Amyas hurried forward to get the sails set.As he went down the poop-ladder, there was some one sitting on the lowest step.
"Who is here--wounded?"
"I am not wounded," said a woman's voice, low, and stifled with sobs.
It was Ayacanora.She rose, and let him pass.He saw that her face was bright with tears; but he hurried on, nevertheless.
"Perhaps I did speak a little hastily to her, considering she saved my life; but what a brimstone it is! Mary Ambree in a dark skin!
Now then, lads! Get the Santa Fe gold up out of the canoes, and then we will put her head to the north-east, and away for Old England.Mr.Brimblecombe! don't say that Eastward-ho don't bring luck this time."It was impossible, till morning dawned, either to get matters into any order, or to overhaul the prize they had taken; and many of the men were so much exhausted that they fell fast asleep on the deck ere the surgeon had time to dress their wounds.However, Amyas contrived, when once the ship was leaping merrily, close-hauled against a fresh land-breeze, to count his little flock, and found out of the forty-four but six seriously wounded, and none killed.
However, their working numbers were now reduced to thirty-eight, beside the four negroes, a scanty crew enough to take home such a ship to England.
After awhile, up came Jack Brimblecombe on deck, a bottle in his hand.
"Lads, a prize!"
"Well, we know that already."
"Nay, but--look hither, and laid in ice, too, as I live, the luxurious dogs! But I had to fight for it, I had.For when I went down into the state cabin, after I had seen to the wounded; whom should I find loose but that Indian lass, who had just unbound the fellow you caught--""Ah! those two, I believe, were going to murder the old man in the hammock, if we had not come in the nick of time.What have you done with them?""Why, the Spaniard ran when he saw me, and got into a cabin; but the woman, instead of running, came at me with a knife, and chased me round the table like a very cat-a-mountain.So I ducked under the old man's hammock, and out into the gallery; and when I thought the coast was clear, back again I came, and stumbled over this.So I just picked it up, and ran on deck with my tail between my legs, for I expected verily to have the black woman's knife between my ribs out of some dark corner.""Well done, Jack! Let's have the wine, nevertheless, and then down to set a guard on the cabin doors for fear of plundering.""Better go down, and see that nothing is thrown overboard by Spaniards.As for plundering, I will settle that."And Amyas walked forward among the men.
"Muster the men, boatswain, and count them.""All here, sir, but the six poor fellows who are laid forward.""Now, my men," said Amyas, "for three years you and I have wandered on the face of the earth, seeking our fortune, and we have found it at last, thanks be to God! Now, what was our promise and vow which we made to God beneath the tree of Guayra, if He should grant us good fortune, and bring us home again with a prize? Was it not, that the dead should share with the living; and that every man's portion, if he fell, should go to his widow or his orphans, or if he had none, to his parents?""It was, sir," said Yeo, "and I trust that the Lord will give these men grace to keep their vow.They have seen enough of His providences by this time to fear Him.""I doubt them not; but I remind them of it.The Lord has put into our hands a rich prize; and what with the gold which we have already, we are well paid for all our labors.Let us thank Him with fervent hearts as soon as the sun rises; and in the meanwhile, remember all, that whosoever plunders on his private account, robs not the adventurers merely, but the orphan and the widow, which is to rob God; and makes himself partaker of Achan's curse, who hid the wedge of gold, and brought down God's anger on the whole army of Israel.For me, lest you should think me covetous, I could claim my brother's share; but I hereby give it up freely into the common stock, for the use of the whole ship's crew, who have stood by me through weal and woe, as men never stood before, as Ibelieve, by any captain.So, now to prayers, lads, and then to eat our breakfast."So, to the Spaniards' surprise (who most of them believed that the English were atheists), to prayers they went.
After which Brimblecombe contrived to inspire the black cook and the Portuguese steward with such energy that, by seven o'clock, the latter worthy appeared on deck, and, with profound reverences, announced to "The most excellent and heroical Senor Adelantado Captain Englishman," that breakfast was ready in the state-cabin.
"You will do us the honor of accompanying us as our guest, sir, or our host, if you prefer the title," said Amyas to the commandant, who stood by.
"Pardon, senor: but honor forbids me to eat with one who has offered to me the indelible insult of bonds.""Oh!" said Amyas, taking off his hat, "then pray accept on the spot my humble apologies for all which has passed, and my assurances that the indignities which you have unfortunately endured, were owing altogether to the necessities of war, and not to any wish to hurt the feelings of so valiant a soldier and gentleman.""It is enough, senor," said the commandant, bowing and shrugging his shoulders--for, indeed, he too was very hungry; while Cary whispered to Amyas--"You will make a courtier, yet, old lad.""I am not in jesting humor, Will: my mind sadly misgives me that we shall hear black news, and have, perhaps, to do a black deed yet, on board here.Senor, I follow you."So they went down, and found the bishop, who was by this time unbound, seated in a corner of the cabin, his hands fallen on his knees, his eyes staring on vacancy, while the two priests stood as close against the wall as they could squeeze themselves, keeping up a ceaseless mutter of prayers.
