "I'll have to ask tha' for yon half-pint o' silver pieces."
"It is yours, Master Simpson," said the Prince politely, "but I'd take it as courteous91 if you'd tell how you've earned it."
"Simple enough," said the Yorkshireman. "I just ask you to force the cook to sample his own wares92."
"Why, we have a new cook to-day," said Rupert, staring at the Spaniard who held the mess-kid.
"True enough," said Simpson, "and afore turning cook, he was galley-slave, and afore that he practised as apothecary. It sticks in my mind that to-day he's mixed t' two businesses together and given us some apothecary's drugs in his cook's stew55. If he hasn't, well, Captain, I may yet owe you the bet, but, if he has, I think you might pay up t' brass."
"Most certainly," said Rupert, "and I think the thing is easy proved, by watching the man eat a platter full of his own mess. Se?or el Cocinero," he said, dropping into the Spanish tongue, "by its savoury smell to-day your cooking has surpassed even its previous excellence93."
The cook gave a doubtful little bow.
"But there exists some doubt as to the wholesomeness95 of the condiments96 wherewith you have flavoured it. The nearest vacant place at the table appears to be my own. May I beg of you to honour me by sitting in it and to show by your own appreciation how excellent is the mess you have brought for us."
The cook gripped tight on to his ladle and glared about him like a trapped wild animal. "I am not hungry," he said, "and besides I am a Catholic and could not eat after the meat has been blessed by your chaplain. But the food is quite wholesome94."
"I might point out to you that our honoured chaplain has not yet said the grace, nor will he till we know more about what is set before us."
"I will not eat," said the cook, and shivered violently. "I tell you I have no appetite. I am not hungry."
"My good man," said Rupert, "I stand in the position of king over this vessel, and my courteous invitation may be construed97 as a royal command. If you have no appetite, we must find you one." He signed to those of the buccaneers who sat nearest at the table, and these, who began to realise how matters lay, were nothing loath98 to give the cook some rough handling. He was forced into the chair at the head of the board, and those who held him began sawing at his ears with their knives. For long enough he withstood the torture, and sat there sullenly99 with the blood dripping on to his shoulders, and the buccaneers down the table, with the untouched platters still smoking before them, rested on their elbows and watched him. Prince Rupert, a man who was usually averse100 to these rude proceedings101, looked on with a face that was hard and frowning, and except for the secretary, who felt herself pale as she watched, there was not a trace of pity shown by anyone.
Stoically this monster of a cook held out, proving by his very stubbornness how complete was his guilt102, but at length he began to recognise that the grim men who held him were not the sort that show undue103 leanings towards mercy. He had to choose between eating or being carved alive; and as a poisoner of long and loathly experience, the full horrors of his dish were well known to him. But the sharp, cold pain of the knives daunted104 him at last, and with a cry he stretched out his hand and began to scoop105 up the food in the platter before him, and to cram73 it into his mouth. He fed like a beast, the sooner to get it over, but those who watched him expressed neither disgust nor interest; remained, in fact, immovable; and his eyes roved over the board and glared at them horribly.
At last the platter was cleaned, and he sat back in his chair with a face lividly white and beaded with perspiration106. No one spoke18; all in the great cabin watched him with unwinking eyes. Presently he reached out his hand for a mug of water, and gulped107 it down. His teeth chattered108 against the lip of the drinking vessel; black rings grew round his eye-sockets.
He lay back again in the chair, gripping hard upon the arms, and closing his eyes tightly. He knew the symptoms which should arrive, and in imagination endured half their torments109 before they actually came to him. When one remembered how he would have dealt out similar anguish110 to all the French and English of the ship's company, one could not deny that he was rightly served. But being human, one perforce had to pity as one watched.
But at last the pains began to grip him in real grinding earnest. He strained himself to that side and to this. He writhed111 like a wounded worm. He screamed aloud for someone in pity to kill him. But the mercy that he had dealt out to others was given him in full measure then. He was taken out through a door on to the main deck and laid there on a hatch, and the platters with the poisoned food were laid in a ring round him, and there he was left for his friends to deal with as they chose. And the exact manner of his wicked end, the present historian does not know.
