By Right of Conquest; Or, With Cortez in Mexico

by G. A. Henty

  Chapter 4: Among The Islands.

  "Now, let us go through our calculations again," the captain saidwhen they entered his cabin.

  "How long will you be, Captain?" the first mate asked.

  "Half an hour, Standing."

  "Then I will come again or, if you want me before that, send forme," and the first mate went out on deck again, for though wellskilled to handle a ship in all weathers, and as brave and hardy aseaman as sailed out of Plymouth, James Standing could neither readnor write; and though in a rough sort of way he could reckon thecourse a ship should lie, and make allowance for leeway andcurrents and baffling winds, and could bring a ship into any portin England or the Low Countries, he was of no use in a matter ofthis kind.

  Pengarvan was a good scholar, and Reuben had taught him what heknew of navigation, and always made him keep a log from the timewhen he first became a mate; at first comparing their calculationsevery day, and then but once a week; arguing over the allowanceseach had made for tide and leeway; and sometimes finding to hissurprise, on arriving in port, that Pengarvan's calculations wereeven nearer to the truth than his own.

  This was a great satisfaction to him, for he felt that, if aughtshould happen to himself when on a voyage, Pengarvan could betrusted to bring the Swan home, as safely and surely as he couldhimself. Roger had, for the last two years, been going through thesame schooling; but as yet he was very far from attaining accuracy,being unwilling to make sufficient allowance for the great leewaythat a vessel, in those days, made with the wind abeam.

  "Now, Pengarvan," Reuben said in great glee, "bring out your logbook. We have not compared notes since we started, for till weexpected to reach land there was no occasion to do so, as ourgeneral course was clear enough. Now let us see where you put her.

  "And you, too, Roger; let us see what hand you have made of it.

  "I went through my calculations yesterday, and I am sure that thereis no mistake in the figures. If I am right, this is the islandthat we see ahead, the one called Samona; while that we see dimlyaway on the port hand is Mariguana. I don't see, by this map, anyland marked that could be that which we see on the starboard hand.

  "Now, what do you make of it?"

  "I put it more than a degree to the southeast, Captain; and believethat the three islands we see are those marked as the Caicos: theGreat Caicos in the center, North and East on either hand."

  "And you, Roger, what do you make of it?"

  "According to my calculation, father, we ought to be full twohundred miles from land, and heading straight for Abaco, thenorthernmost of these islands."

  The captain laughed, and even Pengarvan smiled.

  "I fear, Roger, it would be hardly safe to leave the ship in yourhands, at present. You are some six hundred miles away fromPengarvan's islands, and but seventy less from mine.

  "Well, Pengarvan, whether you or I be right, we may congratulateourselves; for we have made a near cast, indeed, seeing that it iseight weeks since we left England, and more than six since wesailed out of sight of Madeira; and that we traversed a seaaltogether strange to us, and of whose currents we know nothing. Weare both right, to a day, in our reckoning of distance; and neitherof us need feel hurt, if the other turns out right, at findinghimself but sixty miles out, on a voyage of such length as this.

  "I headed for this point because, as I said, we must steer clear ofthe great islands; which are, as you know, wholly in the possessionof the Spaniards, who have dispossessed the inhabitants, and usethem as slaves for working the plantations and mines. As you see bythe chart, they have no posts in all these islands, running fromhere northwest, nearly up to the mainland; except a small post atSan Salvador. Now we will coast up through these islands, till weget within sight of Columbus Point, at the southerly end of SanSalvador; for that was the island, you know, that was firstdiscovered by him in '92. Then we will strike westward to Andros,and after that shape her course due west. This will take us northof the west end of Cuba, and well out of sight of land; but we mustbe careful of our navigation, for as you see it is written here:

  "'Small islands, innumerable, scattered among those marked here;these being the principal. Many of these islands are low, and showbut little above the water. Sailing is very perilous, and not to beattempted at night.'

  "You see, in this course we shall have the advantage of being wellout of the ordinary line of passage of the Spaniards, who shapetheir course more to the southward, make Porto Rico their firstlandfall, and then have the two great islands, Hispaniola and Cuba,lying straight before them; free, as it seems, by the chart, fromany dangers to navigation.

