Doctor Syn on the High Seas - Thorndike Russell (читать лучшие читаемые книги TXT) 📗

drinking with him. Nothing lost, for they already curious to know who he

might be, they accepted with politeness, and Syn called for the best

wine and sat down.

He told them he w as Captain Clegg, and had arrived in Santiago, but

an hour. He was here on business, he said, and did any of them know a

Captain Nicholas Tappitt, who went by the name of Black Nick?”

They smiled, and one of them answered that “Black Nick” had been the

last name in their mouths.

“Perhaps, Captain Clegg, I can explain the better,” replied the

youngest of the party, a good-looking Spaniard, who, through dressed

very foppishly, had a manly bearing which Syn admired. “I am under a

commission for this Capt ain Nicholas,” he went on. “I know the man

personally, whereas these friends of mine only know of him by

reputation, which I agree is not of the best. They have been advising me

to have nothing to do with him, but I am one capable of looking after

myself a nd for the best advantage. I will take a chance hand with fate

always, Senor, and so long as this or that employer serves my turn, I

serve him. You see that vessel anchored there beyond the harbour mouth?

He had her built. Yesterday she did her trail sailing trip. She is

superb. I am in love with that ship, though not so partial to her

captain, this Black Nick. But he has something of a genius for ships,

though, as I tell to his face, not so good a genius for dealing with

men. I find myself in position of first mate. I have a full crew aboard,

and not one of them who is not discontented or ever we put for sea.

Black Nick wants all for nothing. He has got the crew aboard under false

pretense. Their share of profit accruing from adventures is reduced to

the were minimum. They risk their necks at the yard -arm of any

Government ship for a mere pittance. I see trouble. But the ship if

sweet. Her guns are good. Her speed amazing. She has it in her to escape

or to attack, according to the captain’s mood. She is all ready for sea,

and has been so these last four days. We only wait for Black Nick

himself. He is transacting business with a gentleman from Havana, a

rich-planter and ship-owner, who is staying with the Governor of this

Town. We are to be sailing consort with two ships of his from Havana.”

Syn nodded. “And your crew are no doubt the more discontented at

being kept aboard when they might be drinking ashore?”

“Aye, and another thing,” went on the Spaniard. “The Black Nick is to

bring his wife aboard. And the men say, ‘Petticoats for all or none.”’

“To be sure petticoats are damned bad things on ships,” said Syn.

“And where will I find this Black Nick before he sails?”

- 98 -

“The Governor’s house is some two miles out in the country. He took

his wife and son out there this morning, I believe. They are to sleep

there at night, which means a further delay and more flame to feed my

men’s anger. I am now bound for The Staunch Brotherhood Inn, where he

promised to leave the orders. I delayed here purposely in order to miss

him if possible.”

“I see that you have no love for him,” said Syn. “I also see that my

faithful servant has collected my baggage and engaged porters there.

Since we lodge at ‘The Staunch Brotherhood’, perhaps you will accompany

us there.”

So, taking leave of the others, they sauntered along the quay,

followed by Mipps and the porters.

Arrived at the Inn, Pedro led Syn aside. “You had scarce been gone a

moment when they returned. They had seen you passing on to the quay. As

I was hastening to lighten the news about their rooms, they cut me short

with orders as though they were in great panic. No blame at all they

gave me. They asked me how long you would be gone, and when I told them

you were but collecting your baggage from your ship, they opened this

chest and packed the pile of clothes into it in the greatest hurry. All

this while they kept the Governor’s carriage waiting for them. When they

had locked the trunks, Black Nick gave orders that Juan Tarragona (whom

your hon our is now with) was to see their baggage upon his ship, the St.

Nicholas , and wait for them to board sometime upon the morrow. They

asked me to say nothing about these rooms which you had compelled me to

give you. your honour will therefore respect my very good faith and not

betray me. Your honour has treated me well.”

“I shall say nothing, friend Pedro,” returned Syn, smiling at the

man’s roguery. “And you in your turn will say nothing of this to Senor

Tarragona. I will give him his captain’s orders myself. And now, a word

of advice to you. You will do yourself no harm in keeping faith with me

in the future, for I shall be the means of putting much gold into your

treasure -chests. Now repeat the orders he left for that officer.”

“That he would carry the baggage aboard the St. Nicholas; keep the

ship ready for sea, as his business was sure to be completed by tomorrow

or the next day at the latest. Then the St. Nicholas is to sail towards

Havana, enter the Gulf of Batabano, to the south of it, where the

treasure -ships for escort would be waiting behind the Island de Pinos.

That is exact.”

“I will tell him,” said Syn. “And you remember to keep silent, unless

he asks for confirmation. I shall be leaving you today, but if during my

absence an American Indian called ‘The Blue Heron’ should ask for me,

you will say that Captain Clegg is aboard his ship the Imogene. He will

hear of her, I promise you, and so will you. The Indian can join me

aboard when he learns where she lies, and in the meanwhile, await news

here at my expense.”

After making Pedro repeat these instructions, Syn sent him to order

two riding-horses to take him and his servant to the Governor’s house

outside the town. He then rejoined Tarragona with the news of Black

Nick’s order, which he a ltered to serve his own purpose.

“Black Nick left messages for both of us with the landlord. You are

to take his baggage aboard the St. Nicholas immediately. You will also

show me the kindness to take mine, too, for I am to sail with you to

Havana. Now between ourselves, my friend, I am a very wealthy man, and

if I like the ships behaviour upon this trip, I shall make Black Nick an

offer for her. He wishes

us to go aboard and keep ready for sea, as he will join us in two day’s

time.”

“Ah, no,” cried Tarragona. “A further delay will man a mutiny. It was

with difficulty that I persuaded the men to keep ship today. If we do

not sail tonight, they will overpower the officers and take to the

boats. Then we shall have a fine drunken crew ashore, I promise you.”

- 99 -

“Leave it to me,” said Syn. “You go back with the baggage—mine and

Black Nick’s. I am going to ride out now to talk with him at the

Governor’s house. I and my servant will be back within two hours, and I

warrant I’ll bring Black Nick along with us. After what you told me

about his wife, I shall persuade him to leave her behind. One woman upon

a long voyage is dangerous to a crew of rough morals. Now, what are

these two ships like, that we are to consort?”

“There again, cried out Tarragona. “Shomehow the news is out amongst

my crew that we are to take these treasure-ships to Spain. They even

know their names, The Santa Mariana nd the Santa Clesta. To speak

frankly, the men aboard the St. Nicholas are pirates of the worst type,

and this voyage with but little profit to them, seems of too peaceful an