AI see now why old Pedro Alonzo was so keen to get out that port lad, it weren't just to get away from the pox, he's arranged to meet up with this tattooed
[email protected] AThat'd explain the delay Uncle Paddy. But what if they don't meet
[email protected] AThey do though lad. The girl's already said so, the helmet wouldn't >ave taken you to this ship by coincidence would it, and they just happen to be talking about the Carnatic by name. No they'll meet up, sure as there's a nose on me mother's
[email protected] Paddy and Davey both looked at each as at that precise moment Mrs Murtagh called up the stairs, ANeed anything
[email protected] He thumped the floor once with his stick to indicate that he didn't. AShe's acting strange lad,@ he said.
AI can't understand how come she hasn't let me mam and dad know I'm not in work, do yer reckon she know's what we're doing but wants us to help the
[email protected] ACould be lad, could be, there's definitely some rhyme in her reason. Come on get back on with it. I reckon we've found out enough about this Richard feller. He's just another money-grabbin' git who'll sell his own mother for the price of a
[email protected] AShould we tell the old man
[email protected] ANaw, what's the point. Just zip it up to where the flamin' ships meet each other. I'm getting fed up with this, I need some
[email protected] AHold up Uncle Paddy, we're forgetting something, the old man asked us to find out if the captain of the schooner would help him when he gets onto his
[email protected] AYeah, so what,@ said Paddy impatient to get going.
AWell this O'Neill knows Pedro Alonzo who knows the old man, maybe O'Neill also knows the old
[email protected] ABig >maybe' lad, just get on with it will
[email protected] A brilliant star-lit night passed, the sun had not risen over the horizon when a freshening breeze caught the sails and slowly filled them. The ship felt as though a giant had breathed life into it, in his cabin Richard pulled on his clothes and went up on deck. O'Neill was on watch, AThere she is Captain,@ he nodded casually towards the distant horizon. There, silhouetted against the rising sun was the massive sailing vessel, the Carnatic.
AWhy did you not alert
[email protected] shouted Richard.
AThere's plenty of time till she gets
[email protected] Richard ignored him, he shouted orders which rose the whole ship and reprimanded the man manning the crow's nest for not spying the vessel.
The alarm was given, AACTION
[email protected] Men scurried hither and thither as the first rays from the sun spread like a warm blanket across the dark surface of the deep ocean.
AIt's going to be a good day,@ offered Richard to O'Neill when the ship had been brought round and picked up on the same breeze that brought their prey ever closer.
AHave a dekko at the Carnatic, see what's happening >
[email protected] Davey raced over the ocean to the galleon.
On the poop-deck of the Carnatic stood Captain Alonzo, both he and Hernando were studying the schooner through telescopes. AIt is a privateering vessel Sir, should I order the men to battle
[email protected] AFirst we will try to outrun them, can you determine whether the schooner is built for speed or built for
[email protected] Hernando returned to the telescope, AIt will surely outrun us whilst we are laden down with the Inca treasures. Only by ditching our cargo would we be able to outrun
[email protected] AThen we must pray that God sends us a miracle Hernando, perhaps the early morning will throw us up a fog-bank or perhaps the privateer will decide we are too heavily armed to tackle
[email protected] AGod has ignored us in our plight so far this voyage
[email protected] ANot another
[email protected] hissed the Captain hardly daring to ask the question.
ANo Sir, not since the powder-boy was reported missing during the early hours. The man next to him saw something but was too terrified to move, even now he is too frightened to speak of what he saw. Father Salamanga is ministering to
[email protected] AWhat! Take two marines and guard the man yourself Hernando. I order
[email protected] Looking questioningly back over his shoulder at Captain Alonzo as he walked away Hernando led the marines below.
