ore a truncheon.’
‘Mark ye there!’ whispered Saxon, grasping me by the arm. ‘See where the moonlight falls beside the hatchway! Do you not see that short squat seaman who stands alone, lost in thought, with his head sunk upon his breast? It is Marot! I tell you that if I were Captain Pogram I would rather have the devil himself, horns, hoofs, and tail, for my first mate and bunk companion, than have that [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] man aboard my ship. You need not concern yourself about the prisoners, Micah. Their future is decided.’
‘Then, Saxon,’ I answered, ‘it only remains for me to thank you, and to accept the means of safety which you have placed within my reach.’
‘Spoken like a man,’ said he; ‘is there aught which I may do for thee in England? though, by the Mass, I may not be here very long myself, for, as I understand, I am to [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] be entrusted with the command of an expedition that is fitting out against the Indians, who [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] have ravaged the plantations of our settlers. It will be good to get to some profitable employment, for such a war, without either fighting or plunder, I have never seen. I give you [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] my word that I have scarce fingered silver since the beginning of it. I would not for the sacking of London go through with it again.’
‘There is a friend whom Sir Gervas Jerome did commend to my care,’ I remarked; ‘I have, however, already taken measures to have his wishes carried out. There is naught else save to assure all in Havant that a King who hath battened upon his subjects, as this one of ours hath done, is not one who is like to keep his seat very long upon the throne of England. When he falls I shall return, and perhaps it may be sooner than folk think.’
‘These doings in the West have indeed stirred up much ill-feeling all over the country,’ said my companion. [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] ‘On all hands I hear that there is more hatred of the King and of his ministers than before the outbreak. What ho, Captain Pogram, this way! We have settled the matter, and my friend is willing to go.’
‘I thought he would tack round,’ the [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] captain said, staggering towards us with a gait which showed that he had made the rum bottle his companion since we had left him. ‘S’help me, I was sure of it! Though, by the Mass, I don’t wonder that he thought twice before leaving the Dorothy Fox, for she is fitted up fit for a duchess, s’help me! Where is your boat?’
‘Alongside,’ replied Saxon; ‘my friend joins with me in hoping that you, Captain Pogram, will have a pleasant and profitable voyage.’
‘I [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] am cursedly beholden to him,’ said the captain, with a flourish of his three-cornered hat.
‘Also that you will reach Barbadoes in safety.’
‘Little doubt of that!’ quoth the captain.
‘And that you will dispose of your wares in a manner which will repay you for your charity and humanity.’
‘Nay, these are handsome words,’ cried the captain. ‘Sir, I am your debtor.’
A fishing-boat was lying alongside the brig. By the murky light of the poop lanterns I could see the figures
Линейный вид