On the poop above, the matches smoked in their tubs and the sentries stood by the loaded culverins which commanded the main deck. In the great cabin below Prince Rupert was paying to Master Simpson the amount of his wager. Simpson spat112 on the last coin for luck before he pocketed it.
"I'll give tha' a revenge," he said. "I'll bet tha' on onything that comes, nobbut just mention it."
"You're too shrewd for me," said Rupert laughing. "But I'd like to bet you another small wager that our Spaniards give us no more trouble after to-day."
"Tha'rt bahn to be shut o' t' lot of them, eh? There's an island close aboard, an' tha'st a mind to set 'em all ashore to laak about as they please? That's what we Bretheren of the Coast call marooning113, an' it's just what they deserve. They were all i' t' poisoning, an' they all deserve what t' druggist got, an' worse. An' when we're shut o' them, we'll just tak' their share o' t' brass an squander114 it under owd Skin-the-Pike's nose in Tortuga along wi' t' rest."
"H'm," said Rupert, and appeared to consider. And then he sighed and said: "Well, Master Simpson, I suppose by the time money is carried across to The Hague that one piece will look so much like another that the King will not be able to distinguish between any of them. I am beginning to learn the lesson that it does not do to be too nice about small matters here in these seas of the New World."
"Not when there's Jack-Spaniards i' question," assented115 Simpson, and there the talk broke off, and the Prince began making his dispositions for the capture of the carrack by the buccaneers.
As it chanced the powder room was aft, and those in the forward portion of the ship could neither use great guns or small arms, and when other pieces were drawn116 up on the poop, and men stood beside them with smoking lintstocks all ready to fire, the Spaniards had no stomach for a rush, but incontinently surrendered. The prestige of the buccaneers was so great amongst these people, that it saved even the semblance117 of a skirmish. Prince Rupert cried his orders, and with their own hands they hove the carrack to, hoisted118 out the two boats which lay on the booms, and tumbled over one another in their anxiety to be in them and off to try their fortune on the island which lay close under their lee.
As was natural, they had done their best to leave the ship ablaze119 behind them as a souvenir, but the buccaneers anticipated this, and went forward when the last of the wretches120 had gone, and had small trouble in extinguishing the flames. After which they let fly a shotted salvo from all the great guns after their common fashion, and once more trimmed sail, and got along their course.
Again see the finger of fate. That very afternoon they came across a small pink out of Nombre de Dios, loaded with rum. They gave her freedom for being engaged in so desirable a trade, only exacting121 some dozen puncheons of the liquor as a ransom122, and when the sun went down upon the sea, there was the carrack in charge of Prince Rupert and Master Laughan, as being the only two sober souls in all her company. The rest of the tipsy dogs were making night shiver with their shoutings, and their shootings, and their singings, and all the other insanities123 of debauch. And if the Spaniards had been on board, the silly fellows would have got drunk just the same. There is no trusting these buccaneers of the Spanish Main once they have got liquor to their hands, and that is the great reason why they are so unthrifty with their lives. Even a hard-witted fellow like Simpson the Yorkshireman could addle124 his brain on these occasions like the weakest of them.
Still with that happy-go-lucky navigation which is one of the features of the Carib Sea, the carrack sailed on, missing the reefs and shallows, coming to no harm in the gales125, and in time she came to the harbour of Tortuga, for which she aimed. The buccaneers stood to the guns, firing shot from them in joyous126 salvos, and caring not one iota127 where the said shot flew. The carrack fluttered with banners and ancients, and the castle, and the squalid town by the water's edge, and the shipping128 at anchor quickly hoisted flags in welcome. There is no mistaking the manner of buccaneers returning well laden, and the harpies of Tortuga who live on such are not niggard in showing their joy that more ruffians have come in to be fleeced. Boats put out from the beach manned by vintners and tawdry hussies, each desirous of being first to catch a man, and on the castle of the Governor three trumpets129 and a drum made desirable music.
There was a fleet of three ships anchored apart from the others in the harbour, and Rupert's eye moistened as he looked upon them. They were the ships of His Majesty130 Charles II., which had come out to these seas with Rupert as Admiral to gain moneys for the upkeep of the Court at The Hague. They had been pawned to Monsieur D'Ogeron as a ransom for those distressed131 cavaliers that the accursed Cromwell had sold to the buccaneers. And here they were, out of their period of service, and ready once more to take on board their natural Admiral.
