And now they had arrived. Under foresail alone, and under the blanket of a single hill which made the tiny island, the sloop slipped gently up to a gap in the line of moored vessels, and the anchor plunged into the clear green water.
'Nicely done, Captain,' Parke cried, and slapped him on the shoulder. 'I'm for the shore. Look there, man, do I not know that vessel?'
Kit followed his gaze through the forest of masts. 'None I recognize.'
'A Jamestown schooner, by God. I'll across and pass the time of day. And maybe take a glass of this killdevil which clouds a man's brain. You'll accompany me?'
'I think I had best be about my duties,' Kit said. 'We are to sail at dusk again, and I suspect this is our bondman now.'
A lugger approached under shortened sail; her decks were crowded with bales and boxes, and with people as well.
'Then I'll leave you to it,' Parke said. 'If you will permit me the use of your jolly boat.'
'Gladly,' Kit said. 'But be sure you are back by five of the clock.' He went to the rail, hailed the boat which was bringing up alongside. 'Do you speak English?'
'But of course, Captain,' said the man on the tiller, a large, fair, red-faced fellow. 'You are new to us.'
'I master the Bonaventure, sir,' Kit said. 'And I have the necessary papers in my cabin.'
'I never doubted that.' The Dutchman swung himself up the shrouds. 'Pieter Lenzing, at your service, Captain.'
'Christopher Hilton.'
'Hilton,' Lenzing mused. 'Hilton. I have heard the name.' 'My grandfather was Governor of Tortuga.' 'And before that I have a notion he sailed with Piet Heyn.'
Lenzing squeezed Kit's hand. 'I had not supposed that such a privilege could ever be mine, Captain Hilton. We'll to your cabin, if I may. But I can give the order to start loading now.' 'Then do so,' Kit agreed.
'And may Meinheer Christianssen come on board?' Kit frowned. 'You have the advantage of me, Meinheer.' 'Dag Christianssen,' Lenzing explained. 'He has spent a week here, purchasing goods, and now wishes to return home.' 'To St John's?'
'That is his home, certainly. But of course, you are new to Antigua. Dag owns the central warehouse there.' Lenzing laid his finger alongside his nose. 'A Quaker, you understand, Captain, like so many of the Danes who come to these islands. But there are advantages ...'
Kit returned to the rail, looked down at the man and the woman. Dag Christianssen could have passed for a Dutchman, a burly man with a florid face and a mass of golden hair, which he apparently seldom cut and never shaved, for it flowed from his chin and around his ears like a waterfall. He might even have been a boucanier but for the cleanliness and severity of his dress, for despite the heat he wore a long black coat, and black stockings, while his cravat, if white, was not more than a glimmer at his throat, entirely lacking in lace. His hat was a plain black beaver, such as had been popular in England under the Commonwealth.
But the woman. Surely she was his daughter, for she could not be more than a third of his age, although she possessed his height and colouring, a tall stem of golden beauty. Perhaps. Her face was long, and too serious. Nose and chin were straight and well-shaped, and separated by a mouth wide enough for generosity, and flat enough for determination, as well. As she also wore a wide hat, in grey, Kit could not see her eyes, nor was it easy to decide on her figure, for she was totally concealed beneath a shapeless grey gown, high-necked with a wide white collar, and only slightly pulled in at her waist by a belt. But her height and obvious slenderness promised well, and she moved well, too, with an easy grace.
'Quickly,' he bellowed at Agrippa. 'Assist the lady.'
The big man grinned, and swung his leg over the gunwale to give her his hand.
Her father came up unaided. 'I have not had the pleasure of your acquaintance, Captain, but it is glad I am to see you. The previous master of this vessel was an unmitigated scoundrel, and no seaman into the bargain.'
'So any change must be for the better,' Lenzing smiled.
'Aye,' Kit said. 'It is to be hoped so. But I make no claims to virtue, Mr Christianssen. My name is Christopher Hilton.'
'Hilton?' The merchant frowned. 'A familiar name.'
'Indeed it is,' Lenzing agreed. 'His father and grandfather were buccaneers, men of action, Mr Christianssen. As is this young man, I'll be bound. Come below, Captain, and we'll take a glass and itemize the manifest.'
