STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
RENEGADES.
When Dutch recovered his senses, it was to find his head resting in hiswife's lap, and the doctor busily engaged in bandaging his wounds, andas the misty sense of wonder passed off, a feeling of thankfulness cameupon him, and he pressed the little soft hand that held his, for hisgreat horror had been lest Hester should have fallen into Laure's hands.The joy he felt was heightened, too, by seeing Bessy Studwick there aswell, busily attending her father, and then going from one to the other,carrying water, for the heat was terrible, and the wounds caused athirst that was almost maddening. But, painful as they were, not oneman had received mortal injury, and the doctor's words were more healingeven than his bandages.
Some hours passed, and then the cabin door was opened, and food andwater carried in by three of the men; and then, with Laure fully armedbehind him, came 'Pollo, who with swab and pail was ordered to removethe blood that liberally besprinkled the cabin floor.
His lips parted to speak, as he was at work where Oakum sat up withbandaged head, contentedly chewing his tobacco; but a significant motionof the Cuban's hands made him turn hastily away.
This did not close Oakum's lips, though, for he said, quietly,--
"Glad to see they ain't polished you off, 'Pollo, old man."
The black did not answer, and the Cuban came round, looking curiously athis prisoners' injuries, and scanning one after the other, ending byordering the cabin skylight to be taken off, and the sailors and Oakumto take possession of the forecastle, thus separating them from theirfriends.
"I don't want to stifle you all," he said, quietly. "Now, listen andremember. We are all well-armed on deck, and a careful watch will bekept, consequently any man who attempts violence will be shot down. Ishall treat you all well, and you can have the run of this part of theship for the present. To-morrow we sail for a fresh sunken galleon,gentlemen. I am much obliged to you for clearing this one out, and Ishall require your services for the next."
"For clearing this one out." The words roused an echo in Dutch's breastas now, for the first time, he recalled his discovery of the gold, and,in spite of the pain he was in, his heart throbbed with joy. The Cubanknew nothing of the gold, which must be worth far more, he calculated,than the silver, and this was a secret confined to his own breast.
The Cuban's plans were plain enough to them now. His object was toforce them to work at the recovery of more treasure, and then perhapsmake sure of what he had by killing them all afterwards; and Dutch madea mental vow that not a single descent would he make to further thevillain's aim, but as he did so he shuddered at the thought of what apowerful engine he could bring to bear by means of Hester, who waslikewise in the Cuban's power.
As this thought struck Dutch, his purpose wavered, and he felt that hewould be the Cuban's slave to save Hester from ill.
The greater part of the crew sided now with Laure. Six of the men hadbeen in his pay from the first, and it was their restlessness that madehim hasten his plans to their development, for he had had hard work tokeep them quiet, but now that the change in authority had taken place heruled them with a rod of iron, and there was not a man who did notshrink from his look and obey him like a child. The colour with whichhe had stained himself remained still, but it was no longer the cringingmulatto who paced the deck, but the keen, clever Cuban, ever watchful,ever on his guard, and ready to take every precaution to secure thetreasure he had won; and over this, night and day, he had an armedsentry, as if suspicious of any attempt on the part of his prisoners torob him of it by throwing any portion overboard.
Instead of setting sail at once, he altered his mind, and nearly a monthglided by--a month of misery to the prisoners, who, however, were wellcared for, and made to parade the deck for a couple of hours everyevening, just as an owner might exercise the beasts he kept; and Dutchknew well enough why this was done, so that he and his companions inmisfortune might be ready and strong to continue their work at theirtyrant's order; but all the same there was one source of satisfaction toDutch Pugh, for he saw how cumbered the Cuban was with his success, andin his greed for wealth at present there was a respite from his insolentadvances towards Hester, who was allowed to stay unmolested with herfriends.
Meanwhile the troublesome and painful wounds of those injured healedfast under the doctor's care; and he was called upon to dress the cutsof three of Laure's men, who, in spite of the desperate resistance, had,saving one who died two days afterwards, escaped with trifling injuries.
The question of retaking the ship had often been mooted; but, unlesssome special opportunity occurred, this at present was out of thequestion; but many a plan was proposed and canvassed in the saloonduring those dark hot nights, Sam Oakum giving it out as his idea thatthe best thing to do would be to take to the boat some night, and getaway after laying the wires of the battery in connection with thedynamite cartridges, and blowing the ship and hose within it toperdition.
Dutch shuddered as he heard the proposal, one which he scouted as beingas cowardly as it was horrible, but there was one thought which made himembrace even such a terrible plan as that.
The prisoners had been aware that something was afloat on deck, but whatthey could not make out, and any attempt to gain information was invain, for when they saw 'Pollo, who brought them their meals, which,thanks to him, were good and palatable, Laure was always watching, andto make matters worse it was very evident that the black was curryingfavour with the Cuban, and belonged now to the opposite faction.
