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Updated: June 23, 2025
"Ring the bell like blazes!" shouted Barradas as soon as the last words of the service were uttered, and big Joe and a native sailor raced together to ring the ship's for'ard bell; then the two six-pounders on the main-deck were fired by Mosé, and the marriage ceremonies of Velo and his pretty Paní were over.
He was sitting up and barely able to speak, for in falling he had struck his head heavily. Rawlings gave him some brandy, which he drank, and then, supported by two seamen, he was taken below to recover. Barry then explained the cause of the disturbance to the captain and Barradas, both of whom said that he could have acted in no other way.
"What is the matter, Barradas? You look ill. Sit down." "Yes, I will sit down, for I have something to tell you something that I should have told you long ago. I will make a clean breast of it all before I go mad. Mr. Barry, your life is in danger. Rawlings and the Greek mean to murder you before the brig reaches Singapore." Barry drew an empty case up to the rude table and sat down.
His cheerful, ingenuous manner, combined with his smart seamanship, made the chief officer take a great liking to him, and even Barradas, gruff and surly and ever ready to deal out a blow, admitted that Velo was, next to the boatswain, the best sailorman of all the crew. On the second day out the strong westerly had failed, and was succeeded by light and variable airs, much to Rawlings' anger.
Tracey's people will tackle his niggers if they show fight. They are coming on board to-night. Are you clear, Barradas?" The Spaniard gave an affirmative gesture. "Quite clear, Mr. Barry. Trust me to settle the Greek. But be careful of Rawlings, he always carries a derringer and might put a bullet into you before you could get your hands on him." "Don't be afraid of that, Barradas.
Undoubtedly some of these men talked about the lagoon and discovery of the pearl shell, and were the primary cause of the misfortunes which were to befall us. "One morning Manuel Barradas came on board, and asked my husband if he was in want of a chief mate.
Let us be as merciful to them as we can; but for God's sake take them away from here quickly; their very presence poisons me. Barradas, come here . . . give me your hand. You have stood to me manfully. Now I must go on deck and see to Warner."
"I'd like to go ashore with you, Mr. Barry, if you don't mind, and stretch my legs along the beach." "Certainly," answered the mate coldly, as he hauled the boat alongside the ladder again. Barradas descended and took his seat beside him in silence.
As the days went by the chief officer spoke less and less to those living aft, though Barradas made several renewed efforts to break through his reserve; but finding that he met with no response he gave up all further attempts, and attached himself when off duty to Rawlings, the Greek, and Warner.
"There, good-bye once more, Velo. Don't work too hard, and, if a man-of-war comes, be sure you go on board and give the captain that letter. Come, Mrs. Tracey, we must be going. See, Barradas is already hove short, and waiting for us." Helping Mrs. Tracey into the whaleboat, Barry followed, and grasped the long steer-oar. "Give it to her, men, there's the brig breaking her heart to get away."
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