Текст книги "Doctor Syn on the High Seas"

Автор книги: Russell Thorndike

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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

order. They are grumbling that he got them aboard with fine promises,

when signing came, their pay was cut down to the minimum.”

Syn nodded. “Go back to your ship and tell them that they have a good

adventurous friend in me. I will force Black Nick to reconsider his

terms with the crew. Every man aboard shall have a more generous wage,

and in addition, a share in the profits. You may tell them if there is

one man that Black Nick fears, it is Captain Clegg, who sails with them

and knows how to respect good sailors. Up to this moment, he has had

more from me and I from him, but now I will turn the tables. You and I

will stand together on this voyage, and the men will stand behind us. Go

and tell them so. Should Black Nick not agree to my terms—and I have

that over him to force his hand—I will compel him to sell the ship to

me. I can buy it as his price. On the other hand, I think he will sell

it at mine. Within two hours, we will be aboard and shaking out the

canvas.”

After seeing Syn and Mipps ride off towards the Governor’s, the young

Spanish officer, delighted at not having to return to the ship with

tales of more delay, but rather with a fine sop to throw to his

discontented men, escort ed the baggage to his waiting boat, and was

pulled off to the ship.

Meanwhile, Syn and Mipps rode out of the town with a show of great

haste. At last, safely hidden beneath the trees of a grassy-bridle path,

Syn drew the rein.

“That ride has done us good,” he laughed. “But I think we will not

approach the Governor’s House any nearer, though, it needs all of my

patience not to ride there in hot haste and finish with Black Nick. I am

not in the mind, however, to put him out of his misery so soon. We can

torture him better by waiting. He has had a bad fright this morning over

our rooms. He will get a worse shaking at his soul, before the day is

out. Let me see, we have something under two hours before boarding our

ship, and I have some work to do at the inn before then.”

“Our ship?” asked the bewildered Mipps.

Syn laughed. “You have ever the taste for piracy, my good Mipps.

Well, here I find Black Nick obliging enough to build us a ship for that

purpose. Between us, we managed to take Black Satan’s Sulphur Pit, and

with some luck and skill, we’ll now take Black Nick’s St. Nicholas.”

After a gentle ride to kill time required to an imagined interview at

the Governor’s House, they galloped back into town, that they horses

should appear in a fine lather. Re-entering the inn, Syn called for pen

and paper, and in the privacy of his room, settled down to writing

carefully, while Mipps sat a smoking and watching.

Presently Syn remarked, “‘Tis a good thing remembering what a man’s

handwriting is like. I r ecollect Black Nick’s very well. This paper we

may not need at all, but it is best to be prepared. I wish you to sign

your name here

– 100 -

as witness, beneath this signature of the Governor’s clerk. Black Nick

has already put his name, as you see.”

Mipps grinned and signed, then added, “How do you know there’s a

Governor’s clerk?”

“Because the Governor is Spanish and therefore lazy. Of course, he

would have a clerk. This document makes it quite clear that Black Nick

has made voer his ship to me. Very kind, I swear. He states, too, that I

have paid for it in full. Now, let us take a boat and a closer look at

the St. Nicholas.”

Saying which, Syn placed the paper in his pocket, let the way out on

to the quay and engaged a boat. It was then, mid -afternoon with a fine

breeze blowing.

“Just the weather for sailing, and like old times, Master Carpenter,”

said Syn cheerfully. “She is a fine ship by the looks of her. We must

give her designer his due. She seems fit to withstand heavy weather, in

that she could cut through it. A fine length of mast, too, all three of

them. And a fine stretch of canvas she can carry. I long to stretch my

sea legs on her decks. I think she’ll ride very prettily, Mister Mipps.”

“I think so, too, sir,” replied Mipps, looking up with great

admiration at the black hull brightened with brass cannon. “A frigate of

fifty guns, I take her.”

“Aye, and she’s capable of a lot,” added Syn. “Heavy work; light

work; quick work.”

“And dirty work,” grinned Mipps.