At last, after vainly planning and giving up each plot as futile, theprisoners sat about in the cabins or wearily gazed out of the windowsone morning, waiting for change. The wounds were healing fast, and gavebut little trouble, and Hester, in spite of the close imprisonment, hadchanged rapidly for the better, joining with Bessy in ministering tothose who suffered with them, and making more than one eye bright astheir owners made a vow that no harm should befall them while they had ahand to raise. Dutch had long known now how causeless had been hisjealousy, and how bitterly his young wife had been persecuted; while shehad borne all in silence lest, as so important a stake was in question,she might offend the Cuban, and so injure not merely her husband'sprospects, but those of Mr Parkley, to whom they were both indebted somuch.
All was very quiet below, and one day had so strongly resembled anotherthat the prisoners watched them pass in a way that grew more and morehopeless, when they were startled by the loud rattle of the heavy chainwith which their door had been of late secured, and, followed by four ofhis partners in iniquity, Laure presented himself, gave a sharp lookround, and then in a hard commanding tone exclaimed:--
"Every man on deck!"
No opposition was made to his orders for the moment, and the captain,Mr Parkley, Meldon, and Wilson went up on deck, where they found Oakum,Rasp, and the sailors, but Dutch drew back as he saw Laure's eyes turnedupon Hester and her companion.
"Have him up, lads," exclaimed the Cuban, with flashing eyes; and Dutchwas seized and dragged to the door way, Laure drawing a pistol andholding it to his head until he was on deck.
"Now you," exclaimed Laure, brutally; and with tottering gait JohnStudwick obeyed him, but there was a look on his eyes as he passed theCuban that made him start uneasily, and then with a contemptuous laughhe turned it off and followed him on deck.
Dutch heaved a sigh of relief as he saw that Laure stayed with them, hadthem ranged along by the starboard bulwarks, and then addressed them.
"We sail from here directly," he said, "and as I don't want to be hardon men who have got to work for me, I am going to make you an offer, onwhich condition you can have your liberty on deck. I shall make thesame offer to you all, though I suppose there will be some fools amongyou who will not take it. What I propose is this, that such of you aslike to swear you will make no attempt to escape or fight against me cango about, except at night, when you will all be locked up again; but youhave to bear this in mind, that anyone who runs from
his promise will beshot like a dog, or pitched over to the sharks. Now then, captain, willyou help to navigate the ship?"
"No, sir," was the reply.
"Well, Mr Parkley, my disappointed speculator, what do you say?"
"I have nothing to say to such a scoundrel," replied Mr Parkley.
"You will stop on deck, doctor?"
"I shall stay with my friends, sir."
"So shall I," said Mr Wilson, stoutly.
"As you like. I needn't ask you, I suppose, my clever diver, but youhad better stay and get strong," said Laure, with a sneering laugh; "youwill have plenty to do by-and-by."
Dutch made no reply, but looked defiance.
"Just as you like," said the Cuban, grimly. "Now, you two sailors, stopand help work the ship, and you shall have four times the pay that thosefools were going to give you. I'll give you a heap of ingots apiece."
Lennie and Rolls were evidently tempted, but they looked at Sam Oakum,who was cutting off a piece of tobacco in the most nonchalant way.
"Well, why don't you speak?" cried Laure sharply.
"'Cause we're a-going to do same as him," growled Rolls, nodding atOakum.
"And what are you going to do, Sam Oakum?" cried Laure, who was gettingwroth at his plan for reducing his prisoners being foiled. "Come, myman, I'll make it well worth your while to turn over on my side. Thegame's up with those you have served, and if you hold out you will beforced to work with a pistol at your head; but if you come over to me,and help me well to navigate the ship, and get the treasure from acouple more galleons, I'll make you a rich man for life."
This was a painful moment for Dutch and his friends, for, instead ofindignantly refusing, the old sailor, whom they thought so staunch,hesitated, and turned and whispered to Rasp, who was by his side.
"Come, look sharp I've no time for fooling," cried Laure. "What do yousay?"
Oakum looked at his fellow-prisoners, then at Rasp and the two sailors,and gave his quid a fresh turn before speaking.
"S'pose I says, `No; I'll stick trumps to my old skipper?'" he growled.
"Well, then," said Laure, showing his teeth, "you'll have to work twiceas hard, you'll have three days given you to carry the schooner to thenext sunken wreck, and if you don't do it in that time I shall send abullet through your head."
"Thankye," said Oakum. "Well now, suppose as I says I'll fight for you,sail the schooner, and help get up some more treasure, what'll you giveme?"
"Oakum!" exclaimed Dutch, who had believed strongly in the old man'sfaith.
"You be blowed," growled Oakum. "I must take care o' myself. Now then,gov'nor, what do you say?"
"I'll give you a hundred of those silver ingots down below. That willmake you a rich man."
"Won't do," said Sam, stoutly. "I ain't going to cut my old skipper forno hundred on 'em. Make it two hundred and I'll take you."
"Oakum, if you have a spark of manly feeling in you!" cried Dutch.