  "Roger, from this evening we will compare our log books day by day,so that you may learn where it is that you have gone wrong. But Ican guess how it is. The wind is blowing chiefly from the east, andyou will never make allowance enough for drift; and I have told youover and over again that, with a light wind on our beam, we drive amile to leeward for every two we go on our course. There are manyships which will drift nigh a mile for every mile they sail, inlight winds. When the wind is brisk, and we are going fast throughthe water, then we drift but little, not more perhaps than one mileto six or seven."

  "But why is that, father? How is it that a light wind blows us awaysideways; and that a strong wind, instead of blowing us more, blowsus less?"

  "That I cannot tell you, Roger. You must leave those questions forwiser heads to settle. I only know that it is so--of that there isno doubt at all; but why, I have not the least idea.

  "How does it strike you, Pengarvan?"

  The Cornishman shook his head.

  "I have thought it over, Captain, many times. It seems to me,sometimes, that I have a sort of notion why it is; but it is notclear, even to myself. I could not put it into words."

  The first mate now looked into the cabin.

  "Here we are, James. Pengarvan puts her here, opposite these threelittle islands. I put her here some sixty miles away."

  "It matters not at all, that I can see, which it is," Standingsaid. "One island is as good as another, so that it has got waterand fruit. The tubs are getting low, and the men are beginning toneed a change of diet; so I hope, Captain, you will lay her to atthe first we come to, and get what we want, whether it is Spaniardor native we have to fight for it."

  "I hope we shall have to fight neither, Standing; but I don't thinkwe are likely to meet with Spaniards--for all the islands in thesegroups are small ones, and the navigation dangerous. As for theIndians, I fear we may not find them very friendly, seeing thatthey will, of course, take us for Spaniards, whom they have littlereason to love. Still, when they see that our intentions arepeaceable, and that we wish only to trade, they may abate theirhostility."

  In three hours they were close to the island that they had firstseen, which proved to be much nearer than they had supposed, atfirst sight. It was low, and thickly covered with trees, and ofonly a few miles' circumference.

  "There is no chance of finding the natives hostile here," ReubenHawkshaw said. "Their numbers can be but scanty, and the only fearis that they may hide themselves in the woods at our approach, andrefuse to have dealing with us.

  "Get the lead ready to sound, James, and put some grease on thebottom, that we may see what kind of holding ground it is."

  As the sun had risen the wind had fallen, and the Swan was nowmoving very slowly through the water. They were about a mile fromthe land when the log was first hove.

  "Eighteen fathoms, Captain," the mate reported, adding when thelead was hauled up, "and a sandy bottom."

  Casting the lead regularly, they sailed on until within little morethan a quarter of a mile of the shore, and there dropped anchor insix fathoms of water.

  "I shouldn't like to be caught in a gale here," the captain said;"but if it did come on to blow, we could get up our anchor and sailround to the other side of the island, where we should be inshelter."

  "There are some natives, father," Roger, who was watching theshore, exclaimed. "They are waving gre
en branches."

  "Wave a white flag, Roger. Fasten anything white to a boat hook,and wave it. They may understand that, as the white flag is in useby all nations as a sign of peace, and they may have seen theSpaniards use it.

  "Get one of the boats lowered, James--the long boat will be thebest--let its crew take their arms with them, but lay them underthe seats, so as to land in peaceable guise. I myself will goashore in her, and see what are the intentions of the natives. Geta couple of guns loaded, and if you see they attack us, fire a shotover their heads into the woods. That will be enough to frightenthem. However, I think not that we shall have trouble."

  A couple of boxes had already been got on deck by the captain'sorders, and some strings of glass beads, hawk bells, and otherarticles of trade taken out.

  "You can come with me, Roger," the captain said; and in a fewminutes the boat rowed towards the shore.

  Eight men sat at the oars, and eight others were bestowed in thebow and stern. She would have carried twice as many, but thecaptain wished to avoid any show of force.

  The group of natives had increased, by the time the boat reachedthe shore; and the captain saw that they consisted of two men whowere apparently chiefs, and some thirty of inferior rank. Theycontinued to wave green branches, and their attitude was sopeaceful that the captain did not hesitate to leap ashore, as soonas the boat touched the strand.

  "You follow me, Roger; and you others keep your hands on your arms,ready to use them. But sit quiet, and do not show your weaponsunless there be occasion."

  The chiefs advanced with a timid air towards the newcomers; and, onapproaching, saluted in an attitude of deep humility, using theSpanish word Amigos.

  "Amigos--Friends," repeated the captain, in a cheerful tone.

  Roger gazed with intense interest upon these strange beings. Theywere, in color, but little darker than the Moors who had tried tocapture the Swan, on her last voyage. They were of good height, butof slender figure. Their countenances were soft and almostfeminine, with large dark eyes and mild and gentle expression. Theyhad no hair upon their faces; that on their heads was long andblack. Round their heads were light gold bands, from which roseplumes of colored feathers. They were naked above the waist, savethat over one shoulder cotton cloths, ornamented with fantasticpatterns wrought in bright feathers, were lightly thrown.

  From the waist they wore cotton petticoats, reaching to the knees.Both had belts decorated by shells, worked into intricate patterns;and from similar belts, crossing the shoulder, hung quivers filledwith small arrows. They had necklaces and bracelets of brightbeads, of European manufacture; and both carried light spears,their bows hanging from their shoulders.

  Their followers were similarly dressed, save that the fillets roundtheir heads, instead of being gold, were strips of skin decoratedwith shells and beads, and the mantles were of plain cotton.

  The captain took from his pouch two necklaces of large blue beads,and presented them to the chiefs, and also gave to each of them asmall hatchet. These they received with tokens of gratitude; beingspecially pleased with the hatchets, which were articles vastlyprized by the natives, and rarely bestowed upon them by theSpaniards, who were very chary of presenting the natives withanything that could be used as a weapon.

  The captain then made a sign to the natives to approach, andbestowed a necklace of smaller beads upon each. He next called tothe sailors, and bade them come ashore, bringing with them onlytheir hangers; for there was no doubt that the natives werefriendly.

  While they were doing so, four of the natives, at the order oftheir chiefs, brought forward large baskets; beautifully plaitedand, as Roger judged, made of the tender bark of some tree. Thechiefs took these from their attendants and, opening them, placedthem before the captain with a gesture of humility. They werefilled with fruits, all of which were of kinds such as neitherRoger, nor his father, had seen before.

  The sailors now brought forward an empty barrel, and the captainsignified that they required water. One or two billets of wood werealso shown, and the captain signified, by action, that he wishedhis men should be allowed to cut wood, to carry on board ship. Healso pointed to the baskets of fruit, and then showed some morestrings of beads, and some hawk bells, intimating his desire totrade.

  The natives readily comprehended the gestures. Pointing to the keg,they intimated, by signs, that the ship should be moved round tothe other side of the island; and that fruit would be taken to themthere.

  The men would, gladly enough, have wandered at once into the woodsto look at the trees and flowers, which differed widely fromanything they had ever before seen; but the captain said:

  "We shall have time enough for that, men. Let us get off with thisfruit. Our comrades on board will be thirsting for their share.Then we will get the ship round on the other side; and all willhave an opportunity to go ashore."

  As soon as they got on board, a portion of the fruit was set aside,for the use of the officers, and the rest divided among the crew.Although they were ignorant of the names, the men enjoyed hugelythe pineapples, guavas, and custard apples that formed the majorportion of the contents of the baskets; and cheerfully set aboutthe work of getting up their anchor, and setting the sails.

  But the wind had now entirely dropped, and the Swan scarce movedthrough the water. So anxious, however, were the men to land, thatthey gladly obeyed the captain's orders to get out all the boatsand tow her--although the heat was so great that, at any othertime, they would have shrunk from such a labor.

  As soon as they reached the other side of the island, the anchorwas dropped and, the men on board having already made everythingsnug, Captain Reuben called those who had been towing out of theboats.

  "My lads," he said, "I wish to say a few words, before you land. Inthe first place, you cannot all go. It would never do to leave theship without sufficient hands on board to fight her, seeing that atany moment a Spaniard may come round one end of the island or theother, and fall upon us. Consequently, half must remain on board,and take their turn on shore tomorrow. I wish to give no advantageto any; therefore the boatswain shall put two pieces of foldedpaper in his hat, one being blank and the other having a cross uponit. If the blank paper is drawn, the starboard watch shall goashore, and the larboard take their turn tomorrow. If the paperwith the cross comes out, it will be the other way.