Father Salamanga appeared at Captain Alonzo's side so quietly and suddenly that he jumped in fright, ACaptain, I did not mean to startle you,@ smiled the priest, AI bring bad tidings, a young boy departed from our midst during the night, I have just finished tending to another man who had been deeply affected by the boy's disappearance. He too sadly passed away, I have taken the liberty of consigning him to the
[email protected] Trying not to sound alarmed Captain Alonzo replied, AThank you father, to what do you attribute this, is it some other form of manifestation of the
[email protected] AI fear not, there is evil present here. Sailors are always superstitious but some are saying that there is a devil onboard, >from out of the mouths of babes comes truth', I begin to wonder whether they may be correct. If only the good brothers of Toledo were here we would quickly act to stamp this out. I am alone, but I shall endeavour to fight whatever may have come amongst
[email protected] AIt may be that the men will soon have thoughts upon other matters,@ said the captain pointing towards the schooner.
The priest's eyes narrowed, ASuch is fate my son. Such is
[email protected] Hernando returned, ACaptain, the man is gone
[email protected] Captain Alonzo cut in with, AThe good Father has informed me of this Hernando, the man has passed onto a better place than we
[email protected] ARightly spoken my son,@ said the father gravely.
AYou will excuse me father whilst I attend to other
[email protected] Father Salamanga bowed deeply and retired below.
AHoist all the canvas we have available, bring the men up on deck, we shall test out this little boat that has chosen to cross paths with the might of
[email protected] Immediately that Hernando had relayed the order the captain whispered to him, AHernando, you will remember that I spoke to you of a number of >factors'
[email protected] AAye
[email protected] AThe good father is one of those factors, go to the carpenter, see whether the chest I have asked him to prepare for me is
[email protected] Looking even more questioningly at the captain Hernando hurried to carry out the instruction.
Far above his head headsails, topsails and gallants were unfurled and the stately galleon surged forwards, a knotted line was thrown alongside to record the increase in speed. By mid-morning the gentle swell of the ocean had increased with the strengthening wind until the galleon was sliding up one side of the swells and down the other. But the schooner was far more seaworthy than its quarry, it sliced through the swells and held a far-tighter course, steadily it reduced the distance between the two vessels. Most of the men from each crew were up in the rigging dragging on shrouds, tightening braces and splicing stays doing everything that could be done to catch the wind and force more speed from their ships.
AWhat's goin' on? I thought Pedro was doin' a
[email protected] AI suppose he's got to make it look realistic otherwise his men will know what's
[email protected] Davey moved back to the schooner, his thoughts were confirmed.
AWhy does he try so desperately to outrun us O'
[email protected] snapped Richard.
AWouldn't look right if he were to just sail up to us and hand over his cargo would it Sir,@ said O'Neill in a voice that had a slightly sarcastic edge to it, Richard chose to ignore him, the man was uncouth but he was serving his purpose. By late afternoon it became apparent that they would catch the Spanish ship but the fear was that this might not happen until nightfall. Under cover of darkness the Carnatic would be able to slip away. Richard stared up at the sails, every square inch of canvas available had been hoisted, even the jib sail had been replaced by a larger sail from the mizzen mast, the jib buckled and snapped as it coped with the extra demands. Orders were given to repair the damage but it cost valuable minutes. An old seaman crossed onto the aft-deck, AI be begging your pardon Sir but I think that we could do something to hurry us up a
[email protected] AYes
[email protected] snapped Dawson.
AWell first off there's the question of payment, I reckon it'd be worth a do
uble share, would it not Cap'
[email protected] He looked towards Richard.
AYes
[email protected] he barked, ACome on out with
[email protected] ADampen the sails, I saw it done when I were a nipper, give us a few extra knots it
[email protected] AWhy didn't you say this
[email protected] cried Richard, at the same time giving the order.
Buckets of sea-water were hoisted aloft and thrown onto the canvas, it soaked into the cloth, swelling it and filling every tiny space that existed between the weave. The ship rushed forwards, a seaman called out the knots as the ship sailed faster.
AThey'll catch them now for sure,@ said Davey, AI'm going to tell the old
[email protected] He swept onboard the galleon but the shock of seeing the snake outside the hiding-place made him forget whatever he was going to say. He moved inside to where the old man and Chacuti sat in their damp hollow, the old man straightened as he too saw the animal.
AI'm here old man,@ said Davey.