"Ain't got a spark, Mister Dutch Pugh. It was put out that day of thefight."
"You scoundrel!" cried the captain.
"Same to you, captain," said Oakum, coolly. "Now then, gov'nor, what doyou say? Is it to be two hundred, or is the proposal off?"
"I'll give you the two hundred," said Laure, with flashing eyes, for heknew that Oakum would be invaluable to him, and very likely bring Rollsand Lennie over--the three being the best sailors in the ship.
"And 'bout grog?" said Oakum.
"As much as you like when the work's done," said Laure.
"And 'bacco?"
"Of course."
"And I ain't to be a common sailor?"
"No, under me you shall have command of the ship, as far as navigationgoes."
"Then I'm on," said Sam Oakum, giving his leg a slap, after a glance atthe armed men on one side and his captive superiors on the other.
There was a murmur of dissatisfaction from the captain and the others atthis secession, and Oakum turned upon them sharply.
"What are you a growling about?" he exclaimed, throwing off his formertones of respect. "You can't spect a man to stick to you always. Yourgame's up, his is on.--I'm going on his side. Why not? I'm a pore man,and I shall be a pore one if I don't make some tin this trip."
"You're quite right, my lad," said Laure, slapping him on the shoulder,and then turning a malignant look on his prisoners.
"One must know which way his bread's buttered," growled Sam. "Say, mylads," he continued, to Rolls and Lennie, "you can go down and be boxedup under hatches if you like, only if I was you I should say to the newskipper, `Give's twenty of them bars a piece, and we'll stick to you tothe end.'"
"I'll give you twenty ingots a piece, my lads," said Laure. "Will youcome over?"
"I'm a-going to do just the same as Master Oakum does," said Lennie.
"I'm on too," growled the other, with what sounded a good deal like acurse.
"That's good. Step over here then," said the Cuban. "You are freemen."
There was another angry murmur from the prisoners, as they saw theirparty lessened by three; but there was a greater trial in store forthem, for just then Oakum turned sharp round on old Rasp, who was takingsnuff viciously as he leaned back and looked on.
"I say, old beeswax," said Oakum, "now's your time to make your bargain.You're a fool if you stop there."
"For heaven's sake, Rasp, don't listen to him," cried Mr Parkley.
"What have you got to do with it?" snarled Rasp, angrily. "He saysright. Your game's up, and if we're a-going diving again, I may just aswell be paid for it as work for nowt."
"Come, then," said the Cuban, whose face flushed.
Rasp took a couple of steps forward, and the Cuban met him.
"What'll you make it if I come and dive for you and get all the rest ofthe treasure? You can't work it proper without me, so I tell you."
"I'll give you the same as Oakum," said the Cuban eagerly.
"Same as him!" snarled Rasp, "and him a common sailor. How are yougoing to get your treasure. I won't dive?"
"With this," said Laure, tapping his revolver.
"Not out o' me, you can't," said the old fellow, giving a poke at animaginary fire. "If I says as I won't dive, pistols couldn't make me--there."
"We shall see about that," said Laure, sharply.
"There, I don't want to fight," said Rasp, to Mr Parkley's greatastonishment, for he had looked upon the old diver as truthfulnessitself. "Here's the plunder, and there's no call to quarrel over it. Itell you what: say ten per cent, on all we get, and I'm your man."
"Ten per cent!" exclaimed Laure.
"Well, you'll save by it," said the old fellow. "Shan't I work theharder, and get all the more?"
"There's my hand upon it," said the Cuban; and they shook hands, whileMr Parkley uttered a low groan, and Dutch's eyes glittered with rage.
"That will do," said the Cuban, who could ill conceal his triumph. "Nowthen, down below with you, captain, and you my clever adventurers. Youhave played with me, you see, and your cards are all trumped. Now, takemy advice and wait patiently till you are wanted, for if you try anytricks against me, the stakes may mean your lives."
All had gone below except Dutch and Mr Parkley, who turned round andaddressed their renegade followers.
"As for you, Rasp," exclaimed Mr Parkley, "if anyone had sworn to meyou could be such a scoundrel, I would have called him a liar."
"You keep a civil tongue in your head," snarled Rasp. "I workedfaithful for you, and you made your money. Now it's my turn. You'llhave to work, and dive too--d'yer hear, and I'm going to make themoney."
The Cuban looked on curiously as these exchanges took place, and hisface flushed with pleasure as he saw Dutch turn upon Oakum, just as hewas cutting himself a fresh plug of tobacco with his great clasp knife.
"You cowardly old traitor," cried Dutch; and, unable to contain himself,he caught the old sailor by the throat and shook him violently.
This treat
ment seemed to rouse the old fellow into a state ofungovernable passion, for, giving way in the surprise of the moment, hewas driven back against the cover of the cabin hatch, but, recoveringhimself directly, with a savage oath he raised his knife and struckDutch Pugh a fearful blow full in the chest, and the young man staggeredback along the deck.