  "One more matter: I shall expect the discipline on shore to be asgood as it has been on board ship. The natives are to be treatedwell, and all that we get from them shall be by fair barter, and itshall be conducted for the advantage of all. The first mate andboatswain will take ashore some of the goods we have brought forthe purpose of trade, and they will buy not only such things as werequire for the ship--fruit and vegetables--but whatever thenatives may have to sell.

  "All these things will be brought on board, and then those of youwho wish for any of these articles, as a token from the firstisland at which we touched, can take them; making an auction amongyourselves, the sums to be deducted from your wages. In this wayall will be on a fair footing, and the proceeds of the sale will gointo the general fund, to be divided at the end of the voyage.Nevertheless, I should advise you not to purchase now, but to leaveit until we have finished all our business, and are on our homewardway. Then we shall see what we have obtained, and each man can buyaccording to his liking. I say this because, if you get things now,they will litter up the ship, and will get broken, lost, or thrownoverboard; and it were far better that everything remained packedin the hold, until we are on the homeward voyage.

  "Another thing: Let each man behave himself decently on shore. Begentle and kind to the natives who, though but heathens, are aharmless people, and friendly. Let there be no quarrels ordisputes; and above all, let none meddle with the women. I warn youthat any breach of these orders will be most severely punished; andthat, moreover, anyone who does so offend will never have leave togo ashore again, not if we cruise for ten years among theseislands."

  The second mate and Roger remained on bo
ard with the starboardwatch, the drawing giving the advantage to the others; and these,with the captain and first mate, were soon rowing towards theshore. Those on board, although disappointed that fate had decidedagainst them, had their share of amusement, for a good many canoesafterwards came off to them, filled with goods for barter; and asthe captain, before leaving, had told the second mate that he couldbuy and sell with those who came out, a brisk trade was soonestablished.

  They had no fear of treachery from the natives, who were in suchdread of the white men that they would not venture to lift a handagainst them, however great the odds might be; and they were,therefore, allowed to come on board and mix freely with thesailors. The contents of the canoes, chiefly fruit and vegetables,were spread out on the deck, and the mate and Roger bargained withthem, giving them little looking glasses, and strings of beads, inexchange for their wares.

  "They are mighty reasonable in their demands," Roger said toPengarvan. "It seems almost a shame to take these great baskets offruit and vegetables, in return for such trifles."

  "They are not trifles to them," the mate replied, "and there isnothing unfair in the exchange. These things are to them what goldand jewels are to us. We would give, gladly, a score of boatloadsof vegetables for a diamond the size of a pea; and these glassbeads are as valuable, in their eyes, as diamonds are in ours."

  After buying up the main stock, they trafficked with the nativesfor the little ornaments they wore, necklaces and braceletscunningly worked with bright shells and seeds, and weapons ofcuriously carved wood. At nightfall the other boats returned, ladendown with fruit and vegetables.

  "'We must buy no more of these commodities, at present," CaptainReuben said, when he saw what had been purchased on board. "We havegot enough to last us as long as they will keep, eat we never soheartily;" and indeed, the next day a number of the crew were ill,from the quantity of fruit that they consumed.

  This, however, soon passed off, and the change of diet did greatgood. The scurvy disappeared, and in a short time all--even thosewho had suffered most--were again fit for duty.

  The following morning, Roger and Pengarvan went ashore with thestarboard watch. The captain again accompanied them, and for hoursthey rambled about the island, wondering at the strange trees andfoliage and the bright flowers; and filled especially withadmiration at the tiny birds, with feathers like jewels, thatflitted about among the flowers, and concerning which there wasmuch dispute among the men--some asserting that they were a sort ofgreat bee, while others maintained that they were birds. So quicklydid they fly that the men, although they tried hard, failed tocatch any of them; but the dispute as to their nature was solved,by the discovery that one of the chiefs had a robe fringed with theskins of these little creatures; and examining these they saw,surely enough, that they were birds, with feathers glistening inthe sun like jewels of many colors Captain Reuben persuaded thechief to cut off the fringe and sell it to him, giving in exchangefor it the high price of four copper rings, and a tiny lookingglass.

