Yanez, believing that Darma and Sir Moreland were still asleep, left the shelter and went off to look for a few gull eggs to cook for breakfast.
Having spotted numerous birds nesting in an outcrop forty metres above him, the Portuguese began to climb among the rocks and boulders. He had gone up about fifteen metres, when several cries suddenly reached his ears.
Yanez quickly turned about and flattened himself against a rock. A large launch manned by a half dozen islanders had just arrived at the mouth of the tiny roadstead.
“By Jupiter!” he exclaimed, quickly sliding down the rock. “They’ve come for their revenge after all! Let’s hope they don’t try to settle the score with a few bullets in my hide.”
Once clear of the boulders he rushed toward the shelter, shouting:
“Get up, get up!”
“Has the King of the Sea returned?” the captain asked groggily.
“No, it’s the islanders!” replied Yanez. “They’re about to land.”
“Did they see you?”
“I’m afraid so, they spotted me climbing the rocks as I was searching for breakfast.”
“Where are they now?” asked Darma.
“Rounding the reef, they’ll be here soon.”
“Coming to take us prisoner, no doubt.”
“It’s likely,” replied the captain, a strange light in his eyes.
“I’m going to see what they’re up to,” said Yanez. “The two of you stay here.”
“Sir Moreland,” said Darma once they were alone, noticing that the captain appeared thoughtful. “They won’t execute Señor Yanez, will they?”
“They might. They’ll want to make him pay dearly for the coal.”
“As a British officer, you could protect him.”
“Protect him!” said the captain, surprised by those words.
“You’ll just let them take him?”
Sir Moreland crossed his arms as his gaze fell upon the young woman. His face had grown hard, almost savage, and his eyes blazed with hatred.
“Sir Moreland?” asked the young woman. “Yanez rescued you from certain death and he’s always treated you more like a guest than a prisoner.”
The captain remained silent.
“He’s my enemy,” he muttered finally, his voice little more than a whisper.
“Sir Moreland! My father and I owe Señor Yanez our lives. You’re an honourable man, please do not disappoint me!”
The captain stifled a curse.
“Very well,” he said, “I’ll pay my debt; this will make us even.”
He turned and left the shelter, barely able to contain his agitation.
“I’ll find him again someday,” he murmured darkly as he advanced over the rocks.
The men in the launch had just come ashore and taken up their rifles. At first glance they appeared to be European; one of the governor’s councillors was among them.
One of them had spotted Yanez and climbed the dune, behind which the Portuguese had tried to hide, and shouted menacingly:
“There’s no point in hiding, pirate! Show yourself!”
The Portuguese did not wait for the invitation to be repeated, he stood up, and said mockingly:
“Good day, sir, come for an early-morning hunt?”
“You have guts, you scoundrel, I’ll give you that,” said the islander. “But you can’t fool us; we’ll make you pay for every lump of coal you stole!”
“Me? A coal thief!?!” the Portuguese exclaimed. “What tales are these? Take a closer look, sir; I’d say you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
“Didn’t you come ashore from that pirate ship?”
“Pirates! I’m a castaway, and I’ve never stolen anything in my life. I am a gentleman.”
“You’re a pirate!”
A voice thundered from behind the dune. It was Sir Moreland, advancing toward them at a run.
“Are you calling us thieves?” he shouted indignantly. “Who dares accuse a captain in the service of the Rajah of Sarawak?”
Though Sir Moreland’s uniform was almost black with oil, the sight of an officer had stunned the islander into silence.
“Well, explain yourselves! Why were you shouting those threats?” asked Sir Moreland, feigning great anger.
“An English captain!” the islander exclaimed finally. “How is this possible?”
He cupped his hands around his mouth, turned toward the beach and shouted:
“To me, men!”
Five men, appeared atop the dunes, their old muskets levelled menacingly. At the sight of Sir Moreland they immediately lowered their weapons and removed their hats.
“Captain,” resumed their leader. “When did you land, sir?”
“Last night. I came ashore with my sister and my friend. We survived a terrible shipwreck,” said Sir Moreland.
“We’ll take you to Mangalum where you’ll be treated as our guests. It won’t be long before you’re rescued.”
“You’re expecting a ship?”
“Yesterday we spotted a small British warship off the island’s northern shore. She headed for open water to ride out that hurricane, but we’re certain she’ll be back.”
“When did you see her?”
“Shortly before sundown. Was that your ship?”
“No, my ship sank in the early afternoon, about forty miles from here.”
“Were you in pursuit of the pirate vessel?”
“I was looking for it.”
“If only you’d arrived first! Those thieves wouldn’t have dared come ashore.”
“We’ll catch them, I assure you.”
“But, begging your pardon, Captain, did you say this man is a friend of yours?”
“That’s correct,” said Sir Moreland. “He was shipwrecked along with my sister and I.”
“He bears a striking resemblance to one of those pirates.”
“He’s an honest merchant from Labuan, you have my word.”
“Ah!” said the captain of the launch.
