The Golden Rock Part 12

"Yes," said the Captain; "but not at present."

"You will be going on to Teneriffe?"

"Doubtless; but we require coal. You have a good supply?"

"Why not? But this small yacht would not require much for a cruise to the Canaries."

"About eight hundred tons, sir, is all we require."

"Eight hundred tons, sir? Very good. With that you could reach America, possibly Brazil. Is it not so?"

Captain Pardoe bit his lip, while the stout man turned with a smile and a shrug to his companions, one of whom strolled leisurely forward.

"Perhaps eight hundred tons is more than I require, especially as I could get more on my return," said the Captain quietly.

"I understand, sir; but that's a matter of business arrangement with a coal-merchant. You have left England recently?"

"Four days since."

"Four days--carambo--a quick pa.s.sage! Then, sir, perhaps you can inform me of the progress of the revolution in Brazil. Have the rebels been beaten?"

"I am afraid I can give you no information about Brazil."

"And you have not heard of the escape of a torpedo-catcher from the Thames, bound for Rio to help the rebels?"

Captain Pardoe looked astonished.

"You have surely been misinformed, senor. No vessel could get out of the Thames without the wish of the authorities."

"I a.s.sure you, my Captain, the impossible has happened, and, believe me, I first supposed your boat was that same vessel. Ha! ha!"

"Ha! ha! what a good joke, senor!"

"Is it not?" The officer who had walked forward returned, and whispered to the stout man. "But why, my Captain, do you carry a torpedo-tube and a heavy gun? Is it to shoot gulls? Ha! ha! I am afraid, Captain, you will not get your coal here, and that your visit may be prolonged to our satisfaction. You will find the island of Madeira lovely--most beautiful. In the meantime, I may introduce you to my friend Lieutenant Guilia Gobo, who will remain your guest with these soldiers."

The stout officer gave some order to his Lieutenant, and clambered down into his boat.

"My Captain," he said, with a pleased smile, "may I direct your attention to our powerful fort? We have there some heavy guns; oh, very formidable." He sat down chuckling, and rubbing his knees.

"The old boy is pleased with himself," remarked Webster to Frank, who, together, had been amused spectators of the scene. "He euchred the Captain without trouble--an easy matter enough, by the way, in the face of that little weapon forward. Look at the skipper: dissimulation is not his _role_."

Indeed, Captain Pardoe looked very black, as he confronted the Lieutenant and his four men.

"Well, sir," he said, "what is the meaning of your presence on board my s.h.i.+p?"

"I no speak the Ingleese," said the Lieutenant haughtily.

"But he understands it well enough," muttered Webster.

"You don't speak English; perhaps you will understand that I have enough coal to take me to Teneriffe, and I will leave in an hour. Up to that time you are welcome to the run of the s.h.i.+p, but you will find it agree ill with your uniform."

The Lieutenant turned sharply, and shouted after his superior officer.

Captain Pardoe knitted his black brows, and was about to speak again, but turned to walk off, when he was joined by Frank.

"I understood what he said, sir."

"So did I, Hume, but I don't fear the fort's guns. It is necessary to humour them, and with a little judicious palming we might win our object, but I have no genius for that work."

"May I try, sir?"

"Certainly, Hume, do what you like, for at the worst we can throw them overboard."

"Then, sir, set the hands to clean the s.h.i.+p, and send Webster ash.o.r.e to lay in a stock of vegetables, fruit, and fresh meat."

"Since when were you appointed purser, Mr Hume?"

"It will show them you do not mean to leave in a hurry, and we'll lull their suspicions."

The Captain issued his orders at once, and in a few minutes Webster, with the chief engineer, Mr Dixon, were being rowed ash.o.r.e, while half a dozen salts, with bare legs, were turning the hose on the grimy deck, and the stokers, black almost as sweeps, came on deck to hang over the bows and pull at their well-seasoned clay pipes.

Before Webster left, Hume had drawn his attention to two large barges laden with coal which were anch.o.r.ed to the left, and suggested that he should find out what coal they contained.

He next dived into the main cabin, where he found Miss Laura and Mr Commins looking at the island through a port-hole. This was the first time Commins had emerged from his cabin, and though he bore traces of severe illness he was very spruce and neat in his dress, markedly so in contrast with the weather-stained appearance of the others.

Their heads were very close together, and Commins had succeeded in making his companion laugh, a little circ.u.mstance which unduly nettled Hume.

He secured some cigars, a bottle of wine, and was hurriedly leaving the cabin, when Miss Laura asked him a question or two concerning their position.

"It is so annoying," she added, "that I dare not show myself on board, as the people here are sure to communicate with their friends in Rio."

"I hope our young friend will be discreet," said Commins, with irritating condescension in his manner. "Pray don't leave the cigar-box open, otherwise the sea air will spoil the contents; and I see you have selected the choicest of the 1880 brand."

"These are for the Portuguese Lieutenant," said Frank shortly.

"An officer! What business has he on board?"

"It appears they suspect us, and an officer, with four men, has been placed on guard."

"That means we have been seized," said Commins, turning to Miss Anstrade. "I advised you not to run into a Portuguese port; but you would be guided by your headstrong Captain."

"There is no cause for fear," replied Frank. "We hope to be off before morning with a full supply of fuel."

"Your hopes may be interesting to you, sir; but I, for my part, do not find them amusing."

"Enough!" interposed Laura with a frown; then, turning to Frank, she asked him if there really was any prospect of getting away.

"There is, madam, if you have one commodity on board."