Part 50 (2/2)
”Besides,” continues the older of the ex-convicts, ”this job seems to me simple enuf. We want the swag, an' some may want the weemen. Well, we can git both 'ithout the needcessity o' doin' murder!”
Striker's remonstrance sounds strange--under the circ.u.mstances, serio-comical.
”What might you call murder?” mockingly asks Padilla. ”Is there any difference between their getting their breath stopped by drowning, or the cutting of their throats? Not much to them, I take it; and no more to us. If there's a distinction, it's so nice I can't see it.
_Carramba_! no!”
”Whether you see it or not,” interposes Harry Blew, ”there be much; and for myself, as I've said, I object to spillin' blood, where the thing an't absolute needcessary. True, by leavin them aboard an' tied, as Mr Gomez suggests, they'll get drowned, for sartin; but it'll at least keep our hands clear o' blood murder!”
”That's true!” cried several in a.s.sent. ”Let's take the Australian way of it, and tie them up!”
The a.s.senting voices are nearly unanimous; and the eccentric compromise is carried.
So far everything is fixed, and it but remains to arrange about the action, and apportion to every one his part.
For this very few words suffice, the apportionment being, that the first officer, a.s.sisted by Davis, who has some knowledge of s.h.i.+p-carpentry, is to see to the scuttling of the vessel; Gomez and Hernandez to take charge of the girls, and get them into the boat; Slush to look after the steering; Padilla to head the party entrusted with the seizure of the gold; while Striker, a.s.sisted by Tarry and the Frenchman, is to secure the unfortunate men by fast binding, or, as he calls it, ”sticking them up.”
The atrocious plan is complete, in all its revolting details--the hour of execution at hand.
CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.
THE TINTORERAS.
With all sail set, the barque glides silently on to her doom.
Gomez now ”cons” Slush the steering, he alone having any knowledge of the coast. They are but a half-league from land, shaving close along the outer edge of the breakers. The breeze blowing off-sh.o.r.e makes it easy to keep clear of them.
There is high land on the starboard bow, gradually drawing to the beam.
Gomez remembers it; for in the clear moonlight is disclosed the outline of a hill, which, once seen, could not easily be forgotten; a _cerro_ with two summits, and a _col_ or saddle-like depression between.
Still, though a conspicuous landmark, it does not indicate any anchorage; only that they are entering a great gulf which indents the Veraguan coast.
As the barque glides on, he observes a reach of clear water opening inland; to all appearance a bay, its mouth miles in width.
He would run her into it, but is forbidden by the breakers, whose froth-crested belt extends across the entrance from cape to cape.
Running past, he again closes in upon the land, and soon has the two-headed hill abeam, its singular silhouette conspicuous against the moonlit sky. All the more from the moon being directly beyond it, and low down, showing between the twin summits like a great globe-shaped lamp there suspended.
When nearly opposite, Gomez notes an open s.p.a.ce in the line of breakers, easily told by its dark tranquil surface, which contrasts with the white horse-tails las.h.i.+ng up on each side of it.
Soon as sighting it, the improvised pilot leaves the helm, after giving Slush some final instructions about the steering. Then forsaking the p.o.o.p, he proceeds towards the s.h.i.+p's waist, where he finds all the others ready for action. Striker and La Crosse with pieces of rope for making fast the ill-fated men; Padilla and his party armed with axes and crowbars--the keys with which they intend to open the locker-doors.
Near the mainmast stands the first mate, a lighted lantern in his hand; Davis beside him, with auger, mallet, and chisel. They are by the hatchway, which they have opened, intending descent into the hold. With the lantern concealed under the skirt of his ample dreadnought, Harry Blew stands within the shadow of the mast, as if reflecting on his faithlessness--ashamed to let his face be seen. He even appears reluctant to proceed in the black business, while affecting the opposite.
As the others are now occupied in various ways, with their eyes turned from him, he steps out to the s.h.i.+p's side, and looks over the rail. The moon is now full upon his face, which, under her soft innocent beams, shows an expression difficult as ever to interpret. The most skilled physiognomist could not read it. More than one emotion seem struggling within his breast, mingling together, or succeeding each other, quick as the changing hues of the chameleon. Now, as if cupidity, now remorse, anon the dark shadow of despair!
This last growing darker, he draws nearer to the side, and looks earnestly over, as if about to plunge into the briny deep, and so rid himself of a life, ever after to be a burden!
While standing thus, apparently hesitating as to whether he shall drown himself and have done with it, soft voices fall upon his ear, their tones blending with the breeze, as it sweeps in melancholy cadence through the rigging of the s.h.i.+p. Simultaneously there is a rustling of dresses, and he sees two female forms robed in white, with short cloaks thrown loosely over their shoulders, and kerchiefs covering their heads.
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