"Shall I round up the carrack amongst the fleet?" asked Master Laughan, who stood at the helm. "It will be a joyful132 moment for our people when they know who's returned to them."
"Let them keep their joy, then, for another hour or so," said Rupert, "and do you carry on to an anchorage beyond. Seeing for how long a time we've been parted, it is only civil that first I should go up to the castle and pay my respects to Monsieur D'Ogeron. He and I have still an account to settle before I leave this desirable harbour."
So the carrack was brought to an anchor, with her courses roughly brailed and topsails lowered. But there was no attempt at stowing the canvas tidily, as the buccaneers were too keen to get ashore for their organised debauch, and, indeed, were already too drunk to venture aloft and out upon the foot-ropes. So all went off in shore-boats to the beach, and Rupert took the secretary's arm and turned to stroll up to the hill-top, where the castle crouched menacingly over the harbour. The women of the place tried hard with their loathly blandishments to detain them, but Prince Rupert was not the man to heed133 such tawdry Circes as these, though indeed he declined their invitation civilly, and even with a laughing word. So by degrees they walked up under the baking sunshine, and passed underneath134 the massive beam of the gateway135, where the heads of Monsieur D'Ogeron's most recent enemies grilled136 under an outrageous137 sun.
The entrance yard was a mere rat-pit, a trap in which the unfriendly could be shot down without a chance of retaliation138. The only entrance door was in the upper story, and the ladder which gave access to this was hauled up with a chain and a pulley. However, after an exacting parley139 with a sentinel, Monsieur D'Ogeron consented to give audience to his visitors, and, once inside, extended to them his usual coarse amiability140. "Mon Prince," he cried, "you have come back to claim your fleet within a week of the day on which it reverts141 to your command. If one may judge by your clothes, you've been seeing service. I trust that your outlay142 of courage has brought you a full financial return?"
"So—so," said Rupert.
"Well, try my brew143 of sangoree. You'll have found by now that this climate breeds a most delicious thirst."
"I thank you, but I will not drink."
The Governor laughed pleasantly. "You still stick to your Old-World courtesies, I see. Now, to me, one drink's as good as another, and I'd not refuse a man's invitation to swallow his sangoree, even if I were going to cut his throat next minute."
"I can believe it of you. You are a very nasty fellow, Monsieur."
The Governor of Tortuga shrugged144 his shoulders and blew a long mouthful of tobacco smoke from his pipe. But he took no offence. "You didn't come up here to quarrel with me in words, I'll be bound, mon Prince. Neither did you call with the intention of putting your sword through me, as you know well by this how cunningly I can defend myself, and how unpleasant it is for callers to annoy me. Your Highness is a man of observation. You'll have noted145 the heads above the gateway?"
"They are all new since I was here last. Your Excellency is right. I did not come to exchange courtesies, civil or otherwise. I came for business: in a word, I am here to receive an account of my fleet's performance."
"Oh, they served me passing well, thanks to my own officers who were on board to keep tally146 and give directions. They caught five ships on the sea, and skimmed one a nice fat town. They brought no women back with them, having some foolish scruple147, which even my officers could not get over—indeed, come to think of it, their obedience148 at times was none of the best—and, thirsty dogs that they were, they drank up all the wine they captured long before they sailed back into harbour here. But I'll not complain. They brought me a most appetising cargo of gold bars and plate."
"Which should have gone to the King."
Monsieur D'Ogeron reached out for the smouldering lintstock which stood on the table, and relit his pipe. "What, you still toy with that old fable149 of loyalty150? Well, I've accounted myself no small judge of men, but it's a strange world, this. Why, by this, they'll have forgotten you in Europe."
"I flatter myself they'll keep me longer in memory."
