Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 20, 2025
I caught her glance, but there was no recognition in it; not by the flicker of an eyelid did she betray surprise, and yet in some mysterious manner a flash of intelligence passed between us. It was all instantaneous for her gaze seemed to concentrate on Estada as though she knew him as leader. "You sent for me? For what?" she asked, her Spanish clear and well chosen.
If I pledge you my word, Senor, am I to enjoy the freedom of this cabin and the deck?" Estada looked at us, a shade of doubt in his eyes. I made no sign, but Manuel nodded. "Why not?" he asked in his harsh croak of a voice. "So long as we be at sea? What harm can the girl do?" "Perhaps none; I will take a half chance, at least. You shall have the freedom of the cabin.
With myself quartered aft, and eating in the cabin, we were bound to meet sooner or later; and the girl must previously be warned of my presence aboard, or in her first surprise at the recognition, I should be instantly betrayed. Nothing would escape Estada, and the slightest evidence that we two had formerly met, would awaken his suspicion.
The port was closed, but through the thick glass sufficient light found entrance to reveal the interior. The chair before the table was overturned, and there were papers scattered about the deck. Estada lay in his bunk, with one leg dangling outside, and his head crooked against the side wall.
"But," I interposed, "in that case what would the crew do?" "Accept Estada, no doubt; at least the cut-throats would be with him, for he is of their sort. All they care for is blood and booty.
"And if he lives I am to be at his disposal?" "He is the chief here; his will is law aboard." "And if he should die?" Estada shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "Who knows!" Her lips tightened as though to hold back a cry while one hand pressed to the open door steadied her. The cheeks were no longer flushed, and there was a look in the searching eyes I did not like to see.
Estada hesitated, as though afraid to further question his chief, yet finally, in spite of this fear, the query broke from his lips. "And you, Senor the girl?" "What know you of any girl?" "That there was one on the deck of the sloop an English beauty. It was when you turned to greet her that you gave me the signal. I merely thought that perhaps "
Moreover they are accustomed to taking orders, and doing what they are told. I believe I can handle them, with what help I have. But the mulatto is different. He belongs with the worst element on board, and only joined us from fear of being killed just as Estada was. He has no heart in this job, and would accept any chance to square himself with those cut-throats below.
"Yes; this is a chance which I happen to know he has long been waiting for. The only question is, has he the nerve to act. I doubt if he has alone, but LeVere is with him, and that half-breed would cut the throat of his best friend. You understand? the death of Sanchez would make Estada chief. The two men hate each other why not? There was a plan before which failed; this time it may not fail."
I had believed he was; I had staked all on his death as a certainty. But instead, the man was lying there in the boat, helpless at present, sorely wounded perhaps, yet still alive. Estada even said he would surely recover. And that other body? That of Dorothy Fairfax, without doubt, yet certainly not lifeless.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking