Part 88 (1/2)
”Are you saying you mean to settle down there on the Point, with these buccaneers?” Calvert was trying to comprehend what he was hearing.
Could it be that, along with Jamaica, Cromwell was going to get armed s.h.i.+ps, manned by the only men in the Caribbean feared by the Spaniards, for nothing?
Perhaps it might even mean Jamaica could be kept. The Western Design might end up with something after all . . .
”Well, sir, in truth, this island's going to be needing all the fighting men it can muster if it's to defend itself from the Spaniards.” Calvert turned to Briggs. ”If these buccaneers of his want to headquarter here, it could well be a G.o.dsend.”
”You'd countenance turning over the safety of this place to a band of rogues?” Briggs' face began to grow dark with a realization. ”Hold a minute, sir. Are you meanin' to suggest Cromwell won't trouble providing this island with naval protection?”
”His Highness will doubtless act in what he considers to be England's best interest, Mister Briggs, but I fear he'll not be too anxious to expend revenues fortifying and patrolling an empty Spanish island. I wouldn't expect to see the English navy around here, if that's what you're thinking.”
”But this island's got to have defenses. It's not the same as Barbados.
Over there we were hundreds of leagues to windward. And the Spaniards never cared about it in the first place. But Jamaica's different. It's right on the Windward Pa.s.sage. You've got to keep an armed fleet and some fortifications here or the Spaniards'll just come and take the place back whenever they have a mind.”
”Then you'd best start thinking about how you'd plan to arrange for it.” Calvert turned back to Medina. ”Kindly advise His Excellency I wish to speak with him directly.”
The lieutenant-general bowed and nervously returned to the litter.
After consulting inside for a moment, he ordered the bearers to move it forward.
What they saw was a small, shriveled man, bald and all but consumed with venereal pox. He carefully shaded his yellow eyes from the morning sun as he peered out.
”As I have said, Excellency, we are pleased to acknowledge your welcome,” Calvert addressed him. ”For the time we will abstain from sacking Villa de la Vega, in return for which courtesy you will immediately supply our fleet with three hundred head of fat cattle for feeding our men, together with ca.s.sava bread and other comestibles as we may require.”
After a quick exchange, Medina looked back, troubled. ”His Excellency replies he has no choice but to comply.”
”Fine. But I'm not quite finished. Be it also known without any mistaking that we have hereby taken charge of the island of Jamaica. I expect to send you the terms to sign tomorrow morning, officially surrendering it to England.”
Winston stepped forward and faced Medina. ”You can also advise His Excellency there'll be another item in the terms. Those slaves standing there, and all others on the island, are going to be made free men.”
”Senor, all the negros on this island have already been set free, by His Excellency's proclamation this very morning. To help us resist. Do you think we are fools? Our negros are _catolico_. They and our Maroons will stand with us if we have to drive you _protestante_ heretics from this island.”
”Maroons?” Calvert studied him.
”Si. that is the name of the free negros who live here, in the mountains.” He approached Calvert. ”And know this, Ingles. They are no longer alone. The king of Spain will not let you steal this island, and we will not either. Even now, our people in Villa de la Vega have taken all their belongings and left for the mountains also. We will wage war on you from there forever if need be. You may try to steal this island, against the laws of G.o.d, but if you do, our people will empty their _hatos_ and drive their cattle into the hills. Your army will starve.
This island will become your coffin, we promise you.”
”That remains to be seen, sir.” Calvert inspected him coldly. ”If you don't choose to honor our terms and provide meat for this army, then we'll just take what we please.”
”Then we bid you good day.” Medina moved back to confer with the governor. After a moment, the bearers hoisted the litter, turned, and headed back down the road, trailed by the prancing horses of the cavalry.
Calvert watched, unease in his eyes, as they moved out. ”In truth, I'm beginning to fear this may turn out to be as b.l.o.o.d.y as Hispaniola. If these Spaniards scorn our terms of surrender and take to the hills, it could be years before Jamaica is safe for English settlement.”
Behind them the infantrymen had begun to emerge from the woods across the clearing, led by Morris. Next Guy Bartholomew appeared around the side of the fortress, his face strained and haggard in the morning light. He watched puzzling as the Spanish procession disappeared into the distance, then turned to Winston.
”What's all the talk been about?”
”There's going to be a war here, and soon. And we don't want any part of it. So right now we'd best head back over to the Point. That spot's going to be ours, or h.e.l.l will hear the reason why. John's been off- loading my culverin and he should have the guns in place by now. We don't need these cannon any more. Get your lads and let's be gone.”
”I'd just as soon be out of here, I'll tell you that. I don't fancy the looks of this, sir, not one bit.” With an exhale of relief, Bartholomew signaled up to the breastwork, then headed back. ”G.o.d be praised.”