The Governor shook his head and his pipe. "And your King will have written off your ships from his accounts as a speculation151 that's failed. Now, if I were your Highness, I'd not surprise him. I'd keep those ships. And I'd found myself a pretty little kingdom out here, and be absolute, and not go home to be servant again to an unstable Stuart. Why, Prince, you've got all the materials for a kingdom ready and waiting: the men are in your own ships; the women you can gather from any city of the Main you like to fetch them from, and there you are with the essentials complete. You choose your site, you build your town and fort, you catch your Indians, or you import Guinea blacks for slaves, and for occupation and revenue you raid the Spanish, when indeed you are not enjoying domestic joys at home. And, let me tell you, that domestic joys out here are not things to be valued lightly. They grow upon a man."
"Sir," said Rupert, "have done. By now you might have known that such talk disgusts me. You appear to find enjoyment152 in living over that swinish village, which you miscall a town, on the beach yonder; but other men are built different, and, for myself, it would make me sick."
Monsieur D'Ogeron remained unruffled. "I see what you're at," he said with a wink. "You want to make me lose my temper and consent to fight you. Why should I? For honour? I haven't any. For chivalry153? I've forgotten what it is. To please your whim78? Why, there my own disinclination comes first. I haven't a particle of quarrel with you, mon Prince, and I really do not see how you can scratch one up. I've got the best of the bargain over the fleet, I've got the best of the bargain all through, and I quite see you've your sore. But I refuse to let you heal it by carving154 holes in me.—Here's to your speedy mending," said he, and swigged deeply at the sangoree.—"I do wish your Highness would drink. This abstinence is a slur155 on my hospitality."
Prince Rupert sat biting his nails in bitter anger. He knew well the dispositions of the Governor of Tortuga's audience-room from previous humiliating experience. Behind one curtain stood a demi-bombarde, with a gunner and a lighted lintstock beside it, which could blow him to pieces at a word. Behind another curtain was another rogue156, holding strings157 that governed those traps in the flooring which shot Monsieur D'Ogeron's unwelcome visitors into the dungeons158 beneath. And for aught the Prince knew, there might be other monkey pranks159 in readiness equally nasty. To be beaten by anyone was bad enough, but to be beaten by a creature of the low, dishonourable cunning of this Monsieur de Tortuga was past a gentleman's endurance. And so Rupert bit his nails through helpless rage.
The Governor lay back in his chair, watching the fumes161 from his tobacco pipe as they drifted towards the beams above, but withal keeping the tail of one eye warily162 upon the Prince. He was a man well-used to danger, and he plumed163 himself that he knew where danger lay, and by forethought was amply secured against it. But he had all his mind for the Prince, and not so much as a thought for the secretary, and indeed openly sneered164 at the poor creature for her slim figure and (what he was pleased to term) mincing165, finicking ways. Indeed, if the bare truth be told, it was as much resentment166 at this contemptuous neglect (and to show the brute167 that she could be as dangerous as any man) that the poor secretary made the move that cut the Gordian knot of the situation. For by a sudden leap she stood behind Monsieur D'Ogeron's chair, pressing her poniard down upon his left shoulder.
She cried out that she would assuredly drive the weapon down into his heart if he moved, or if any of those who watched round the room so much as stirred, and of a truth would have murdered him there in sheer self-defence if he had disobeyed, though the mere thought of doing it turned her sick.
Rupert, with his quick appreciation of events, sat himself suddenly on the table (knowing the instability of the floor), and the frowns on his face changed to merry laughter. "Bravo, Stephen, lad," cried he. "Strike home if there's any discourtesy shown you. And now, Monsieur D'Ogeron, our diplomacy168 has come down to a plane where you may find yourself more amenable169 to reason."
The Governor smoked on unmoved. A curtain at one side of the room whisked across and showed a gunner, lighted match in hand, standing over the touch-hole of his piece. Another curtain moved away, and there was the man who commanded the strings of the traps of the floor, and behind him a dozen uncombed fellows, each with pistols and hanger170.
"We seem at a deadlock," said the Governor, with a wave of his pipe-stem.
"As for the lock, that's to be proved, Monsieur," said Master Laughan from behind him; "but as for being dead, why, there you will take precedence of all in this chamber171 when action begins." And in emphasis she twisted the poniard so that it might prick172 the Governor's shoulder through his clothing.
The Governor reached slowly for his sangoree and drank it with an air. "Mon Prince," he said, "the needs of your gracious sovereign at The Hague really begin to touch my conscience. If so lowly a creature as myself might help with a mite173, it would give me vast pleasure to become his banker to the extent of—well, I am in an open mood to-day—say anything up to ten thousand pieces-of-eight."