The terror of the old man and child was horrible to see, Davey moved back out and watched as
the snake began tearing strips of timber from the planking, spitting out great splinters as it bit its way forwards.
AIt's just like the girl said it was Uncle
[email protected] AWell check on the other ship! If the lass has got it right it'll soon be setting itself up for a
[email protected] They moved out through the hull, there, just as Paddy had guessed, was the schooner; it's gun-ports were all open, it's cannon protruded threateningly. It had a ship's length to go before it overhauled the galleon. Even with its heavy cargo the galleon rode proud and high, causing it to tilt with every sea swell which rocked against its sides. The Spanish cannoneers cursed their unstable platform and sought blocks to place under the rear axles of their weapons in order to bring them to bear on the lower-riding English ship which knifed through the ocean in a flat plane.
ABATTLE
[email protected] ordered Richard.
Men climbed into the rigging carrying bows, grappling-hooks and muskets; cannon were loaded, some with shot, some with chains which would wreak havoc as they raked their way across the other ship's decks, gouging out showers of deadly wooden splinters.
O'Neill was shouting to Richard, AListen to me! It'll only need a single shot across his bows! He wants his share of the gold as much as we do. Half the gun-ports are dummies, look carefully, you can see for
[email protected] Richard peered through his telescope, he focused upon the name >Carnatic' then, fighting to hold his arms steady against the adrenaline which flowed through them, he inspected the gun-ports. The ports that were active could clearly be distinguished from the fakes - they remained closed. All told the Carnatic possessed fewer cannon than the schooner.
AWe must attack
[email protected] shouted Mr Dawson with his eye upon the sun which was standing upon the horizon, soon it would sink and night would fall. The sky was a beautiful backdrop to the majestic ships, tinged with bright hues of red it cast a ruddy glow over the vessels.
AFire across her
[email protected] ordered Richard.
Men began hauling on tackle, rapidly levering a cannon round.
AHere's the shot Uncle
[email protected] Davey passed back into the side of the Carnatic. He saw the snake's eyes peering in at the old man and child they were shouting and screaming.
AThey're about to shoot! Stand
[email protected] he warned the old man.
The snake began to put its head into the torn timbers, the old man stood up and placed the child behind himself, protecting her with his own body. At that same instant the whole ship seemed to explode, the timbers were rent asunder and erupted all around them. But for the protection the helmet gave them the old man and child would have been ripped to pieces. The galleon took the shot with barely a shudder but the shot had penetrated near its water-line, as the first swell rose against its side gallons of water poured into the hold. The snake emitted a high-pitched scream and retreated.
Only by extending itself to its full length was the snake able to reach the trap-door which led to the captain's cabin. It constricted its body up from the hold then lay panting hard before it began to slowly return to the form of Father Salamanga.
ACome
[email protected] called the old man. He lifted her out through the shattered hole and dropped down with her into the warm ocean, the ships were coming alongside as he swam quickly across the bows of the schooner and allowed it to pass by him, a rope hanging from its deck was their only chance to get aboard but it hung too high. As the vessel passed by Chacuti rose up from out of the sea and gripped the rope, pulling it down to the old man.
AWhat's that in the
[email protected] exclaimed Davey. He looked down into the ocean until the whole of the mirror was filled with the sea, deeper they went and saw a huge white shark. Its body shuddered as it unleashed its power, it ploughed through the water heading straight towards the old man. Suddenly a streamlined shaped zipped through the sea and slammed straight into the shark's side. AIt's the
[email protected] cried Davey. The shark dwarfed the mammals but they continued to charge into its thick body whenever it attempted to launch itself into the attack. Each time one of them struck home the shark's body appeared to buckle then it straked its rows of teeth through the water in an attempt to seize the dolphins, they were far too quick for it. Their smiling faces belied the fury with which they prevented the shark from seizing its prey.
The old man and child were unaware of the battle taking place beneath their feet, they were pulled along bouncing and skipping off the schooner's bow-wave. As soon as they were past the natural obstacle they swarmed up the rope and over the ship's gunwales.
[email protected] yelled a marine raising his sword as he bore down upon them.
[email protected] came a tremendous shout from the aft-deck, it was O'Neill.
