Four years after the Ezekiel had sailed from Nantucket, she returned fullladen with the richness of many a great whale. The Coffins were more than pleased with the results, and treated Captain Clegg 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 Western Indies, where he proposed to buy another vessel and with letters of marque 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 money, 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 against 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, Se—or?”
“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 your 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.”
“Travellers must pay, and landlords 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. Unlocking a door that opened upon a wide 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.
“But you see those two chests, Se—or,” 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 his 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 find me yet the uglier.”
“He has many, very many tattoo marks,” said Pedro; “but if you take a word of caution, Se—or, from one who knows him well—” Syn interrupted with, “Take out his things, sir. I take these rooms.”
“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 room 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, Nikolino 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, Se—or?” 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, Se—or,” he said, “I take no responsibility for what Black Nick will do to you.”
“But I take full responsibility 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.
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 three-cornered 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 engage 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 hat off and bowing royally, he asked them in Spanish to do him the honour of drinking with him. Nothing loth, for they were already curious to know who he might be, they accepted with politeness, and Syn called for the best wine and sat down.
He told them he was Captain Clegg, and had arrived in Santiago but an hour. He was here on shipping business, he said, and did any of them know a Captain Nicholas Tappitt, who went by the name of “Black Nick”? They smiled, and one of them answered that “Black Nick” had been the last name in their mouths.
“Perhaps, Captain Clegg, I can explain the better,” replied the youngest of the party, a good-looking Spaniard, who, though dressed very foppishly, had a manly bearing which Syn admired. “I am under a commission for this Captain Nicholas,” he went on. “I know the man personally, whereas these friends of mine only know of him by reputation, which I agree is not of the best. They have been advising me to have nothing to do with him, but I am one capable of looking after myself and for the best advantage. I will take a chance hand with fate always, Se—or, and so long as this or that employer serves my turn, I serve him. You see that vessel anchored there beyond the harbour mouth? He had her built. Yesterday she did her trial sailing trip. She is superb. I am in love with that ship, though not so partial to her captain, this Black Nick. But he has something of a genius for ships, though, as I tell him to his face, not so good a genius for dealing with men. I find myself in position of first mate. I have a full crew aboard, and not one of them who is not discontented or ever we put for sea. Black Nick wants all for nothing. He has got the crew aboard under false pretence. Their share of profit accruing from adventures is reduced to the minimum. They risk their necks at the yard-arm of any Government ship for a mere pittance. I see trouble. But the ship is sweet. Her guns are good. Her speed amazing. She has it in her to escape or to attack, according to the captain's mood. She is all ready for sea, and has been so these last four days.
We only wait for Black Nick himself. He is transacting business with a gentleman from Havana, a rich planter and ship-owner, who is staying with the Governor of this Town. We are to be sailing consort with two ships of his from Havana.” Syn nodded. “And your crew are no doubt the more discontented at being kept aboard when they might be drinking ashore?”
“Aye, and another thing,” went on the Spaniard. “The Black Nick is to bring his wife aboard. And the men say, 'Petticoats for all or none.'“
“To be sure petticoats are damned bad things on ships,” said Syn. “And where will I find this Black Nick before he sails?”
“The Governor's house is some two miles out in the country. He took his wife and son out there this morning, I believe. They are to sleep there the night, which means a further delay and more flame to feed my men's anger. I am now bound for The Staunch Brotherhood Inn, where he promised to leave the orders.
I delayed here purposely in order to miss him if possible.”
“I see that you have no love for him,” said Syn. “I also see that my faithful servant has collected my baggage ad engaged porters there. Since we lodge at 'The Staunch Brotherhood', perhaps you will accompany us there.” So, taking leave of the others, they sauntered along the quay, followed by Mipps and the porters.
Arrived at the inn, Pedro led Syn aside. “You had scarce been gone a moment when they returned. They had seen you passing on to the quay. As I was hastening to lighten the news about their rooms, they cut me short with orders as though they were in a great panic. No blame at all they gave me. They asked me how long you would be gone, and when I told them you were but collecting your baggage from your ship, they opened this chest and packed the pile of clothes into it in the greatest hurry. All this while they kept the Governor's carriage waiting for them. When they had locked the trunks, Black Nick gave orders that Juan Tarragona (whom your honour is now with) was to see their baggage upon his ship, the St. Nicholas, and wait for them to board sometime upon the morrow. They asked me to say nothing about these rooms which you had compelled me to give you. Your honour will therefore respect my very good faith and not betray me. Your honour has treated me well.”