Darma arrived just as they had finished that exchange. The islanders greeted her courteously and helped her into their boat. Yanez had remained calm and made himself comfortable on the bow, trying to light his cigarettes but without much success.
Though he showed little concern, deep down, he was troubled by the warship’s unexpected appearance.
The situation was growing more and more complex. Sir Moreland would undoubtedly want revenge; once the ship arrived he would probably be taken aboard as a prisoner, provided a worse fate did not befall him first. The islanders kept giving him strange looks; it was unlikely they believed the captain’s story.
The launch pulled away from the beach. Four men had taken up the oars; a fifth sat at the bow close to Yanez, the sixth, the leader, manned the tiller.
This last gentleman was a handsome old man with bronzed skin and a thick white beard, who at first glance reminded Yanez of one of the governor’s four councillors.
Perhaps he had not been mistaken, for from time to time the old man would fix his blue eyes on the Portuguese and study his face intently.
However, he had been nothing but courteous; he had offered Darma the place of honour at the stern and had even wrapped his oilskin cloak about her shoulders to protect her from the waves.
The sea was still restless beyond the roadstead. Large waves rocked the launch, making her pitch among the foam. The oarsmen, however, held their own, accustomed to the choppy waters and harsh winds common to those shores. Once past the reef, they hoisted a small triangular sail and the launch began to speed toward the isle of Mangalum. The islanders remained silent, though their leader’s eyes frequently returned to the castaways, his gaze always resting upon Yanez.
Despite the violent waves, they completed the short journey without incident, and towards midday the launch made shore at the edge of Mangalum’s small bay.
“We’ll get out here,” said the captain, taking Darma by the hand as she stepped out onto the beach. “You’l
l find our island a bit more hospitable.”
Though the words had been friendly, the tone had been mocking, and had immediately raised Yanez’ suspicions. He was certain now, the old man had recognized him, and if the King of the Sea did not return soon, his days could soon come to an end.
Sir Moreland must have had the same thought for his face was lined with worry.
The islanders dragged the launch to the beach. Once it was clear of the water, they drew out their muskets, slung them over their shoulders and promptly formed a ring about the castaways.
“Where are you taking us?” asked Sir Moreland, growing ever more uneasy.
“To my home,” the captain replied.
Not a single islander had appeared from the houses lining the slope. They had either not noticed the launch’s return or had preferred to remain in their huts, the rain having started to fall once again.
The captain crossed the square and led the castaways into a handsome cottage of wood and stone, a tattered cloth flew from its pointed roof, the remnants of an old British flag.
He opened the door and invited Sir Moreland, Yanez and Darma to enter, then, as his men levelled their muskets, turned toward an old man smoking by a window in the corner.
“Governor, do you recognize this man?” he asked, pointing to Yanez. “Get a good look at him; is he not one of the scoundrels that stole our coal?”
“This is outrageous!” the Portuguese exclaimed furiously.
The old man had promptly gotten up and fixed his eyes on Yanez. “Yes, he’s the one! Their leader!” shouted the governor. “You won’t escape us now, my friend. The British will hang you from the tallest mast on their ship. Pirate!”
“Who are you calling a pirate?” exclaimed Yanez, raising his fist.
Sir Moreland quickly intervened.
“There’ll be no violence here! I forbid it, in the name of Her Majesty Queen Victoria!”
The old man who appeared to have been unaware, until then, of the captain’s presence, looked at him in amazement.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“The uniform should make it obvious.”
“Is your ship in the bay?”
“No, she was destroyed in battle several miles from here.”
“You’re not from that ship that signalled us last night?”
“No, I was rescued this morning along with them.”
“Along with this man?” the governor asked with ever-increasing amazement.
“Yes, with him and this young woman.”
“A British captain, a young woman, and a pirate! An odd company to say the least. You played your part well, sir, but I’m not fool enough to believe your story.”
“He told us earlier that he’d been shipwrecked,” said one of the islanders.
“I swear on my honour that I am Captain Sir James Moreland, formerly of the Anglo-Indian navy, and now in the service of the Rajah of Sarawak.”
“And what proof do you offer to back up this claim?”
“Unfortunately I have none; my ship is now at the bottom of the sea.”
“And this man? How did he end up with you? Two days ago he was with those pirates.”
“As I told your men, my ship was wrecked a few miles from here. The three of us jumped into a launch and made it to the island shortly before the hurricane erupted.”
“Or perhaps you’re the leader of those pirates dressed in the guise of a British officer?”
“Old man!” howled Yanez. “Stop calling us pirates. The captain serves the Rajah of Sarawak.”
“You’re pirates.”
“What did I take from you?”
“Our coal.”
“It was the government’s, not yours.”
“And our animals.”
“Which we paid for,” replied Yanez, on the verge of losing his temper. “I’m sure you still have the draft for the bank in Pontianak in your pocket, we could have taken everything without paying you a cent.”
“And therefore I should just let you go?” said the governor, a wry smile upon his lips. “The British ship will be here before long, we’ll see how your tale fares with her captain. Personally, I hope to see you swing from the ship’s tallest yardarm.”
