AHe's as crafty as a cart-load of monkeys this Alonzo, don't yer reckon
[email protected] AIt's set a thief to catch a thief Uncle
[email protected] AAye, but in this case it's set a devil to catch a devil. What do yer reckon the old man's going on about, Ceylon and Trick-on-me harbour? Does he mean Alonzo played a trick on him and his mates when they was
[email protected] ASeems like that Uncle Paddy, one thing's for sure it's just like the old man said, this Captain Alonzo seems such a straightforward bloke but he's far from it. If anyone can catch the Shaman it's
[email protected] AWhere is he
[email protected] AHe's there,@ said Davey touching the mirror over where Alonzo sat.
ANot him yer daft bee, the
[email protected] In the hold of the Carnatic, hidden behind baulks of oak stood Father Salamanga. The first men from the schooner led by Mr Dawson were examining the treasures taken from the Incas.
AIt's a fortune, it's like Aladdin's flipping cave, it's
[email protected] The men were stuck for words to describe their amazement as they ripped open chests, barrels and casks packed from top to bottom with indescribable treasures. One man lingered longer over one of the chests than the rest, into his pockets he furtively stuffed handfuls of pearl necklaces and gold coins. The Shaman slunk behind him, gripped him round the throat and silently carried out his wicked practice. Even as he absorbed the man's energy he hooked the body under his arm and carried it deeper into the hold.
[email protected] called one of the men, Alook at this over
[email protected] Their swinging lamps lit up gold objects which had been thrown into a heap in one corner of the hold. AThey must have run out of containers,@ suggested one of the men. Mr Dawson shook his head, ASomething doesn't seem quite
[email protected] ASomething's down here with us
[email protected] exclaimed one of the men. All the men sensed a horrible presence.
AI think we shall go back,@ Dawson instructed the men as he began to retrace his steps. The three men behind him followed.
Father Salamanga barred their retreat, his dripping dagger was clearly visible in one hand, upon his hip hung the limp body of his victim.
AEh, were'd he pop up
[email protected] asked one of the men, AClinton! Did this priest get past
[email protected] he shouted not seeing his friend.
The Shaman advanced towards them. AStop right
[email protected] warned Mr Dawson. He moved his sword towards the priest, the other men levelled their weapons and circled the Shaman, he tossed his victim aside. The priest ignored the warning and kept walking towards them, his strength was terrific, with a back-hand swipe he knocked the navigator head over heels and grinned, his smile revealed two vicious curved teeth. AHe's got a bit of a punch on him,@ said one of the sailors as he lunged in with a cutlass. The Shaman seized hold of the man's arm, pulled him quickly towards himself and bit him in the neck. The two remaining men were terrified. They dropped their weapons and ran screaming into the furthest recesses of the hold. As they stumbled deeper into the darkness they realised to their horror that not everything on which they trod was part of the cargo. The discarded bodies of the Spaniards who had repaired the damage caused by the cannon-fire sent them out of their wits.
Lit by their comrades lamps they witnessed the Shaman carry out his gruesome acts, then watched as he moved towards themselves.
AFlippin' >eck, it's murder. Get the old man to do
[email protected] AWe must act quickly Captain,@ said the old man to Richard. AEven as we speak the Shaman takes your
[email protected] AWHAT! What is this Sha-man? Did you not say that he is a
[email protected] AThey are one and the same, quickly now, I will act as the bait,@ answered the old man.
AVery well then we learn who we are to fight, now, are you with us Captain
[email protected] Alonzo smiled, AI am ready, now what say we put our heads together and decide how we are to tackle
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