“I shall say nothing, friend Pedro,” returned Syn, smiling at the man's roguery. “And you in your turn will say nothing of this to Se—or Tarragona. I will give him his captain's orders myself. And now, a word of advice to you.
You will do yourself no harm in keeping faith with me in the future, for I shall be the means of putting much gold into your treasure-chests. Now repeat the orders he left for that officer.”
“That he would carry the baggage aboard the St. Nicholas; keep the ship ready for sea, as his business was sure to be completed by tomorrow or the next day at the latest. Then the St. Nicholas is to sail towards Havana, enter the Gulf of Batabano, to the south of it, where the treasure-ships for escort would be waiting behind the Island de Pinos. That is exact.”
“I will tell him,” said Syn. “And you remember to keep silent, unless he asks for confirmation. I shall be leaving you today, but if during my absence an American Indian called 'The Blue Heron' should ask for me, you will say that Captain Clegg is aboard his ship the Imogene. He will hear of her, I promise you, and so will you. The Indian can join me aboard when he learns where she lies, and in the meanwhile await news here at my expense.” After making Pedro repeat these instructions, Syn sent him to order two riding-horses to take him and his servant to the Governor's house outside the town. He then rejoined Tarragona with the news of Black Nick's orders, which he altered to serve his own purpose.
“Black Nick left messages for both of us with the landlord. You are to take his baggage aboard the St. Nicholas immediately. You will also so me the kindness to take mine too, for I am to sail with you to Havana. Now between ourselves, my friend, I am a very wealthy man, and if I like the ship's behaviour upon this trip I shall make Black Nick an offer for her. He wishes us to go aboard and keep ready for sea, as he will join us in two days' time.”
“Ah, no,” cried Tarragona. “A further delay will mean a mutiny. It was with difficulty that I persuaded the men to keep ship today. If we do not sail tonight, they will overpower the officers and take to the boats. Then we shall have a fine drunken crew ashore, I promise you.”
“Leave it to me,” said Syn. “You go back with the baggage—mine and Black Nick's. I am going to ride out now to talk to him at the Governor's house.
I and my servant will be back within two hours, and I warrant I'll bring Black Nick along with us. After what you told me about his wife, I shall persuade him to leave her behind. One woman upon a long voyage is dangerous to a crew of rough morals. Now, what like are these two ships that we are to consort?”
“There again,” cried out Tarragona. “Somehow the news is out amongst my crew that we are to take these treasure-ships to Spain. They even know their names, the Santa Mariana and the Santa Celesta. To speak frankly, the men aboard the St. Nicholas are pirates of the worst type, and this voyage with but little profit to them seems of too peaceful an order. They are grumbling that he got them aboard with fine promises, and then, when signing came, their pay was cut down to the minimum.” Syn nodded. “Go back to your ship and tell them that they have a good adventurous friend in me. I will force Black Nick to reconsider his terms with the crew. Every man aboard shall have a more generous wage, and in addition a share of the profits. You may tell them if there is one man that Black Nick fears it is Captain Clegg, who sails with them and knows how to respect good sailors.
Up to this moment he has had more from me than I from him, but now I will turn the tables. You and I will stand together on this voyage, and the men will stand behind us. Go and tell them so. Should Black Nick not agree to my terms —and I have that over him to force his hand—I will compel him to sell the ship to me. I can buy it at his price. On the other hand, I think he will sell it at mine.
Within two hours, we will be aboard and shaking out the canvas.” After seeing Syn and Mipps ride off towards the Governor's, the young Spanish officer, delighted at not having to return to the ship with tales of more delay, but rather with a fine sop to throw to his discontented men, escorted the baggage to his waiting boat, and was pulled off to the ship.
Meanwhile Syn and Mipps rode out of the town with a show of great haste.
At last, safely hidden beneath the trees of a grassy bridle-path, Syn drew rein.
“That ride has done us good,” he laughed. “But I think we will not approach the Governor's House any nearer, though it needs all my patience not to ride there in hot haste and finish with Black Nick. I am not in the mind, however, to put him out of his misery so soon. We can torture him better by waiting. He has had a bad fright this morning over our rooms. He will get a worse shaking at his soul before the day is out. Let me see, we have something under two hours before boarding our ship, and I have some work to do at the inn before then.”