  In the afternoon the crew set to work to re-water the ship, and bynightfall all the casks were filled up, and the vessel was ready toproceed again on her way. The next morning sails were hoisted andthe anchor weighed. The natives came out in great numbers in theircanoes, and surrounded the Swan as she glided away from her anchorage,waving their hands and raising cries of farewell--evidently greatlysatisfied at the treatment they had received at the hands of theirwhite visitors.

  For a fortnight the Swan cruised from island to island; but beyondgiving the crew a run ashore at each, and so building up theirstrength and getting them in fighting trim, should there beoccasion to call upon them for action, little advantage wasobtained from these visits. Fruit and vegetables were obtainable inabundance; but beyond these, and little trinkets and feathers,there was no trade to be done.

  "It is clear," Captain Reuben said, as he and his officers weregathered in the cabin, "that there is neither gain nor advantage tobe obtained from trade here. The natives have doubtless sufficientfor their wants, which are of the simplest; but of wealth such aswe prize in England there is none to be had. It is different withthe Spaniards--they make slaves of these poor creatures, and forcethem to till their plantations, to raise crops for them, and towork mines; but we, who cannot do these things, can get nothingfrom a longer stay in these coasts.

  "We touched here chiefly to get water and fruit, to keep us all inhealth, and in that we have abundantly succeeded. We had best nowshape our course westward, and try to find this new land, rich ingold, of which my friend the Spanish captain learned by report fromthe natives. So far we have fallen in with no Spaniards, but we maydo so at any time; and although I have no fear of beating off anythat might meddle with us, it would do us great harm did the newsspread that a strange ship was in these waters; for they wouldassuredly send out expeditions in search of us, from all theirports, as soon as the news reached them."

  The others quite agreed with Captain Reuben's views, and the nextmorning the ship's head was pointed west. Two days later, whenpassing an island they saw, on opening a headland, a port with manyhouses, and a Spanish flag flying from a mast on shore. Two largeSpanish vessels were lying there. They were apparently on the pointof sailing, for the sails were already dropped.

  An exclamation of surprise broke from all on the deck of the Swan,and the men ran to the braces and sheets, in order to trim thesails.

  "Steady, men!" Captain Reuben shouted. "Touch not sheet or tack. Wemust sail past as if bent on our own business. If we change ourcourse, now, they will suspect that something is wrong.

  "Pengarvan, do you get out the Spanish flag from the locker, andrun it up to the peak."

  This was done, though it was easy to see, by the looks the crewcast towards the strange craft, that they would gladly go in andfight them.

  "Another time, lads," Captain Reuben said cheerfully, as he sawtheir mood. "I doubt not we shall have enough fighting to satisfyyou, before we have done; but our object here is to trade, and getrich. If thrashing the Dons comes in the way of business, we shalldo it contentedly; but there is no occasion for us to put ourselvesout of the way to meet them. Supposing we were to go in, and sinkthose two ships; as I doubt not we are men enough to do, if we wereto try it. They would see it all from the shore; and no sooner didwe set sail again, than boats would carry the news to every Spanishport in these quarters, and we should have a score of ships inpursuit of us, in no time; and, whatever came of it, that wouldinterfere with the hopes of gain with which we have sailed to theseseas.

  "This port must be a newly formed one," he went on, turning toRoger, "for there is no Spanish station marked hereabout, in mychart."

  The course which the Swan was taking would have carried her half amile to seaward of the two Spanish vessels, but she now edged apoint or two farther out. Doubtless the Spaniards were surprised atseeing that the vessel, instead of entering the port, continued hercourse; and it may be that they very soon discovered such points inher hull, and rigging, as set them wondering what she could be.

  Presently a gun was fired from one of the ships--as a signal,doubtless, for her to heave to. The Swan paid no attention to thecommand, but kept on her course. In two minutes there was anotherflash and a puff of white smoke from the Spaniard, and a shotskipped across the water in front of the Swan. A growl of angerbroke from her crew.

  "Put up the helm," Captain Reuben ordered; and the vessel, whichwas running before the wind, came up till her head pointed straightto sea.

  Although the Spanish ships were still three-quarters of a mileaway, a bustle was at once observable on their decks. Men clusteredat the bows, and could be seen at work there.