He headed for the cabin, obviously familiar with the ship. Kit hesitated, w-atching the young woman straightening her skirts as she reached the deck.
Christianssen followed his gaze. 'My daughter, Lilian, Captain Hilton. Our new master is a buccaneer, it seems, my dear.'
She gave Kit her hand. The firm quality of her features increased with a closer inspection, and her eyes were a magnificent clear blue. 'I trust we are safe in your company, sir.'
'Your father omitted to finish his tale, Miss Christianssen,' Kit said, with some embarrassment. 'I have seen sufficient piracy to understand that it is not for me, God willing.'
'Then there is yet hope for your soul, Captain,' she said. 'But you should be about your business.'
'Will you not join us, sir, and your daughter?' Kit asked the tradesman. 'Surely, if you own the St John's warehouse, the goods I import from this place are of interest to you?'
'Indeed they are, Captain,' Christianssen agreed. 'And more than half of them are destined for my cellars, to be sure. But I prefer not to indulge in spirituous liquors, you understand, and I would not interfere with either your or Mr Lenzing's pleasure. So you attend to your manifest, and I will attend to my business, no doubt to our mutual profit.' He turned back to the rail to supervise the loading.
Kit continued to hesitate, standing beside Lilian. Now why, he wondered. Was he not working for Philip Warner only in the hope of once again meeting Marguerite? All other women could be nothing more than distractions. And in any event, would Lilian not shrink away from his side had she the slightest understanding of what he really was, of what he had really done, with his life?
'Pray do not let us detain you from your affairs, sir,' she said.
'You may believe, Miss Christianssen,' he said, 'that I would far rather be detained here by you than either drink a glass of rum or scrutinize a manifest with Meinheer Lenzing. I am also concerned that this vessel lacks proper accommodation for ladies.'
'Then please cease to be, sir,' she said. 'In the first place, it is a journey of only a few hours, and in this pleasant climate it is no hardship at all for me to remain on deck throughout the night, and in the second place it is a voyage I have made several times before.'
'I stand corrected,' Kit acknowledged. 'Yet I hope, if you will permit me, and if you do intend to spend the night on deck, that you will not turn your back on my company, as I also must be on duty throughout the voyage.'
She glanced at him, her face severely composed. 'I should be delighted to talk with you, Captain Hilton,' she said. 'If you can spare the time from your duties.'
'Now, sir, Captain Hilton,' said Barnee the tailor. 'If you will stand as straight as if you were about to engage in a duel, and take a deep breath, I should be entirely reassured concerning this coat.'
'I already am standing straight, Barnee,' Kit said, and cast an embarrassed glance through the open door of the shop on to the street; there was hardly a more public place in all St John's than Barnee's shop. But he did as he was bid. The coat was of blue broadcloth, and cut with splendid accuracy, to fit every contour of his body. 'What do you think, Dan?'
Parke, whose every coat fitted in just such a fashion, leaned against the wall of the shop with folded arms. 'I had not suspected my bold buccaneer was at heart a dandy,' he said. 'Or is this expensive purchase designed to catch the eye of a lady?'
'Better that than for my own pleasure,' Kit said, turning this way and that to look at himself in the mirror.
'Aha,' Parke said. 'Believe me, friend, I have watched you closely this past month, and you could do worse, saving that I would wish
no man to become enamoured of a Quaker.'
'A Quaker?' Kit turned, and frowned, and laughed. 'Oh, you mean Lilian. Why, I doubt not that she would utter similar words, only with a reversed sentiment. You mistake the situation entirely.'
'Another? Faith, you are a secretive fellow.' Parke sighed. 'But I suppose I have spent too much of my time buried deep in the sugar factories to appreciate the society of this island. Yet it grieves me, dear friend, to take my leave without meeting this charmer of yours.'
'Then dally a while longer,' Kit suggested. 'I cannot see that there is so great a haste about visiting Barbados. I had supposed you to consider Antigua a perfect paradise.'
'Indeed I do. But letters from my father keep reminding me that there are other islands, other sugar factories, even other handsome young women, to be investigated.'