“I wager you’ll be making your apologies to me,” said Sir Moreland, barely able to contain his mounting anger. “I warn you, touch so much as a hair on this young woman or this gentleman, and I’ll order the British to shell this island with their cannons.”
“Very, well,” laughed the governor. “You’ll be treated as prisoners of war... for the moment. Ah, my dear pirates, you’ll pay dearly for our livestock and every lump of coal you stole from the British government. You should never try to get the best of a man like myself.”
“We shall see,” said Sir Moreland. “In the meantime, if the warship is still within sight of the island, signal her that you have an important message to relay.”
“It would appear you’re in a great hurry to hang,” replied the governor. “Very well, I’ll do whatever I can to fulfill your wishes.”
He turned towards the men that had brought them ashore. They had watched that exchange with their muskets level, determined to shoot the prisoners at the first sign of trouble.
“Take them to the storehouse and make sure they don’t escape. There’s sure to be a reward for them.”
“Let’s go,” said their leader, pushing Yanez roughly towards the door. “Save your lies for the British.”
Realizing it would have been dangerous to protest any further, the captain, the Portuguese and Darma allowed themselves to be led away.
They crossed the square and were taken into a building made of thick sturdy stone. On entering, they found themselves in a large room, about fifty metres long, empty, save for a few mounds of dried fish and several barrels of fat; the roof was supported by stone pillars hewn from the island’s hills.
“Are you hungry?” asked the leader of the small escort.
“I’d rather be hung on an empty stomach,” Yanez replied mockingly.
“Later then. Don’t try anything foolish, we’ll fire if you attempt to escape.”
That said, they shut the door and barred it from the outside.
Despite their dire circumstances, Sir Moreland, Yanez and Darma, looked at each other and smiled.
“What do you think of our adventure so far, Sir Moreland?” asked the young woman.
“If there really is a British ship nearby, it’ll soon come to an end,” replied the captain.
“For you, yes, but I doubt we’ll be given our freedom. When her captain learns we’re pirates, he won’t hesitate to hang us.”
“Or at the very least he’ll have us taken to Labuan to stand trial,” added Yanez. “The joy that’ll bring their governor; he still harbours a few old grudges against me.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to prevent that from happening,” replied the captain.
“We’ve put you in an awkward position, Sir Moreland,” said Darma.
“I don’t think so, Miss. There’s a good chance I may know the captain of that ship. If so, you have nothing to fear. Señor de Gomera has behaved as a gentleman towards me, and I plan to return the favour.”
“You bear no hard feelings for what happened in Rejang?”
“All is fair in war, Miss. It was a clever trick; I bear no grudge toward you or your guardians.”
“You’re too kind, Sir Moreland.”
“No better or worse than others would be in my position. Ah!”
A cannon blast thundered from outside, shaking the storehouse to its foundations.
“A warship!” exclaimed the captain.
“Friends or foes?” asked Yanez.
“We’ll know soon enough.”
Both men rushed towards the door and began to kick at it shouting:
“Open up! Open up!”
“Silence!” thundered a menacing voice. “Move back from the door, or we’ll open fire!”
Chapter 10
A WAVE OF deafening cheers and musket volleys had greeted that cannon blast, cries of joy, for the British warship, not the King of the Sea, had been the first ship to return.
Not wanting to provoke the sentry, Yanez and Sir Moreland had moved away from the door. Still determined to catch a glimpse of the ship, they attempted to climb to a small fissure they had spotted just below the ceiling. The walls, however, proved to be too high to scale and they were soon forced to abandon their efforts.
“Bah!” said the captain. “Just as well, we probably won’t have very long to wait.”
“I wonder if she’s from Labuan,” said Yanez.
“Most likely. It sounds like they’ve already come ashore; hear those hurrahs?”
“The islanders are giving them a hearty welcome.”
“They won’t be cheering for much longer. That fool of a governor is about to... Listen! The cries are getting closer; they’re coming to free us.”
“The islanders probably assume they’re coming to hang us,” said Darma.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d already prepared the gallows,” said Yanez with a smile.
Voices could now be heard on the other side of the door. A moment later the bars were pulled back and the governor appeared in the doorway, accompanied by a young man with blue eyes and a long blonde beard, dressed in a naval uniform. Behind them stood a squad of armed sailors, bayonets drawn and levelled, surrounded by an angry crowd of islanders.
“That’s them! Just as I said! Pirates!” shouted the old man, pointing to the prisoners. “Arrest them! We’ll hang ‘em all.”
But to his amazement, instead of ordering his sailors to advance, the lieutenant rushed toward Sir Moreland, shouting:
“Captain! Is it really you? You’re still alive!”
“Your eyes do not deceive you, my dear Leyland!” exclaimed Sir Moreland. “It’s good to see you, my friend!”
While the lieutenant and the captain embraced, the governor, shaken by that unexpected scene, scratched his head and began to shout angrily.
“He’s one of them! He’s a pirate! Take a good look at him, Lieutenant! You may be mistaken! He’s a pirate I tell you!”
Sandokan: The King of the Sea (The Sandokan Series Book 5) Page 22