  "They are getting up the anchors," Pengarvan said, as he watchedthem, shading his eyes with his hands.

  Three or four minutes later the sails were sheeted home, and theSpaniard began to move through the water, having set sail as soonas the anchors were tripped. No sooner were they under weigh, andthe crews at their quarters, than they
began to discharge their bowguns after the Swan.

  "Shall we answer them, Captain?" James Standing asked. "We canbring a couple of guns aft, and fire over the rail."

  "By no means," Captain Reuben replied. "At present they knownothing about us, and though they may guess that we are notlicensed traders, with due authority to trade among the islands, Ido not suppose they suspect, for a moment, that we are foreigners;but deem us a private venture, from one of their own ports. NoSpanish trader would dare to fire on their own flag and, as long aswe do not reply, they will suppose that we are only trying toescape the payment of some heavy fine, or perhaps forfeiture, forbreach of their regulations.

  "No, they can fire away. They are not likely to hurt us. They arefully a mile behind us, and we shall soon leave them."

  But in this respect the captain was mistaken. The Spaniards wereboth fast vessels; and although the Swan kept her distance, thoseon board presently saw that she gained nothing. The shot continuedto fall around them, but the Spaniards worked their guns slowly.The pieces on their forecastles were light ones, and though two orthree shot passed through the sails of the Swan, they did butlittle damage.

  "As long as they don't knock away a spar we will hold on," CaptainReuben said. "If they do, we will turn and fight them. But the windis dropping a little, and I think that, if anything, we are gainingupon them now."

  By the afternoon the Swan was fully two miles ahead, and theSpaniards had discontinued firing. The Swan was heading now to passan island which had, for some hours, been visible ahead. Presentlythe Spaniards again began firing, although their shot fell in thewater far astern of the Swan.

  "What are the lubbers up to now?" James Standing said. "They cannotthink they are going to frighten us into stopping, now that we havefairly got away from them."

  Captain Reuben was anxiously gazing at the island ahead. They hadlaid their course to pass it to windward, as they sailed better,close-hauled, than did the Spaniard; who had not only fallenbehind, but had lagged to leeward nigh half a mile.

  "They must be firing as a signal," he said. "There may either be aSpanish port in the island, or they may know that there are some oftheir ships lying there; though I can see no signs, either of aport or ships."

  "It would matter little if we could, Captain," Pengarvan said; "forany ships along that shore would be to leeward of us, and we shouldpass the end of the island long before they could beat up there;but it would be awkward if there happened to be a port, with two orthree of their ships, just beyond that point. We should be caughtbetween two fires then, and have to fight the lot of them."

  The captain nodded.

  "You are right, Pengarvan. We should be in a fix, then; and fourSpaniards at once is more than we bargained for."

  They were now within two miles of the point towards which they weresteering, and towards which the eyes of the two officers on thepoop were directed. Five minutes later an exclamation broke fromthem, simultaneously, as the sails of a lofty ship made theirappearance over the extremity of the point, and a minute later agreat hull came into sight.

  "Helm to larboard," Captain Reuben ordered sharply. "We must rundown the island. We can never weather that fellow that has justappeared.

  "Ah! There are two others coming out. We are in a hornets' nest."

  The sails were squared off, and the Swan was soon running beforethe wind; almost parallel with the coast, but edging in a little,to keep her farther from the vessels that had first chased them.These had also changed their course, and their position to leewardnow gave them an advantage.

  Ere long the Swan was almost abreast her late pursuers, who wereabout a mile and a quarter to seaward; while the other threeSpanish ships, with all sails set, were a mile and a half astern,but a good deal nearer in shore.

  "The sun will be down in another five minutes," Captain Reubensaid, "and in half an hour it will be dark. The Spaniards can runquite as fast as we can--a bit faster, I think; but we can beatthem, close hauled. The wind is falling lighter and lighter. If itwas not for that, we would haul our wind and be off on the othertack, and throw all of them out. But it will be a dead calm beforelong, and they will be either lowering all their boats to attackus, or towing their ships up to us. If we were close under the landthey might miss us, but they will be able to make us out, here. Atany rate, we must hold on as we are, until the wind dropsaltogether."

