Part 14 (1/2)
”Begob, that's wan for the skipper,” he crowed; then some of the others grinned, and the _Andromeda's_ little company stood four-square again to the winds of adversity. Having blundered into prominence, the second mate was quick to see that he must hammer home the facts, though in more serious vein.
”Bring us to the island, Senhor De Sylva,” he said, ”and we will make a fight of it. In any case, even if we fail, they will not deliberately kill a woman. There must be other women there who will intervene in behalf of one of their own s.e.x. But we may succeed. It is improbable that the whole of the troops will be gathered in one spot. Why should we not take some small detachment by surprise and secure their weapons?
If we can land un.o.bserved, we ought to be able to drop on them apparently from the skies. I take it that the presence here of Captain San Benavides is unknown, and the leaders.h.i.+p of an officer in the enemy's own uniform should turn the scale in our favor. Have you no followers among the troops or islanders? Suppose we make good our first attack, and seize a strong position--isn't it probable we may receive a.s.sistance from your partisans?”
”Perhaps--among the convicts,” was De Sylva's grim reply.
”No officials, or soldiers?”
”Not one. They are chosen for this service on account of their animosity against the former Government. How else could you account for their treatment of unarmed men on a s.h.i.+p crippled by their first sh.e.l.l?”
”You spoke of a steam launch. Where is that kept?”
”At a wharf under the walls of the citadel which commands the town and anchorage.”
”a.s.suming we have a stroke of luck and rush some outpost, would it be possible to cross the island before dawn and board the launch or some other craft in which we can put to sea?”
”There is only the launch, and some small fis.h.i.+ng catamarans. No other boats are allowed to exist on the island, in order to prevent the escape of convicts. The boat we possess is really a badly-constructed catamaran, without a sail, and minus the out-rigger which alone renders it safe for the shortest voyage.”
”Wy didn't you say that sooner, mister?” put in c.o.ke. ”If some of these jokers knew wot sort of craft it was, mebbe it wouldn't 'ave needed a shove in the stommick to bring Hans Olsen to heel.”
”I am sorry,” said De Sylva. ”You see, I realized the utter folly of trying to escape in that fas.h.i.+on.”
The two men looked each other squarely in the eye. The ex-President of a great republic and the master of a worn-out tramp steamer were both born leaders of men. Whatsoever prospect of a cabal existed previously, it was scotched now, beyond doubt. Henceforth, no matter what ills threatened, surely the little army mustered on the Grand-pere rock would stand or fall together!
An unerring token of unity was forthcoming at once.
”Please, miss, an' gents all, may we smoke?” pleaded a voice.
Iris was for an immediate permission, but De Sylva shook his head.
”Not until the tide falls,” he said. ”There is a very real fear of a visit from the launch. It has pa.s.sed this spot four times during the past two days--ever since my absence was discovered, in fact. The soldiers have searched every outlying island, but they have avoided Grand-pere because it is believed that a landing is highly dangerous if not quite impracticable. My friend Marcel, a fisherman, discovered by accident the only safe means of reaching the path which winds round the island. Happily, the wretch who betrayed the mission of the _Andros-y-Mela_ did not know the secret of my refuge. And I see now that the Governor must be convinced that I am still hiding among the cliffs, or your vessel would not have appeared off South Point this morning. No, there must be no smoking as yet. In this clear air the slightest cloud might be seen rising above the rocks from without.”
Marcel reappeared at the entrance. With him was another man, whom Hozier remembered seeing when he was hauled up from the s.h.i.+p with Iris.
”Ah, I was not mistaken,” went on De Sylva. ”Here comes news of the launch! They have signaled for it across the island.”
Marcel entered the cave with an expressive gesture, for long habit had almost robbed him of his native vivacity. His companion, Domingo, climbed the opposite wall of the ravine and stretched himself at full length in a niche where there was room for a man to lie. Some tufts of rough gra.s.s grew there in sufficient density to conceal his head while he peered between the stalks. They could see him quite plainly, but no one wanted to speak. Though the unceasing wash of a heavy swell against the rocks would have drowned the noise had they shouted in unison, there was no need to tell anyone present that a very real and dangerous crisis had arrived. The slow change in the direction of Domingo's gaze showed the approach and pa.s.sing of the hostile vessel.
It was evident that a long halt was made in the channel close to the wreck, of which some fragments remained above water. Still, curiously enough, it was impossible for those on board the launch to read the s.h.i.+p's name, since the word ”_Andromeda_,” twice embossed on the sharp cut-water, was hidden by the jutting rocks on both sides of the cleft.
But it was not the fear of instant death following on the discovery that the Grand-pere islet was inhabited that kept tongues mute and ears on the alert during a quarter of an hour that seemed to be protracted to a quarter of a day. At present they were shut off from hostile bullets by the walls of a fortress stronger than any that could be built by men's hands. The greater danger was that the enemy's suspicions might be aroused. Let those who held Fernando Noronha with the armed forces of Brazil once come to regard the isolated rock in mid channel as providing even a possible refuge for the ex-President and his friends, and it would mean the complete overthrow of the slender chance of saving their lives that still offered itself.
So they waited in silence, watching the rigid figure of the prostrate Brazilian, just as those among them who were saved from the _Andromeda_ had watched the arch of spray and spindrift from the slowly sinking forecastle.
At last Domingo turned his head slightly, and gave them a rea.s.suring little nod. He said something, which De Sylva translated.
”They have a photograph of the wreck,” he said, ”and are now steaming through the northerly channel to the anchorage on the west side of the island. Most fortunately, they do not seem to be aware of your drifting boat.”
Then he added, with a courtliness that was so incongruous with his unkempt appearance and patched and tattered garments;--”If the Senhora permits, the men may smoke now. In another hour the channel will not be navigable. We have a hot and tiring day before us, and I advise sleep for those to whom it is vouchsafed. If the weather continues to improve, the next tide will bring us a smooth sea. Given that, and a dark night--well--we may make history. Who knows?”