Part 12 (1/2)

”Panama. 'Tis one of the ports mentioned in your advertis.e.m.e.nt?”

”It is, senor.”

”Well, for this freight--as I've told you, about a ton, with some trifling household effects--and the three pa.s.sengers, how much?”

”The terms of freight, as you may be aware, are usually rated according to the cla.s.s of goods. Is it gold, senor? From your description. I suppose it is.”

The skipper has guessed aright. It is gold, nearly a ton of it, accruing to Don Gregorio from the sale of his land, for which he has been paid in dust and nuggets, at that time the only coin in California--indeed, the only circulating medium, since notes were not to be had.

”Suppose it to be gold,” he answers guardedly, ”how much then?”

The _ex-ganadero_ is by no means a n.i.g.g.ardly man; still, he would like to have his treasure transported at a rate not exorbitant. And yet he is anxious about its safety; and for this reason has resolved to s.h.i.+p it with secrecy in a private trading-vessel, instead of by one of the regular liners, that have already commenced plying between San Francisco and Panama. He has heard that these are crowded with miners returning home; rough fellows, many of them queer characters--some little better than bandits. He dislikes the idea of trusting his gold among them, and equally his girls, since no other ladies are likely to be going that way. He has full faith in the integrity of Captain Lantanas; knows the Chilian to be a man of gentle heart--in fact, a gentleman. Don Tomas has told him all this.

Under the circ.u.mstances, and with such a man, it will not do to drive too hard a bargain; and Don Gregorio, thus reflecting, at length confesses his freight to be gold bullion, and asks the skipper to name his terms.

Lantanas, after a moment spent in mental calculation, says:

”One thousand dollars for the freight, and a hundred each for the three pa.s.sages. Will that satisfy you, senor?”

”It seems a large sum,” rejoins Don Gregorio. ”But I am aware prices are high just now; so I agree to it. When will you be ready to sail?”

”I am ready now, senor--that is, if--”

”If what?”

Lantanas, remembering his crewless s.h.i.+p, does not make immediate answer.

”If,” says the Spaniard, noticing his hesitation, and mistaking the reason--”if you're calculating on any delay from me, you needn't. I can have everything on board in three or four days--a week at the utmost.”

The skipper is still silent, thinking of excuses. He dislikes losing the chance of such a profitable cargo, and yet knows he cannot name any certain time of sailing, for the want of hands to work his vessel.

There seems no help for it but to confess his shortcomings. Perhaps Don Gregorio will wait till the _Condor_ can get a crew. The more likely, since every other vessel in port is in a similar predicament.

”Senor,” he says at length, ”my s.h.i.+p is at your service; and I should be pleased and proud to have you and your ladies as my pa.s.sengers. But there's a little difficulty to be got over before I can weigh anchor.”

”Clearance duties--port dues to be paid. You want the pa.s.sage-money advanced, I presume? Well, I shall not object to prepaying it in part.

How much will you require?”

”_Mil gracias_, Senor Montijo. It's not anything of the kind. Although far from rich, thank Heaven, neither I nor my craft is under embargo. I could sail out of San Francisco in half-an-hour, but for the want of--”

”Want of what?” asks Don Gregorio in some surprise.

”Well, senor--sailors.”

”What! Have you no sailors?”

”I am sorry to say, not one.”

”Well, Captain Lantanas, I thought it strange observing n.o.body aboard your s.h.i.+p--except that black fellow. But I supposed your sailors had gone ash.o.r.e.”

”So have they, senor; and intend staying there. Alas! that's the trouble. They've gone off to the gold-diggings--every one of them, except my negro cook. Likely enough, I should have lost him too, but he knows that California is now part of the United States, and fears that some speculating Yankee might make a slave of him, or that perchance he might meet his old master: for he has had one.”