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Updated: June 17, 2025
The Good Intent dropped anchor off the jetty running out from the docks north of the fort. Captain Barker had already given orders that no shore leave was to be allowed to the crew, and as soon as he had stepped into the longboat, accompanied by Diggle, the men's discontent broke forth in angry imprecations, which Mr. Toley wisely affected not to hear.
Toley was cheering his men to repel the assault at the back of the house: at his side Bulger was bellowing like a bull of Bashan. But all this was confused noise to him, for his attention was wholly occupied with his old enemy.
"I am to say that he expects you and the men at Custom House Quay next Wednesday morning, high tide at five o'clock." Mr. Toley lifted the tankard at his left hand, drained it, smacked his lips, then said in a hollow voice: "Bulger, Custom House Quay, Wednesday morning, five o'clock."
"Bulger, see to the gentleman." "Ay, ay, sir. "Come aboard, matey." He made a place for Desmond at his side on the bench, and called to Mother Wiggs to bring a mug for the gentleman. Meanwhile, Mr. Toley and his companion had each taken a fowling piece and gone away with the landlord. Bulger winked at his companions, and when the sportsmen were out of earshot he broke into a guffaw.
The crew's hesitation was but momentary; under Toley's sad gaze they sullenly flung down their weapons and went forward. Only then did the captain find speech. But it was to utter a fearful curse, ending with the name: "Diggle." Leaving Mr. Toley to bring the Good Intent up to Calcutta, Desmond hurried back in advance and remained in the town just long enough to inform Mr.
"What do you make of 'em?" he shouted. The mate shut up the telescope and came leisurely down. "I count fifteen in all, sir." "I don't care how many. What are they?" "I calculate they're grabs and gallivats, sir." The captain gave a hoarse chuckle. "By thunder, then, we'll soon turn the tables! Angria's gallivats eh, Mr. Toley? We'll make a haul yet." But Captain Barker was to be disappointed.
The other was a shorter man, snub-nosed, big-mouthed; one eye was blue, the other green, and they looked in contrary directions. His hat was tilted forward, resting on two bony prominences above his eyebrows. "Well?" said Mr. Toley, the man of melancholy countenance. "I have a message from Captain Barker," said Desmond.
The Armenian's property had evidently been left under guard in the grove, and was doubtless, by this time, far away, in the possession of one or other of Diggle's runagate followers. At nightfall the party set off. Closed chairs had been provided for the ladies, and these were carried in the midst, Bulger on one side, Toley on the other, and Desmond behind.
Two days ago 'twas at Chandernagore, where the Good Intent's been laid up for a matter a' weeks the captain he went an' forgot hisself, sir; clean forgot hisself, an' lifted his hand to Mr. Toley; ay, hit him, sir. Wunst it was, sir, on'y wunst; then 'twas Mr. Toley his turn. Ah, an' I warrant Captain Barker's in his bunk today.
"I may be wrong," said Bulger to Desmond, "but I don't believe kedgin' was ever done so far from harbor afore. I allers thought there was something in that long head of Mr. Toley, though, to be sure, there en't no call for him to pull a long face, too." An hour passed after the loading had been stopped. All on board the Good Intent remained silent, speaking, if they spoke at all, in whispers.
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