"It is strange," said Rupert, "but our wishes seem to jump the same way. In fact you could not have made a more pleasing suggestion, Monsieur, except that you made one small tongue-slip in the figures. Surely the sum you had in mind was fifty thousand?"
"You are quite right. I meant to have said twenty thousand, though it will leave my treasury174 dangerously bare."
"Fifty," said Rupert pleasantly.
"One cannot do the impossible. I have some very ingenious torture instruments in this castle, and some very patient tormentors who are skilled in their use. Between them they have brought about some marvellous changes of opinion, but even they could not make me say more than thirty thousand. If you doubt me, and carry this matter too far, perhaps presently you will be persuaded to go down into the torture chamber and test the perfection of my instruments for yourselves?"
"Ah, there," said Rupert, "I fear we must decline your invitation, Monsieur. Strange though it may seem in these seas of the New World, both Master Laughan and I have a certain niceness of nature which makes the sight of such things unpalatable. But I think, Stephen, that if you pressed your point a little further home, Monsieur D'Ogeron might still be brought to see things in our light."
Upon which the secretary in her nervousness thrust at the poniard so shrewdly, that the Governor with a bundle of oaths yelled out that he was beaten, and only prayed that the beastly dagger175 might be taken away from his shoulder.
"Young man," said he, "you had your iron far enough in for me to feel the chill. Do you know this is a very dangerous prank160 to play with one of my habit of life?"
There was still a difficulty remaining as to how the money was to be taken from the Castle treasury to the cabin of his flagship in the fleet where Rupert wished to see it stowed. The Prince distrusted Monsieur D'Ogeron implicitly176, and (to own the bare truth) Monsieur D'Ogeron was indecently wary177 lest he should get himself too far into the Prince's hands. But in the end the pair of them left the castle arm-in-arm as though they had been the dearest of friends, and Master Laughan, as a dependent should, marched humbly178 behind them, though with a dagger very handy.
Chairs and a table were set upon the beach, and presently drink was brought (without which little business is done in the New World) and the pair of them toasted one another very handsomely. Even a creature like the Governor of Tortuga could not but admire the splendid parts of Rupert Palatine, and it seems that Rupert found points of excellence even in Monsieur D'Ogeron.
Meanwhile the money was brought down in sacks, and taken out in boats to the fleet, where a receipt was duly given, and the Governor saw his ill-got riches taken away from him for the service of the King without a frown or an angry word. He had the virtue179 of philosophy, this monarch180 of the buccaneers, and accepted the unavoidable like a man of sense. And moreover, as he said, the harvest of those seas was inexhaustible. The Spaniard, like the devil, was always with them, and it was an honest buccaneer's duty to get the better of both.
So the money was paid, and the parting was made, and Prince Rupert was rowed out across the still waters of the harbour to take his proper place once more as Admiral of the King's fleet. Master Laughan followed at his heels with a heart loaded with cheerful emotions. Alas181, poor fond creature, little did she know that they were posting towards that lamentable182 quarrel which (soon after the horrid drowning of Prince Maurice) separated them eternally. Little did Rupert guess that he was so soon to be separated from one whose love and faithfulness towards him has been abundantly proved to all the world. Little did the secretary dream that she would lose as her patron that most noble, fearless and adorable man ever born since history began.
One weapon alone could the secretary have used that would have stilled the quarrel the moment it began; if she had declared her sex Rupert would have taken back the bitter word that drove her from his side. But she would have died sooner than make confession183; and when she left her Prince, he was still ignorant that it was the maid Mary Laughan, and not Stephen the youth who had so lovingly and truly served him.
THE END.
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1
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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2
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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3
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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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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5
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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6
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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7
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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8
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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9
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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10
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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11
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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12
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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13
cabal
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| n.政治阴谋小集团 | |
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14
vainglorious
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| adj.自负的；夸大的 | |
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15
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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16
galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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17
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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18
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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19
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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20
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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21
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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22
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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23
convivial
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| adj.狂欢的，欢乐的 | |
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24
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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25
glut
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| n.存货过多，供过于求；v.狼吞虎咽 | |
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26
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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27
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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28
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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29
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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30
debauch
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| v.使堕落，放纵 | |
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31
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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32
apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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33
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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34
immunity
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| n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权 | |
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35
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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36
leniently
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| 温和地，仁慈地 | |
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37
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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38
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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39
distil
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| vt.蒸馏；提取…的精华，精选出 | |
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40
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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41
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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42
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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43
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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44
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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45
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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46
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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47
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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48
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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49
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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50
piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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51
gourmands
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| n.喜欢吃喝的人，贪吃的人( gourmand的名词复数 )；美食主义 | |
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52
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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53
boiler
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| n.锅炉；煮器(壶，锅等) | |
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54
stews
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| n.炖煮的菜肴( stew的名词复数 )；烦恼，焦虑v.炖( stew的第三人称单数 )；煨；思考；担忧 | |
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55
stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 | |
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56
docility
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| n.容易教，易驾驶，驯服 | |
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57
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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58
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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59
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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60
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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61
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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62
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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63
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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64
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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65
cower
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| v.畏缩，退缩，抖缩 | |
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66
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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67
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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68
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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69
accentuated
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| v.重读( accentuate的过去式和过去分词 )；使突出；使恶化；加重音符号于 | |
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70
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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71
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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73
cram
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| v.填塞，塞满，临时抱佛脚，为考试而学习 | |
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74
cramp
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| n.痉挛；[pl.](腹)绞痛；vt.限制，束缚 | |
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75
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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76
risky
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| adj.有风险的，冒险的 | |
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77
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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78
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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79
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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80
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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81
unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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82
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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83
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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84
vat
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| n.(=value added tax)增值税，大桶 | |
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85
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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86
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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87
squint
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| v. 使变斜视眼, 斜视, 眯眼看, 偏移, 窥视; n. 斜视, 斜孔小窗; adj. 斜视的, 斜的 | |
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88
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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89
brooked
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| 容忍，忍受（brook的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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90
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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91
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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92
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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93
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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94
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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95
wholesomeness
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| 卫生性 | |
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96
condiments
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| n.调味品 | |
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97
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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98
loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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99
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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100
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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101
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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102
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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103
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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104
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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105
scoop
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| n.铲子，舀取，独家新闻；v.汲取，舀取，抢先登出 | |
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106
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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107
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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108
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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109
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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110
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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111
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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112
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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113
marooning
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| vt.把…放逐到孤岛（maroon的现在分词形式） | |
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114
squander
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| v.浪费，挥霍 | |
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115
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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117
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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118
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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120
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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121
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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122
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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123
insanities
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| 精神错乱( insanity的名词复数 )； 精神失常； 精神病； 疯狂 | |
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124
addle
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| v.使腐坏，使昏乱 | |
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125
gales
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| 龙猫 | |
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126
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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127
iota
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| n.些微，一点儿 | |
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128
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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129
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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130
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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131
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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132
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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133
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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134
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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135
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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136
grilled
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| adj. 烤的, 炙过的, 有格子的 动词grill的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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137
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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138
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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139
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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140
amiability
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| n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的 | |
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141
reverts
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| 恢复( revert的第三人称单数 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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142
outlay
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| n.费用，经费，支出；v.花费 | |
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143
brew
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| v.酿造，调制 | |
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144
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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145
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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146
tally
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| n.计数器，记分，一致，测量；vt.计算，记录，使一致；vi.计算，记分，一致 | |
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147
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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148
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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149
fable
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| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
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150
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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151
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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152
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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153
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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154
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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155
slur
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| v.含糊地说；诋毁；连唱；n.诋毁；含糊的发音 | |
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156
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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157
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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158
dungeons
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| n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 ) | |
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159
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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160
prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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161
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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162
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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163
plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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164
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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165
mincing
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| adj.矫饰的；v.切碎；切碎 | |
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166
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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167
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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168
diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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169
amenable
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| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
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170
hanger
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| n.吊架，吊轴承；挂钩 | |
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171
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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172
prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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173
mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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174
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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175
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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176
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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177
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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178
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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179
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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180
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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181
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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182
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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183
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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