Grasping the rope-ladder alongside from the tossing boat, Syn,

followed by Mipps, climbed aboard, and was received at the gangway by

Tarragona.

“Ship is ready for sea?” asked Syn.

“All ready, Captain Clegg,” the officer answered.

“Then pipe all hands on deck. I have something to say to the men for

their advantage,” and Syn, swaggering to the companion ladder, climbed

up to the poop-deck and leaned upon the rail.

Meanwhile from rigging and holds, the crew swarmed on to the main deck beneath him and stood s taring at the magnificent stranger who had

boasted to be their friend.

“All on deck, sir,” said an officer.

“All on deck, sir,” repeated Tarragona.

“Then bring me the ships’ sailing papers,” ordered Syn.

Tarragona brought him the papers from his cabin under the poop. Under

the eyes of the crew, Syn unfolded them, read them, and frowned. Then,

folding them again, he handed them to Mipps, who stood on duty beside

him and produced the document which he had forged at the inn. This he

read through carefully and then let it trail over the rail, from his

hand so that all could see.

“My lads,” he said, “I have had a serious difference, over this

voyage, with Black Nick. The unfair way in which he has kept you aboard,

while he drinks with the Governor infuriated me. Although he has engaged

a pirate crew, he had no intention of hoisting the black flag. Well, we

are going to hoist it now, and if Black Nick thinks we are going to

escort treasure-ships tamely to Spain, he is mighty mistaken. That

treasure will be more valuable to us, when we lock our own share in our

own seachests. Though I have taken over the ship from him, he still

expects me to wait for him so that he and his family may have a free

passage to Havana. His chests are aboard, but we must wa it till it

pleases him to finish his drunken bout with the Governor. We’ll have

look at these chests. They shall be your first prize. Now, who is for

joining under new articles better than ever? I promise you that if any

refuse, he is at

– 101 -

liberty to swim for the harbour before we sail, and no harm done. I take

it none of you are pirates for the fun of the thing, though I promise

you, many a merry time when duty’s done. No, like myself, you are

pirates in order to get rich quickly. Hard work and dangers, and then

money to spend ashore like gentlemen. Now, I know that I am the man for

you, and you the men for me. It was I, Captain Clegg, who killed Black

Satan, the notorious but hated Negro captain, in fair fight. With the

help of this gallent sea -dog by my side, my master carpenter, I captured

his pirate vessel, the Sulphur Pit, and filled her with the treasures

from our prizes. As then, I promise you that I’ll be first to board any

ship we think is worth the t aking, and, if you wish, I’ll prove my

swordsmanship against any three, you care to match against me. But why

spill our blood when we want other’s treasure? Now, let’s serve out

double grog, and then to sea. What say you?

At this the whole crew fell into cheering, and when a great barrel of

rum was tapped, their enthusiasm knew no bounds.

Drinking as heavily as any, Syn then shouted, “Bring tools to pry

open Black Nick’s chests. And now, my lads, though he never meant to

hoist it, no doubt there’s a Jolly Roger in the flag locker? If so,

let’s hoist it to show our true colours and our teeth.”

One of the crew cried out that they had one below which they had

planned to hoist if Black Nick wish it or not.

“Fetch it,” cried Syn heartily. “You’ll have no cause to mutiny now.”

At once, a great black flag was produced by the crew, with a white

skull-and-crossbones painted on it.

“Splendid!” cried Syn. “Mister Tarragona, since our course is nor’

east, we shall pass in sight of the Governor’s House, where Black Nick

drinks and laughs at our waiting for him. Keep your eyes skinned, sir,

and when we are abreast of it, strike the St. Nicholas and run up that

Jolly Roger. At the same time, let ‘em have a Governor’s salute. Aye, a

broadside of the lee -guns, and see there’s shot in ‘em. Now, my lads,

put a deck stopper on the cable, and then cut the cable, abaft it. Hoist

the jib and when I sing out, stand by the slip. Shake a leg, my jolly

dogs. Topsail halyards. Stand by to slip. Slip the cable. Hoist away .”