The tailor at last stood back and clapped his hands. 'A perfect fit, a perfect cut, Captain Hilton, if I do say so myself. Now, what that coat wants is a matched pair of breeches to go underneath, and why, sir, you'd look fit to walk through Hyde Park itself.'
'I am extremely unlikely ever to walk through Hyde Park, Mr Barnee,' Kit pointed out. 'And I think the breeches should wait until I have managed to pay for the coat, don't you?'
'Oh, fie upon you, sir,' Barnee declared. 'Did you suppose I'd come running behind you for payment? You are employed by Colonel Warner, and that is sufficient for me. Now, as to the breeches ...'
'I'll run up no debts, Mr Barnee. Colonel Warner owes me a month's wages, which are due this day, and by God, sir, the first person I shall settle is yourself.'
'And speak of the devil.' Parke removed his tricorne with a flourish. 'Good day to you, Colonel.'
Philip Warner stepped into the tailor's shop, kicking dust from his boots. He did not trouble to uncover. 'What, Barnee? What? Dandifying Captain Hilton? Was I invited to a fitting?'
'A man needs a new coat, Colonel Warner,' Barnee said primly.
'And right glad am I to see you, Colonel,' Kit said. 'Mr Barnee has been good enough to trust me while making this splendid garment, and I would not like him to have to wait much longer for his money.'
'Money? Money?' Philip Warner burst out laughing. 'Now, what gives you the impression that I propose to pay you money?'
Kit flushed. 'I have commanded your sloop for a month, sir, as we agreed. In that time we have made twelve voyages to St Eustatius, and every one of them we have returned with our holds full of smuggled merchandise. I'd have thought you'd be more than satisfied.'
'Kit, Kit,' Warner said. 'I am more than satisfied. Much more. Compared with that fellow Longstreet you are a treasure. I came down here today, not merely to settle with you, but to insist that you remain in my employ. And to offer you a bonus in addition.'
'Faith, sir,' Kit said, frowning. 'I do not take your meaning. You said not a minute ago ...'
'That I have not a penny with which to pay you. Tell us, Barnee, when last were you paid in coin?'
'Well, sir ...'
'There you are, lad. Coin is scarce, and not to be wasted. And what would you do with it, save gamble it away overnight? I know you buccaneers, by God. Now, sir, here is my statement. I promised you ten pounds for the month, and here, I have written down that I owe you ten pounds. But more, so much profit have you brought into my warehouses that I have added another ten in reward. So there you have, twenty pounds, over my signature.'
Kit took the piece of paper, slowly, stared at the figures. 'But what am I supposed to do with this, Colonel?'
'Use it, to your heart's content. It is a charge against my credit, and will in turn establish yours. Now, for instance, what is this rogue Barnee charging you for this suit?'
'It is but a coat, Colonel,' Barnee protested. 'And I am making no profit at two pounds.'
'I repeat, you are a rogue. But none the less, Kit, if pay him you must, write him a cheque for two pounds, over your signature, and let him certify that it is so paid on my bill in turn.
Or if not, just show him my bill and let him be sure that you have the credit.'
Kit scratched his head. 'Except that I do not have the money.'
'By God, lad, but you are a primitive soul. Credit is worth far more than money, as the only person who can take away your credit is you yourself, by your extravagance. And the proof of a pudding is in the eating, is it not? Ask Barnee whether he will not be satisfied with a bill of yours, whether he has any doubt that he may exchange it anywhere on the island for goods.'
'Indeed, sir,' Barnee said. 'If your credit is backed by that of Colonel Warner's, then you will have no problem. I attempted to explain that much to you just now.'
'Except that every bill must be redeemed eventually,' Kit said. 'Must it not?'
'Why of course,' Philip said. 'Every year, when we have finished grinding the crop and our sugar is ready to be shipped, my bills are collected and set against the value of my shipment. It is all done by my agents.'
Kit scratched his head. 'But how do you know where you stand, Colonel?'
'Where I stand, Kit? Where I stand? I know where I stand every morning when I ride through my fields. Now then, I must along to the warehouse and see what you have brought in this last time.'
'Then you will require my presence, sir.'