APhew, that was a close
[email protected] gasped Davey.
AAlmost was
[email protected] joked Paddy, ATalk of out the frying-pan and into the fire. If these two were cats they've used up their lives
[email protected] They watched as the marine levelled his sword to guard them, AImagine the butcher of Dombey Street with one of
[email protected] Davey laughed at the image of the barber let loose with a sword, he was bad enough with a razor.
The old man didn't waste any time. He removed the helmet from his head allowing O'Neill to get a better look, AI thought it were you
[email protected] he grinned, Awhat brings you aboard
[email protected] AFate throws us together again O'Neill, it has been many a year since you were last alongside
[email protected] ATrincomalee harbour, if I'm not very much mistaken,@ said O'Neill, Aand tell me, how is Captain Alonzo, is he
[email protected] AHe is,@ replied the old man.
AThe old man knows there's something going on between O'Neill and Alonzo, he's just let me know,@ said Davey.
AWell tell him to get going on sorting out the Shyman
[email protected] The old man began to speak to O'Neill but Richard interrupted, AShe's running up her colours O'
[email protected] ADidn't I tell yer old Pedro wouldn't let us
[email protected] cheered O'Neill.
AHow come >e's given up without a
[email protected] asked Paddy, Aisn't that making it a bit
[email protected] AI'll shift it back and take a look Uncle
[email protected] Hernando returned to the captain, ASir, the chest you speak of is ready but should we not order the men to
[email protected] He looked across the short distance which separated the two vessels.
AAye Hernando carry
[email protected] But as soon as Hernando had given the order the captain again spoke to him, AYou will not understand what I am about to tell you but the ship you see over yonder is not our greatest danger, the devil himself sails with
[email protected] Hernando drew in a sharp breath, AThe men are speaking of this Sir, five men and a boy since we sailed. They fear whatever is aboard more than any English
[email protected] AThe priest, Father Salamanga, is possessed of a demon, do not ask me how I know this but I do, it is my intention to surrender. The crew have lost all heart for a
[email protected] The statement about the priest obviously stunned Hernando but he was a good enough officer to keep his mind on military matters, AIf we lay to with the rope's end the crew will f
[email protected] Both men ducked as they heard the first cannon-shot, it smashed a hole into the side of the galleon close to the water-line. Craning over the gunwales to observe the damage they witnessed the old man and child drop down into the ocean. The captain turned to the first mate, ATake three men, assess the damage, if possible begin repairs
[email protected] AAye aye
[email protected] called a tarry-haired sailor as he gathered together the necessary crew.
ASee Hernando, already we run the risk of losing not only the cargo but the whole ship. Fully-armed we might be able to give these English dogs a bloody nose, even under-armed as we are I might have considered it but the danger within is as great as that which lies over
[email protected] Hernando saw the reality of their situation, AI'll give the order
[email protected] Under normal circumstances to surrender without a fight would have caused a near mutiny but the Spanish sailors' whispers pointed towards their wishing to be able to share their fears with other men - be they English or whatever. AMen's men, devil is devil's,@ one of the sailors in the first-mate's party said as they made their way deeper into the hold. Each man carried a lamp and looked furtively around daggers drawn as they made their way towards the damaged hull.
Grapppling-hooks were hurled and the two vessels were dragged together. The schooner lay a lot lower in the water than its giant prize but an armed boarding-party led by Richard quickly swung aboard. It encountered no resistance and began to rapidly disarm the Spaniards.
AThey don't seem to have any fight in them,@ Richard said quietly to O'Neill. AThis Alonzo wouldn't have let his crew in on our little secret would
[email protected] O'Neill didn't seem too sure, ASomething's knocked the fight out of them, that's for sure. There's Alonzo, on the
[email protected] They ran across the deck and climbed up to the captain of the Carnatic.
AMy sword Captain,@ said Captain Alonzo studiously avoiding even looking at O'Neill.
To cheers from his men Richard took the offered weapon gracefully. APlease return with me to my ship, and we will discuss terms,@ as the captain followed him Richard turned to O'Neill, Aclap the crew in
[email protected] Captain Alonzo raised an objection but Richard assured him on his word as a gentleman that it was purely a safety measure and that as soon as terms had been struck they would be released. Alonzo acquiesced and indicated to Hernando that he should take charge in his absence. Night was falling so lamps were lit to illuminate the vessels. The work of shackling the Spanish crew began, heavy iron collars were hammered home upon the right-ankle of each man, a stout chain linked the collars together. Soon the deck was filled with a great line of men anchored to each other. One of the men screamed as he fought with his captors, ANo, anything, I'll do anything, don't fasten that on
[email protected] The man next to him informed them, AHe served in the galleys for five
[email protected] To screams of protest the metal was hammered shut, the imprisoned man sat pushing it down hard against his ankle as if hoping that the iron might widen and release him.
The old man was sent for and led down to Richard's cabin where he and Alonzo sat together, AI believe that you have something to tell
[email protected] inquired Richard of the old man. Alonzo spoke, AI have made the captain aware of the present difficulty, the Carnatic carries, shall we say, not just a cargo in wealth but in
[email protected] The old man grasped the situation, AYou have traded your ship for gain. You will not get away with it Don Alonzo. I now understand your desire to sail, you had a rendezvous with this
[email protected] ASlowly does it cookie,@ grinned Alonzo, Awho are you to talk, you, a deserter helping a child to escape from whatever crime she has
[email protected] AYou know that is not the case Don Alonzo, the child escapes from the self-same devil that is killing your own
[email protected] AWhat is
[email protected] asked Richard.
AIt is nothing Captain,@ smiled Alonzo, Athe old man exaggerates, come old man, there is no great danger is
[email protected] AThere was no great danger in the harbour of Trincomalee when you made your first deal with the English dog O'Neill, forty good men went to the bottom that
[email protected] AName your price old man,@ said Alonzo, Awhat price do you put upon
[email protected] AThe question is not of price but of who will survive this voyage, whilst you play at getting rich the Shaman of the Incas is murdering your
[email protected] Richard slammed his hand furiously upon the table, AWhat is this you speak of old man? I want to know what it is that you refer
[email protected] AYou have sown a fine plot Captain but into your plans has walked the Devil,@ said the old man simply but the effect of his words was great.
O'Neill entered the cabin, AO'
[email protected] barked Richard, ADo you know what is going on
[email protected] He looked questioningly at the old man, ADon't worry about
[email protected] Richard yelled, AIt seems he's the only straight talking person around here,@ he glared at Captain Alonzo. O'Neill stared at his accomplice as if trying to find some sort of answer in his eyes, AWe do not have much time! barked Richard.
O'Neill spoke, AWe have the Carnatic, the Inca gold is onboard, by morning we shall have loaded it into our own hold then Pedro here can continue back to Spain. He'll get his share
[email protected] ASo the plot is as deep as Trincomalee's harbour,@ cut in the old man.
Richard held his hand up for silence. AI think we can agree on one thing before we go any further old man, the gold was stolen by Spain, if it should end up going elsewhere then that is perfectly satisfactory. Is it
[email protected] AYou are right in what you say Sir but the work of Captain Alonzo here costs good men their
[email protected] AIt was not I who led that priest onboard my ship old
[email protected] shouted Alonzo, Ahalf-a-dozen of my men have lost not their souls to your Inca
[email protected] AWe turn full-circle, and find that there is someone, or should I say something, on the Carnatic that ought not to be there. Now, let us put all our differences aside and decide what should be
[email protected] All four men made gestures of agreement. Captain Alonzo spoke first, AI have the means of dealing with this priest prepared, my trap is ready, all that is required is someone to bait
[email protected] AYour will not use the child. She has suffered
[email protected] said the old man.
ABut she is what the creature wants, she can lead him into the trap, why else would he fall into
[email protected] asked Alonzo.
AI don't know what's going on here, not fully, not yet,@ said O'Neill, Abut if its devils and demons involved you can count me
[email protected] AThen who is to bait the trap
[email protected] asked Alonzo looking round and smiling at each in turn.