  After sunset the breeze died away rapidly and, by the time nighthad fully set in, the sails dropped motionless, and the Swan ceasedto move through the water. The captain at once ordered all theboats to be lowered, and the men swarmed into them, double bankingthe oars. Hawsers were handed into them, and the vessel's headswept round in the direction from which she had come, but somewhatfarther seaward.

  "Now, lads," the captain said, "pull with a will. There will be agood supper, and an allowance of strong ale, when you come onboard."

  After rowing for half an hour, the captain ordered them to cease,and to keep silence. Listening attentively, he could hear in thestill night air the sound of oars; but whether the boats weretowing the ships, or rowing independently, he could not tell. Againthe men set to work.

  "I hope they are towing," he said to the first mate. "They wouldhave no chance whatever of catching us, for our strong crew cantake a vessel like the Swan through the water at twice the ratethey could row their big ships. I can't see the fellows in shore,can you?"

  "No, Captain. They are hid in the shadow of the land. I can makeout the others, but they are a long way farther off than when westarted."

  "I expect we shall have the boats after us, Standing. Both lots canmake us out, and can see that we are gaining on them.

  "Ah! I felt a breath of wind. I did not expect it for an hour ortwo yet; but if the breeze springs up, we shall soon run away fromthem."

  Stopping and listening again, they could hear the sound of oars,from two directions.

  "They are coming," the captain said. "The beat is quicker than itwould be if they were towing; besides, it is a great deal moredistinct than it was. I don't think they are more than a milebehind us.

  "Ah! There is the wind again."

  There was a deep flapping sound, and a rattling of blocks, as thesails bellied out for a moment, and then fell against the mastsagain. Captain Reuben went to the forecastle:

  "Keep it up, lads. You won't have much longer to row, for the windis coming. The Spaniards are after us, but they won't be up for aquarter of an hour, and I hope we shall get it before that.Remember, every yard we can keep away from them is of importance.Put your backs to it, lads."

  The Swan carried four boats and, strongly manned as these were, shewas gliding through the water at a fair rate. It was five minutesbefore another breath of wind came, but this lasted three or fourminutes, and greatly relieved the strain from the hawsers.

  "She is going through the water now," the captain said. "Theycannot be gaining very much upon us, at present.

  "Confound it!" he added, a minute later. "There is an end of itagain."

  The boats were now but half a mile away, and the voices of theofficers, urging the rowers to exert themselves, could be plainlyheard, On the Swan the officers were all gazing in the directionfrom which the wind was to come. The yards were all braced sharplyaft. Presently there was an exclamation of relief, as they felt thewind in their faces, and the vessel heeled a little over. The boatsbehind were but a quarter of a mile away now, while those from thevessels inshore were perhaps twice that distance.

  "If this is the true breeze we are safe," the captain said. "Ifnot, we shall have to fight for it."

  The men had already, without orders, cast loose the guns, and armedthemselves with pike and cutlass.

  "Now listen, lads," the captain said, as he went forward to thepoop rail, "if these fellows come up and try to board us, let noman utter a word. Fight like bulldogs, and as silently. We shallbeat them off, never fear. No doubt they believe that we are theircountrymen, who have broken their trading regulations, and areafraid
of being overhauled. But if there is a word spoken they willknow that we are foreigners, and we shall be chased wherever wego."

  Then he went to the forecastle, and bade all the men in the boatscast off the hawsers and come on board. They were, indeed, nolonger of any use, as the vessel was going through the water almostas fast as they could row ahead of her. As they gained the deck herepeated the orders he had given--that strict silence should beobserved, in case the Spaniards came alongside.

  Everything now depended on continuance of breeze, and those onboard the boats saw that the vessel was now holding her own withthem. Orders to throw the ship up into the wind and heave to wereshouted and, as no attention was paid to these, several musketshots were fired at her; but the wind held and, faster and faster,the Swan made her way through the water. At last the boats fellbehind, and were lost to sight.

  "We are safe now," Reuben said, exultantly. "We are to windward ofthem all, and shall have them well out of sight, before morning."

  When day broke, indeed, the topsails of three of the Spanish shipscould be seen on the horizon; but in two or three hours these sankout of sight, and the Swan was headed on her course west.