'Not in the least,' Warner smiled at him. 'I never saw a man yet invest in a new coat of such splendour who wished to discuss business. You take your Danish lady-friend out for the walk you intend, and take my blessings with her. For I tell you straight, Kit, if I had my doubts about employing you when you first landed here, in view of your antecedents and your reputation, why, I admit myself to be mistaken. You are a steady lad, sir, a steady lad. And the Quaker will make you steadier yet. You'll retain command of the Bonaveriture?'
'Well, sir, I must say ...'
'Good, good, then it is settled. My associates will be more than pleased. Good day to you, Barnee. Daniel, you'll join me for dinner?'
Parke hesitated, and then nodded. 'With pleasure, Philip. A farewell feast.'
'And never will a guest be more sorely missed. Good day to you, gentlemen.'
He bustled across the street to the Ice House, and Kit scratched his head some more. 'He leaves me breathless. Do you know, when first we met, I had thought him a pompous boor. But he can be a very pleasant fellow. Certainly I could not have asked more of him. And I owe it to you, I am sure.'
Parke was frowning as he gazed at the street. 'Oh, indeed, he is a pleasant fellow, Kit. And yet, I sometimes wonder whether I have done you any favour in bringing you here.'
'Well, I have no doubts on that score.'
'You think so? Has it occurred to you that while I am entertained most royally at Colonel Warner's plantation, you have never even been invited there? Have you ever met Mistress Warner?'
'Well, no. But I am happy enough on my ship and in my station. I glory in every minute I spend at sea. And then, Daniel, however much of a friend you are to me, there is a difference in our station. Your father owns a cotton plantation larger than Colonel Warner's, and his father founded these colonies. Mine was a buccaneer.'
'A friend of Thomas Warner's, though. At least, your grandfather was. And none of your brothers or uncles are cannibal kings, at any rate. I think you set too low a claim upon yourself, dear Kit. The other criticism that I have to make of your situation is somewhat more serious, I think. You are now a man of substance, are you not, with a bill for twenty English pounds neatly folded in your pocket.'
'And right comforting it is too, I can tell you,' Kit said. 'I have never owned so much in my life before.'
'But it is dependent upon Colonel Warner's credit, is it not?'
'Do you doubt that?'
'Not in the least. Having ridden every corner of his plantation, I have no doubt that he does understand his worth whenever he looks out of a window. But yours exists only as long as he supports it. Bear that in mind, Kit. There are other forms of slavery than the handcuffs and the whip. But perhaps I h
ave already said too much. You will make your home here, and marry your Quaker, and be happy. And I must take myself back to the hurly-burly of Virginian society, compared with which these islands seem like untroubled paradises.' He seized Kit's hand. 'But I would not have missed this voyage for the world, especially as it brought me your acquaintance. I trust we shall meet again, some day.'
'Oh, we shall,' Kit cried, suddenly aghast at the idea of his friend's departure. 'And you shall not find me changed. Believe me. As to why you, and Colonel Warner, and everyone else, it seems, should suppose that I am enamoured of Lilian Christianssen, or if I were, that she would consider betrothing herself to a buccaneer, a man of violence and with intolerable crimes staining his soul, why, the idea is preposterous.'
'Is it?' Parke inquired. 'Then tell me why she smiles whenever she sees you? And tell me what you talk of when you walk together of an evening?'
'Can two people of opposite sexes not be friends?' Kit demanded. 'As to our conversation, it mostly concerns Master Fox, for whom she has a reverence almost amounting to worship, and in whom she would also interest me.'
'So, then, we shall find you a Quaker yet. And in any event, Kit, you betray yourself in this coat. Now I must go. Adieu, dear friend. A thousand times adieu. But we shall meet again. I make that resolution, and Daniel Parke is a man of his word.'
He hurried off, patently upset at having to say farewell. And Kit let him go, because even Daniel's departure loomed small by the standards of this afternoon's adventure. As during his month on Antigua the widow Templeton had not visited St John's, then would he visit the widow Templeton. This coat had been designed for just that purpose. So what of Daniel's words? Did Philip Warner seek to make a slave of him? As if a white man could make a slave of another white man. And did it matter if he placed himself in Philip's power, for a while, as long as he could enjoy Marguerite's company, from time to time?
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