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"Why Porto Grande, of course," I admitted heartily. "It is not a long voyage, and if we bring the boat in safely the treasure is ours. The men will understand what that means a handful of gold for each of them and a run ashore. Why, LeVere, they will make more apiece than by looting a half dozen ships, and with no fighting. It will be a fortune for you and me."
This ship is full of devils ready enough to do such a job; but I could not name the one who did do it. I know of no cause. I have heard nothing." "I believe you, LeVere," I said, when his voice ceased, yet unwilling even then to trust him fully. "All that rules here is strength. Murder is but a weapon, and hate struck this blow." "What can we do, Senor?" "Do! we must talk that over first.
Forward of the single mast was stowed the chest, which Travers' slaves had borne with such care up the bluff; while in the open space between the helmsman and the two sailors were stretched two motionless bodies. LeVere, gripping a stay-rope, and leaning well out, hailed in Spanish. "Ahoy, the boat there is not too much sea? You can make it?"
I'll attend to that now, and then see to the proper securing of Sanchez." "Shall I remain here?" "You told the man Cole what you heard?" "Yes, I explained everything to him before I came on deck." "Then you are not needed in the cabin. He is a reliable man. Remain here with LeVere while I go forward, and watch that he does not attempt to go below."
That's sensible, isn't it?" Haines growled something, inaudible to me, but evidently accepted as an assent, and LeVere, still in no good humor from the questioning, wheeled sharply about to go forward. This movement placed him face to face with me. "What are you loafing here for?" he burst forth, no doubt glad to thus vent his anger on someone. "Who the hell are you?"
It was a relief to get outside, even into that dismal cabin, beyond view of Estada's dead face. The vessel rolled considerably, and LeVere, who had evidently lost his nerve, sank into a chair as though no strength remained in him. "You fear an uprising, a mutiny?" I questioned, "when this is reported?" "What will prevent?" he asked.
"I think so, sir Mister LeVere explained that to me." "Oh, he did? Well, he must have failed to make clear the fact that we enforce discipline aboard. The next time you neglect to jump at an order, you are going to taste the cat. You understand me? You speak Spanish?" "Yes, sir; I lived two years in Cuba." "I see; well now, do you happen to have any idea who I am?"
Discipline on board must have been somewhat lax, or else Haines held some minor official position which gave him unusual privilege, for, while the others instantly separated to carry out these orders, he remained motionless, confronting the man I supposed to be the mulatto, LeVere. My own position was such I could not press past the two without attracting attention.
"Here," answered Watkins himself in a hoarse whisper. "The boats are ready." "Afloat?" "Yes, sir. The one forward has pushed off loaded. The after-boat is alongside. There is such a hell of a fog, sir, yer can't see two fathoms from the ship." "All the better for us; is the girl in the boat?" "Safe, sir; but LeVere ain't." "What do you mean? That he has got away?
As I touched his hand, at Estada's brief introduction, it was as if I fingered a snake, and expected to be greeted with a kiss. Gunsaules hovered about an open door leading forward, and the table had been set for four. As I knew LeVere had eaten alone, before coming to my relief, the only conclusion was that the Portuguese intended that we be joined by the prisoner.
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