Then he broke into his chanty in a ringing voice:

“Oh, here’s to the feet what have walked the plank,

Yo-ho for the dead man’s trottle,

And here’s to the corpses afloat in the tank,

And the dead man’s teeth in the bottle.”

With the running of ropes, the rattle of running blocks, the crack of

filling canvas, and with the straining of every plank, the St. Nicholas

leapt through the waves in obedience to her new master.

Chapter 16

The Red-Beared Planter

In the Governor’s House, His Spanish Excellence and his guests, Black

Nick and a great giant, with a luxuriant red beard of Scottish descent,

he boasted, called McCallum at that time, played cards and drank. Black

Nick’s wife, the beautiful Imogene Almago, was forced to make the

fourth, but since the gentlemen were drunk, she came in for the little

balance in playing carelessly. Her attention was listless for the cards,

but riveted upon a

– 102 -

handsome, slim boy who slept upon a sofa. She was disgusted with these

so-called gentlemen, when the very cards she had to handle were wet with

red wine.

Suddenly a thunderous crash of thunder shook the house, bringing them

all to their feet, and partly sobering the men.

The screaming of the Governor’s slaves brought them out upon the

balcony facing the sea. There they saw the white seawall of the garden

was shattered. The Governor’s pleasure swift ship was passing close

inshore.

“It is my ship,” cried Black Nick. “See the flag, St. Nichola s.”

“They are hauling it down,” said the red-beareded planter.

“And running up the Black Flag. Pirates!” shouted the Governor.

“Oh God, Nicholas,” sobbed Imogene. “It is Christopher. I know it.”

“Nonsense!” replied Nicholas. “How could it be?”

But the proof was soon to come, for an empty treasure -chest was

thrown overboard, and across the water they heard a ringing voice cry

out in Spanish, “As for these things, heave ‘em overboard and let ‘em

float ashore to her. I’ll have no petticoats aboard my ship.”

They saw a magnificent figure in scarlet, stooping over another chest

upon the high poop-deck, and hurling garments over the bulwarks into the

sea. The tide was running towards shore, and as the ship under full sail

disappeared around the h ead, laces, satins, velvets and rich brocades

came floating to the beach. A little boy was highly delighted in

retrieving them. “Look, Mother, another of your dresses. I remember this

one well. And look, her it yet one more of your mantillas.”

That nigh t, Black Nick flet in panic, leaving his wife and son behind

in a convent, promising the Lady Mother large sums of money on his

return. He slipped aboard a pirate vessel in which he was interested,

and sailed for the North American coast. He abandoned all hope of

recovering the St. Nicholas, and only thought of escaping from Doctor

Syn.

The red-bearded planter did not take things so tamely. Forseeing the

danger of losing his treasure ships, that were awaiting the St.

Nicholas, and he arrived to hear sad news. He found the captain of the

Santa Mariana sick in his cabin and with a fine tale to tell. “We were

signaled by the St. Nicholas to put to sea as arranged. When, out of

sight of land, we two captains were signaled to come aboard the St.

Nicholas. The Captain Clegg, who had command, ordered us to fetch our

treasure -chests and hand them over to his keeping, for, as he said,

should we fall in with enemy ships, he could outsail them and save the

treasure -chests for the King of Spain. I was glad to do this, and to be

relieved thus of my responsibility, but my colleague thought otherwise,

and refused to give over his charge. Captain Clegg raged out this, but

eventually ordered the voyage to proceed. About an hour later, the St.

Nicholas dropped astern, for she had been sailing between us. She then

came up again rapidly upon the lee side of the Celesta, and without

warning, opened a broadside which completely crippled her. I could not

retaliate, since my colleague was between us, sheltering the traitor, so

I turned and ran for the Gulf, thus at least saving my men and your

ship. As we tacked away, we saw Clegg’s men board the Celesta, and after

taking away her treasure to boats, they deliberately sank her. I think

that evey man aboard the unfortunate vessel peri shed.”

“I’ll have this Clegg hanged as a pirate, if I spend all my fortune

in doing it.” cried the Planter. “He will not hide from me.”

But Clegg had no intention of hiding. After robbing and sinking three

fat merchant ships bound for Cuba, he sailed back to Santiago, sank a

ship, in the

– 103 -

harbour mouth in passing, and then as a warning once more, shattered the

garden wall of the Governor’s house which was being rebuilt. He then

rowed ashore and impudently demanded twenty thousand pieces of gold, or

he vowed he’d destroy the town. He also ordered the Governor to hand

over Black Nick to his keeping.

The Governor raised the money by the next day, but assured Clegg that

Black Nick had gone—with the planter, he thought—and was no doubt in

Havana. So with the money in his hold, Clegg sailed for Havana.

After sending a broadside into the astonished and terrified town, he

once more made his impudent demand for payment, threating to destroy the

town and shipping, if the money was not forthcoming within six hours.

Now, McCallum, the planter, being one of the richest men in all

Havana, was summoned to the Citadel for consultation with the Governor.

He was no coward, and had not the same dread for Clegg as Nicholas. He

was not the type to run away to save his skin. His fury against Clegg

added to his bravery, and he now saw a heaven-sent chance for settling

his score. “We will collect this money, and I will carry it aboard,” he

told the Governor. “I will then lure him to my house on the plantation,

under the pretext of delivering Black Nick into his hands. I will tell

him of his enemy’s fear of him, and the thought of suddenly meeting him

and settling of his account will be too good to resist. He will come,

and as we dine, we will have a strong guard of military to arrest him.

Then we will demand full payment, and hang the lot of the rascals after

it is paid.”

They discussed the plan in detail, and that evening, McCallum was

rowed aboard the St. Nicholas.

As the boat swung beneath the loft hull, he saw that the name of it

was being changed. Painters were busily at work on slug rigging. As he

read the new name, he chuckled to himself. “This Clegg is a devilish

rascal. He thinks things out well. And s o do I. It takes a Scot to beat

an Englishman. He’ll find I am the greater devil yet.”

And Syn had thought things out well, for the name of the ship was now

the Imogene.

Chapter 17

Clegg’s Imogene

Having paid over the ransom for the town in Clegg ’s cabin on the

Imogene, McCallum came straight to the point with the most villanious

frankness. He told Clegg, quite engagingly, that he had no love for

Black Nick, and would give a lot to see him badly frightened before

being killed. He then asked casually: “How do you propose killing him?”

Syn answered: “I shall force him to utter my name, Clegg. It is the

sound a man will make when he is strangled. And I think, I shall kill

him with my bare hands. Then no dobut, I shall dig out his heart with

that harpoon upon the cabin wall behind you.”

“You must hate the man vastly to be so bloodthirsty,” laughed the

planter.

“I hate him enough,” replied Syn.

The next day, according to their arrangement, Syn was rowed ashore to

the plantation beach. The planter was there to meet him, and the boat’s

crew were left guarding the boat, for, as the planter pointed out,

should too many men appear, Black Nick would become suspicious.

– 104 -

Now, Clegg’s crew had told him that they feared a trap would be set

for their captain, and asked permission to stand by to rescue him.

Knowing that McCallum could be no friend to him, though he hated Black

Nick the worse, Syn was alert for any treachery, but seeing, in the air

an opportunity to impress his men with his utter disregard for danger,

and somehow trusting in his own destiny, which always whispered to him

that he would eventually kill Nicholas, he did nto care, but walked

gaily with M cCallum through the woods to the house. This was a large

wooden bungalow, built high upon a slope, the back of which afforded a

dry store for cattle fodder. It was a hot day, and by the time they

entered the front veranda, they were ready for food and drin k. But Syn

resolved that there would be no food or drink for him in that house.

