Doctor Syn on the High Seas - Thorndike Russell - Страница 44

generously. The Nantucket Bank, which they owned, had invested his money

credited from Albany well, so that when Syn and Mipps sailed from the

island for the port of New Bedford they were richer men. Here they

learned that Nicholas had sold the Isaiah for a good sum, and had

departed for the West Indies, where he proposed to buy another vessel

and with letters of marquee go privateering.

“I doubt whether he will trouble about the letters,” said Syn to

Mipps. “Like as not his privateering will be black piracy. Well, we know

something of that game ourselves.”

After so long at sea, Shuhshuhgah felt a hunger for his forests, but

could only be persuaded to visit his people when Syn selected a

rendezvous for a future meeting. Mipps, having been a professional

pirate, was able to supply the very place. There was a thriving tavern

in Santiago which was a popular sorting house for all the pirate news.

The landlord of “The Staunch Brotherhood” was a discreet man, who could

keep a secret so long as he was paid to do so. To this place Shuhshuhgah

was to repair whenever he felt ready to rejoin Syn. Should Syn be at

sea, the Indian, who was well provided with mone y, was to remain at this

tavern till summoned.

On their journey through the islands, Syn discovered that Nicholas

had also gone to Santiago.

“Which shows,” said Mipps, “that he’s turned pirate. It’s the chief

occupation of that there town.”

On their arrival, Syn found “The Staunch Brotherhood” to be a large,

rambling inn, built in the Spanish style with a large courtyard opening

out upon the harbour front. It was openly the resort of pirates from all

nations, where the roughest sailors jostled agai nst rich owners and

gaudily dressed captains. Riotous quarrels and the heaviest drinking

were the order of its days and nights. From his first entrance into this

place, Captain Clegg, with Mipps at his heels, made himself felt, for he

swaggered through the noisy crowd and in a ringing voice demanded the

immediate service of the landlord.

“I am Pedro the landlord,” answered a great, fat, greasy-looking

rascal, who was wise enough to size up a man before dealing with him.

“In what way can I serve you, Senor?”

“I propose staying in this town upon important business,” replied

Syn, speaking rapidly in Spanish. “I have heard this inn of yours spoken

of by my friend here as the best place for keeping one’s sword-hand in

practice. Also that your drinks are of the best. I hope for your sake

that they are. My immediate demand is that you show me the best set of

apartments, after which I shall sample your wines.”

“I will certainly show you my best rooms,” returned Pedro. “They are

very fine. Indeed, so fine that I have to make a small charge of one

gold piece to show them.”

“Travelers must pay, and landlord must live,” said Syn pleasantly.

“Here are two gold pieces. I am a generous man, but like my own way in

things, though I am willing to pay for it in reason. Lead the way.”

Taking care to hide his face from the newcomers, Pedro bestowed a sly

wink towards his friends nearest, and led the way to the outside

staircase.

- 96 -

Unlocking a door that opened upon a balcony, he led the strangers into a

set of three well-furnished rooms.

“These are my best rooms,” he said. “Since you have paid for the

privilege, you are welcome to look at them.”

“I have looked at them, and think they are magnificent,” replied Syn

casually. “I desire no better. I take them. Now bring us wine, and I

will see that our trappings are brought from the ship.”

“That is not possible,” said the landlord suavely. “These rooms are

taken by a rich customer of mine. You paid to see. You have seen.”

“Faith, sir, if this is a jest,” retorted Syn sharply, “you will find

the laugh against you. Why should I waste my time viewing rooms if not

to take them. Indeed I have taken them.”

“But you see those two chests, Senor,” went on the landlord, “they

belong to the occupier, who has gone with his wife and son to view the

ship he has had built for him. Look, here are the wife’s garments

hanging in this cupboard. The press there is also full of their finery.

He is an ugly man to cross, this great captain.”

Mipps looked at Syn, and saw a grim smile on his lips as he said, “An

ugly man to cross, eh? Well, so am I, and should this rascal captain

with his wife and boy be tattooed from head to foot, he’ll fine me yet

the uglier.”

“He has many, very many tattoo marks,” said Pedro; “but if you take a

word of caution, Senor, from one who knows him well—”

Syn interrupted with, “Take out his things, sir. I take these rooms.”

“But, Senor—” he began again.

“There are no ‘buts’ about it, my good man,” interrupted Syn again.

“Mipps, put the chests in the passage there and heap the clothes upon

them. They must find rooms elsewhere. As for you, Master Pedro, there

will be no trouble unless I make it for you. I am accustomed to be

obeyed. Is this man called Nicholas Tappitt, Nikolina Tappittero or

what? He has a habit of changing his name, I hear.”

“The captain is known here as ‘Black Nick’, returned the landlord.

Syn laughed. “Then tell Black Nick when he returns that others have

the habit of taking what does not belong to them as well as he. You’ll

find he’ll understand. If he starts trouble, send him up.”

“May I tell him your name, Senor?” asked the landlord.

“Captain Clegg,” replied Syn. “We will now drink wine together, so

make haste and bring the best. Red wine for blood, and see that it is

good. Bring rum, too, to wash it down with. But first help my man there

with that chest. It looks heavy.”

Pedro looked at Mipps as he took one end of the great chest and said,

“You have been here before—yes?”

“Been to most places, I have,” returned Mipps in bad Spanish.

When everything had been cleared and placed in the passage, the

landlord brought the drinks.

“Mind, Senor,” he said, “I take no responsibility for what Black Nick

will do to you.”

“But I take full responsibili ty for what I shall do to him,” replied

Syn. “And now give me your key of this main door. I have no mind to have

any enter when we are out. We are going now to get our baggage. Here is

gold in earnest of our good faith with you. That should carry our credit

for some days,” and

he threw down, on the table, a handful of gold pieces.

- 97 -

Then, locking the door, and closely followed by Mipps, Syn swaggered out

upon the quay.

Even amongst that crown of gorgeously dressed adventurers who

thronged the harbour, Syn stood out by reason of his magnificent

elegance and striking appearance. He wore a scarlet velvet suit trimmed

with silver braid, and round the waist of the full-skirted coat, a

silver sash that held his pistols. His high threecornered hat boasted a

fine ostrich feather, while his long legs were encased in perfectly

fitting thigh-boots, and as he strode along, the slender fingers of his

left hand rested easily upon the large, chased, silver hilt of this long

sword.

When Mipps went to en gage porters to carry their chests from the

ship, which had brought them there, and which was now busily unloading,

Syn approached a group of richly dressed adventurers who were seated at

a pavement table beneath the awning of a wine-shop. Swinging his ha t

off and bowing royally, he asked them in Spanish to do him the honour of