Named Sherlock

by Bagatur Zhamkochyan

  - Thank you sir. I'll memorise.

  - You'll remember, Miss. These are dangerous places, there a lot of things you should not do, and a lot of where you should not climb. And by the way, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to go down into the cabin, a couple of hours, we'll be there. I suppose you want to disembark?

  - Yes, of course - I answered for everyone.

  - The ship will not go to the port, we will stand at anchor in the bay, just outside the breakwater, and the water will be lowered a boat, which will be delivered fresh supply of fresh water and food. You can use it. Keep in mind that if you decide to go on to the "Petrel", then you will want to come back until morning.

  - And much more go "Petrel"? Mr. Tonberri said that coming you kakieto teachings, but did not specify where.

  - Mr Tonberri - Ellington captain grinned - a very long tongue. If he was not my old friend ... - he paused meaningfully.

  - Sir, it's nothing I have not said no more details. I just wanted to clarify, to see if we do not it will be easier to do with you for part of the way to Belize?

  The captain thought for a few seconds, then said:

  - Let me give you one piece of advice. Of course, you can continue the voyage on board the "Petrel". The next point, where we replenish supplies will KastilaSerra Town, Belize is certainly much closer from him. Yes, but in fact it is not a city at all, but an old, almost ruined fort. There's a mission and a small village of the local savages, only the court to go every few weeks, at best, and sometimes even less. But from PuertoBello to Belize, established a permanent sales message, so I am sure that within a couple of days, you will find a suitable boat.

  - Thank you, sir.

  After talking with the captain, we got back into the cockpit - the familiar, gloomy room.

  - And, gentlemen, here you are! Join? - Mr. Langdon and Tennyson were sitting there and playing some political card game.

  - No, thank you - I gave up once, and then looked at Donny. He also shook his head. - We are, with your permission, will abstain.

  - That's your business. Well, have you heard? After a couple of hours the land, which means what?

  - What? - I tried to be as polite to Tennyson, but I felt that my smile, turned to him - utterly false.

  - And the fact that since the arrival of this blessed continent, start executing the terms of our agreement with you. And so, I ask to give us an advance. It is not clear how much time we'll manage, so much will not be impudent. During the first ten days, if you please! Fifty gold!

  Catching the look of surprise when he saw Donnie and cocked eyebrow Marissa, I sighed. Well, they do not know how many now are the services of mercenaries. Counting money, I suddenly realized that not much would be upset if Tennyson decided to run away with them at the port. I am sure that one Langdon would be enough to ensure our safety.

  After receiving the money, the men continued to play cards.

  - Sherlock, let's go, we will discuss our future plans - Marissa, softly approached, nodded to the far corner of the room, where, in the general store, was sitting Donnie.

  - My friend, are you completely lost mind? - suddenly she snarled at me as soon as we had just arrived on site. - Why would you decide to pay such denzhischi these crooks? Yes, one hundred gold could hire two dozen thugs, each of which is not at all yield to this couple.

  - Marissa, calm down. They are true experts in their field, know the terrain, familiar with Aboriginal and local traditions. In addition, skilled hunters and masters of survival in the jungle.

  - Sherlock, you do not know the value of money. All that you have listed, it is not worth hundreds of gold. I have an old friend - the girl hesitated, then continued, glancing at Donny - from ... the old life. So - he served twelve years in the Merchant Navy, hit the wreck, was sold into slavery, he lived with the Indians a few years until it was finally able to return to Londinium. He shoots out of everything, including the bow, able to throw knives and spears, knows all the local dialects of the natives and can bare hands to kill the jaguar. Well, at least that's what he says. So, the man we hired one ... ahem ... the cause for one gold. For five gold, he would have gone with you to the ends of the earth.

  - Yes, I have no doubt. But these people have recommended as the best, and then, among other things - I believe them. Although I did not like Mr. Tennyson, I do not expect from him in the back of the knife, but from your "experts" - it is quite possible to get.

  - Are you sure that they can be trusted? - she still looked unhappy. Apparently, my argument did not seem too significant.

  - Not sure. But I am convinced that these people have an impeccable reputation, and they spoil it will not.

  - Well, let's see. I will not point out to you how to spend the money, but just in case - do not relax, be always ready.

  - Good. By the way - I remembered the words of the captain of onward travel options - we really should discuss further plans. Now check with specialists.

  I turned back to the players:

  - Gentlemen, I want to consult with you about our further voyage. Our captain gave us a choice - either to continue the voyage to "Stormy Petrel" to KastilaSerra or search the ship, following on the desired route to us here in PuertoBello. What do you think?

  - What to say? KastilaSerra - a hell hole, once there, we risk to stay there until old age. Although, if you want to beat the rest of his fish spear and marry Aboriginal dirty - then this is a great choice! - Tennyson laughed.

  - Session, let not agree with you, - asked the Tennyson Mr. Langdon.

  - Do not call me by my name, man. You know, I hate him! - man's voice rose sharply. And I must say here that I fully supported him - if I called Sessilom, I too would hide my name.

  - All right, mate, - he continued - but you're wrong. KastilaSerra not such a hole. Let's start with the fact that many vessels sailing on the Northwest from any of the northern Panamanian ports, though PuertoBello, even columns, anchoring it in KastilaSerra to replenish stocks of fresh water, as there is very convenient bay with a deep enough for ships deep draft. Then, the local fishermen well-developed shipbuilding.

  - Shipbuilding? The natives?

  - Well, maybe it's too loud word, but I happened to float on their boats, they call them proato. I tell you, it's nimble boats, besides quite lifting.

  - And what do you suggest? Sail "Petrel", and then transfer to the native boat? Even if we ignore the risk of travel along the coast to a fragile little boat, you think it will be much longer?

  - Not at all, Mr. Brown. "Petrel" - dineyny ship Navy Her Majesty. If we sail on it, you win a couple of days, at least. It is, even if we assume that we will not have to spend several days in the port, waiting for the right vessel. As for the distance from KastilaSerra to Belize, then three to four hundred kilometers along the coast, we will overcome peacefully on proato. And do not forget about the money - you do not think you are going to take for free? And my method allows great savings.

  Um, actually, about the money I had quite forgotten. Let it not sail across the Atlantic, but that remains to be the road home, and at all to the fact that with it we are so lucky.

  - All right, Mr. Langdon, I will think about your idea - in any case, we have time till morning, it was possible to solve this issue is already on the beach.

  Honestly, I hesitated, and is very strong. The proposal of Mr. Langdon smelled odd risk, but an opportunity to save time and, more importantly, the money has been very powerful argument. Option, which said the captain - was the stability, reliability and, at the same time, obviously more expensive. A further disadvantage was that it advocated for the session, Mr. Tennyson, who is so annoying.

  - In general, we decide all on the beach - do not hurry, you need to think about it slowly, to consult with Donny and Marissa. And then, suddenly, as soon as we get off at the beach - we will have to wait for the right ship? This possibility is also not worth it to drop.

  - As you say, Mr. Brown. You pay, you and decide - Tennyson, without another word, he
returned to the game.

  - Well, what do you think? - I turned to friends, once again we have moved away from playing.

  - With regard to how we can get better? - said Donnie.

  - Exactly.

  - Hard to tell. If I were in your place, I would have thought about safety first. Money is money, but there is a risk and did not get there.

  - And what do you think? - I turned to Marissa.

  - And I would have listened to the words of Langdon. Yes, there is a risk, but he was right about the money. Imagine what would happen if we successfully pass all the way, but we can not go back, because they do not have anything to buy a ticket on a ship? A risk ... Well, not if you have to hire those expensive loafers that they protect us from all dangers?

  Hmm. Opinions were divided again. Well, that is really all decide on the shore. Suddenly, a miracle happens, and in the port will wait for the ship that will take us directly to Belize, and with almost free? It is unlikely, of course, but all of a sudden?

  Seated on a wooden bench, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I did not want to talk. And until the moment when the cockpit again appeared malchishkayunga shouting that we arrived, I remembered my former life, parents, other earrings ... I wonder how they got there?

  - PuertoBello passengers ashore!

  Rising after the boy on the deck, I first looked into the show on the horizon the land. Stone pier, cut off the still water of the bay from the open sea, he was practically next door, and peered could see a long line of guns directed toward the big water. The very same strip of coast was pretty far out details was impossible.

  - Well, Mr. Brown, I wish you success in your venture. If you decide to still continue the voyage with us, keep in mind, the boat will stay in port until dawn. Your things are already shipped.

  - Thank you, Captain, - I will gladly shook hands. - I was very pleased to meet you.

  Awkwardly into the boat, I nearly fell overboard. To my relief, I was not the worst in this test - Donnie managed to get entangled in the ropes and would definitely dive, if he had not grabbed by the scruff of one of the sailors. But Marissa, despite a long skirt down the rope ladder so easily and naturally, as if it were her daily activities. Just as it is done smartly and mercenaries.

  - Well, forward to the adventure!

  Slamming, turned a small square sail, four rowers in unison struck oars on the water and we swam forward to the adventure.

  About an hour took us out to finally reach the shore. Half an hour had to devote to it in order to pay rent land port warehouse and reload things. I must say that even then I started to feel a distinct advantage from the fact that listened to Mr. Murray's advice and did not save. Leaving us with Tennyson to protect luggage, Mr. Langdon ran, arranged for its storage, as well as to reserve a place in a local hotel.

  However, before you send boxes of weapons in temporary storage, bore Tennyson insisted that each of us took out a revolver and a box of ammunition. And if Marissa, this requirement has not caused the slightest objection, I also understood the need for weapons, Donnie took his revolver with some caution.

  - Lady, I think you will not be difficult to teach your groom's handling of it, is not it?

  - I'll manage, do not worry, session - one looked at Tennyson with ill-concealed hostility. It seems that before the end of the journey end up being yourself a couple of extra enemies.

  - So, what have you again for the showdown? Lord, let me remind you that we are a team, so not worth it to annoy each other once again - Langdon is back just in time to put out the escalating conflict. - I took three rooms at the "ParaisoAki" hotel, two ordinary and luxury for ladies. I advise everyone to have a rest and change, then it will be possible to see the area. I assure you, here you can find a lot of interesting things.

  Yes, a proposal for a change of clothes was really very important. If at first I did not pay attention to the heat, but now felt the full impact of it - a dark coat, drew the sun's rays, and I myself looked hot.

  - And by the way, Mr. Brown. If you allow me, I would have to go to the harbor master, inquire about the ships coming toward Belize.

  Without hesitation, I accepted with great pleasure. Of course, the case - in the first place, but since I have the opportunity to pass them on to other shoulders, that is just silly not to use it! Especially, I really wanted to see the city. Sure Donny Marissa thought the same way, taking into account the interest with which the two twisted his head from side to side.

  A look really was something. The first thing that caught my eye, it's dozens of colorful lodchonok scurrying tudasyuda in port waters. Apparently, some of them were floating shops, and one I noticed a small boy with a monkey on a leash, juggles kakimito local fruits. It was clear that they were fed in at anchor at the entrance to the bay ships.

  The town itself is just stunned me obnoxious noise and din. And the real world in which I grew up, and virtual Londinium - all these places different emotional restraint of residents, then I immediately had the feeling that I got into igrushkikaleydoskopa. All the running around, screaming, flashed bright dresses krasnooranzhevozheltozelenye smuglokozhih tuzemok, simultaneously smelled flowers, spoiled fruit and fish, and in addition to this bedlam out loud and very nasty screaming gulls, occasionally flying so close overhead that by flapping their wings moving hair.

  - Well, in the hotel?

  - Yes, yes, come as quickly as possible - Marissa wiped her drenched in sweat forehead with the back of his hand. - There's hot as hell in the pan!

  To the hotel, we went on foot, the good he was very close, just two blocks away. It was a two-story colonial-style building, white, almost up to the roof full of local vine entwined with bright red flowers and sickly sweet smell. From the hall of the hotel, through the open door, overlooking the courtyard, all the space that was occupied by a variety of colorful vegetation, against which nearly lost a few benches for relaxing and a small fountain.

  - Well, gentlemen, I propose to proceed as follows: - Mr. Langdon smiled as usual, he seemed to have never lost the enthusiasm and good humor. - We settle down, relax, have a snack. Next - I'm going back to the port, to learn about the ship, and I advise you to walk on the native market, accompanied by Mr. Tennyson. I assure you, you will get a lot of positive emotions!

  Looking at the gloomy Tennyson, I somehow doubted at once that this man, in principle, capable of positive emotions, as well as the fact that he admitted to them we enjoyed.

  - Can we do a walk? It is not necessary to accompany us ... - it seems that Donnie shared my fears.

  - Mister, do you walk alone in their living room, and I'm not sure that you have not managed to break its neck. And I get paid for your safety, so I'm going with you, whether you like it or not. Clear?

  Seeing that Donnie begins purple, I hastened to intervene:

  - Yes, we all understand, Mr. Tennyson, you are absolutely right. Let's quickly finish with talking and go upstairs.

  Entering the room, I was prepared to listen to streams of righteous indignation and Donnie was not mistaken.

  - Sherlock, if one day this person's head will fall from the window of a brick, I will not cry! You can then swear to me that you want to do, but if he once again allow to talk to me or Marissa like that ... I'm just going to break his face!

  I did not aloud to doubt the ability of Donnie do so because they do not want to spoil his mood completely. Therefore, it agreed that it is certainly a very sensible decision. A little more poburliv, each gradually calmed down. Dressed in white linen trousers and a light shirt, we hurried to come down.

  In the hotel lobby still was empty, except for the reception desk dozing. Yielding to an instantaneous impulse, I asked Donny to wait a minute, back up to the room and opened the bag, where all swimming lay motionless Joy. Comforting themselves with the thought that it is unlikely someone will guess from the local population about its real value, I turned the key to lock. And after a few seconds, squealing with joy, dog jumping around me, mercilessly t
hrashing tail.

  - Everybody, everybody, Joey. Calm down, boy, you hear?

  He froze, faithfully looking into my eyes. It is interesting to understand the words or just reacted to the voice? I put my hand on his withers. Surprisingly, casing, brass shell with engraving, simply simulates the actual dog's coat, he seemed warm and slightly springy under his fingers, as if she were made of hard rubber, not metal.

  - Now, my friend, we'll go with you for a walk. I hope that you will behave as a good mannered dog, okay?

  Joy silently bowed his head as if listening attentively to my words, one ear sticking out funny.

  - That's just how do you go instead? I need a leash.

  After seeing the room, I could not find anything that could be used in this capacity. Belt? No, too short ... And this, by the way, you can try!

  Handing over his sword belt, I built some piece of her likeness collar with a reason. Crossbow had just put into his trouser pocket, another pocket - thrusting a removable clip. But the gun did not take it, hid it under the mattress, thinking that of me as a shooter and so little sense, especially when handling the weapons, which I previously had no case.

  Joy obediently gave to throw himself on the neck loop, designed to play the role of a collar, and even responded to the command: "Next", a clear frozen in my right foot.

  - Good dog! Clever!

  Winding tighter fist "leash" I reached for the door, but she opened herself. On the threshold stood Donnie.

  - Why are you taking so long? Everything is already in the collection, just waiting for you - look down on him Joey. - Why are you dragging with this toy?

  - Joy - not a toy.

  We decided to have breakfast there in the hotel, on the outdoor terrace. Sun initially seemed scorching only in contrast to the memories of promorozhennaya through Londinium. Now I was getting a great pleasure, substituting face warm rays. Sweet smell of flowers overflowed everywhere, even interrupting flavors baked seafood, which brought a tray with a beautiful girl, dressed in very colorful, apparently, national, clothes.