Black Nick’s capture was what he had come for, and that would be more

than meat and wine. He was chancing no drugging from McCallum’s

hospitality. They entered a spacious living-room, with table laid for

three. “That is Black Nick’s usual seat,” said the host. “If you sit

there opposite with your back to the door, he will not see you in that

high-backed chair. The lazy devil is always late, so we will sit down

now, and I will send a servant to tell him dinner is served. Then you

may do what you like. You may prefer to kill a man before or after

dinner. I suggest after, for personally I am hungry. So long as you do

kill him, if’s of no odds to me.”

“I shall be obliged if you se nd for him,” said Syn, taking his seat

while McCallum ordered one of the servants to fetch Black Nick.

Syn heard the door open behind him, and a heavy stop care round the

table. Although he was alert to treachery, Syn never doubted but that

this was Black Nick, and he was something astonished to see confronting

him a Spanish Officer fully armed. “I arrest you, sir, in the name of

the Governor of Havana for piracy on the high seas. Come in, there.”

A tramp of feet behind him made Syn glance quickly be hind him to see

a file of guards.

McCallum laughed. “It is quite true, Captain Clegg, that Black Nick

is afraid of you. So much, that he ran away to sea s a pirate, rather

than fight you to recover his ship which you stole so cleverly. But I am

a man of different kidney. You do not steal my ships and treasure and go

scott free. Now, yo9u shall hang on the Havana docks.”

“So the Governor of Santiago lied to me when he said that Black Nick

was with you in Havana,” said Syn calmly.

“Of course he did,” laughed the planter. “May not a Governor lie to a

thief?”

“So much the worse for the Governor of Santiago,” replied Syn.

“Come, sir, said the officer. “My men wait to escort you to the

Town.”

“You had best hand over your sword,” said the planter. “And let us

get clear before his men know of this and attempt a rescue.”

Syn rose and drew his sword, but had no intention of handing it, to

the officer. The twelve guards behind him were cavalry men with drawn

sabres. As he was quickly weighing up his chances, ne noticed blue smoke

curling along between the floor-boards. He also heard an ominous

crackling of burning wood, and felt a strange heat under his soles. “I

can assure you that my men will rescue me,” he said. “Oh, yes. Alive or

dead. If dead, G od help your town. They will spare nothing.”

“That is for us to prevent,” replied the officer haughtily.

As he spoke, he staggered back for a flame leapt up through the bloor

and caught the table -cloth, while screams of “Fire” echoed through the

house. But that was not so terrifying as the half-naked red figure,

which dashed into the

– 105 -

room and with a double swing of a tomahawk, severed the necks of the two

soldiers nearest to Syn, and then leapt upon the table, in the midst of

the flames crying out “Shuhshuhgah”.

“Shuhshuhgah,” echoed Syn with a mighty laugh, as he drove his sword

through the neck of another soldier. “I scalp you. You good enough. You

officer,” cried the Redskin, swinging a blow at the captain of the

Guard.

The planter dashed for the safety of the veranda, and jumping the

rails to the grass below, ran for the woods, while Syn drove the

frightened soldiers before him with his sword. And then, with a shout,

the faithful Mipps, having disregarded orders, rushed through the smoke

at the head of his boat’s crew.

The soldiers broke and ran with the pirates after them, and as Syn

rushed for the veranda, he saw Shuhshuhgah in the blinding smoke calmly

scalping the dead officer. Before he could finish this operation, Syn

had dragged him clear of the burning house.

“I fired the house,” said the Redskin. “Heard that officer talk last

night about the trap for you. Came up to join you. Saw fodder under

foot. Fired it. Easy.”

“Back to the boats, and we’ll talk when on ship,” said Syn.

That night the pirates sacked Havana, seized the Governor and hanged

him on the docks where he planned to hang Clegg. They then set sail for

Santiago, “for I’ll have no Governor of a mere town lying to me, ” cried

Clegg. So, was Santiago sacked and another Governor hanged.

A suitable island was found for their treasures to be hidden in, and

for the careening of the Imogene, and from his secret base they sailed

and sailed again, taking their toll of ship after ship. Even pirate

ships were not secure from them. Indeed, the crew noted that their

Captain attacked these with the greater spirit, for on one of them he

always hoped to meet with Nicholas.