“Our ship?” asked the bewildered Mipps.
Syn laughed. “You have ever the taste for piracy, my good Mipps. Well, here I find Black Nick obliging enough to build us a ship for that purpose.
Between us we managed to take Black Satan's Sulphur Pit, and with some luck and skill we'll now take Black Nick's St. Nicholas.” After a gentle ride to kill the time required for an imagined interview at the Governor's House, they galloped back into town that their horses should appear in a fine lather. Re-entering the inn, Syn called for pens and paper, and in the privacy of his room settled down to writing carefully, while Mipps sat smoking and watching.
Presently Syn remarked, “'Tis a good thing remembering what a man's handwriting is like. I recollect Black Nick's very well. This paper we may not need at all, but it is best to be prepared. I wish you to sign your name here as witness, beneath this signature of the Governor's clerk. Black Nick has already put his name, as you see.” Mipps grinned and signed, then added, “How do you know there's a Governor's clerk?”
“Because the Governor is Spanish and therefore lazy. Of course he would have a clerk. This document makes it quite clear that Black Nick has made over his ship to me. Very kind, I swear. He states, too, that I have paid for it in full.
Now let us take a boat and a closer look at the St. Nicholas.” Saying which, Syn placed the paper in his pocket, led the way out on to the quay and engaged a boat. It was then mid afternoon with a fine breeze blowing.
“Just the weather for sailing, and like old times, Master Carpenter,” said Syn cheerfully. “She is a fine ship by the looks of her. We must give her designer his due. She seems fit to withstand heavy weather, in that she could cut through it. A fine length of mast too, all three of them. And a fine stretch of canvas she can carry. I long to stretch my sea legs on her decks. I think she'll ride very prettily, Mister Mipps.”
“I think so, too, sir,” replied Mipps, looking up with great admiration at the black hull brightened with brass cannon. “A frigate of fifty guns, I take her.”
“Aye, and she's capable of a lot,” added Syn. “Heavy work; light work; quick work.”
“And dirty work,” grinned Mipps.
Grasping the rope-ladder alongside from the tossing boat, Syn, followed by Mipps, climbed aboard, and was received at the gangway by Tarragona.
“Ship ready for sea?” asked Syn.
“All ready, Captain Clegg,” the officer answered.
“Then pipe all hands on deck. I have something to say to the men for their advantage,” and Syn, swaggering to the companion ladder, climbed up to the poop-deck and leaned upon the rail.
Meanwhile from rigging and holds the crew swarmed on to the main-deck beneath him and stood staring at the magnificent stranger who had boasted to be their friend.
“All on deck, sir,” said an officer.
“All on deck, sir,” repeated Tarragona.
“Then bring me the ships' sailing papers,” ordered Syn.
Tarragona brought him the papers from his cabin under the poop. Under the eyes of the crew Syn unfolded them, read them, and frowned. Then, folding them again, he handed them to Mipps, who stood on duty beside him and produced the document which he had forged at the inn. This he read through carefully and then let it trail over the rail from his hand so that all could see.
“My lads,” he said, “I have had a serious difference over this voyage with Black Nick. The unfair way in which he has kept you aboard while he drinks with the Governor infuriated me. Although he has engaged a pirate crew, he had no intention of hoisting the black flag. Well, we are going to hoist it now, and if Black Nick thinks we are going to escort treasure-ships tamely to Spain, he is mightily mistaken. That treasure will be more valuable to us, when we lock our own share in our own sea-chests. Though I have taken over the ship from him, he still expects me to wait for him so that he and his family may have a free passage to Havana. His chests are aboard, but we must wait till it pleases him to finish his drunken bout with the Governor. We'll have a look at these chests. They shall be your first prize. Now who is for joining under new articles better than ever you signed yet, I promise you? If any refuse, he is at liberty to swim for the harbour before we sail, and no harm done. I take it none of you are pirates for the fun of the thing, though I promise you many a merry time when duty's done. No, like myself, you are pirates in order to get rich quickly. Hard work and dangers, and then money to spend ashore like gentlemen. Now, I know that I am the man for you, and you the men for me. It was I, Captain Clegg, who killed Black Satan, the notorious but hated negro captain, in fair fight. With the help of this gallant sea-dog by my side, my master carpenter, I captured his pirate vessel, the Sulphur Pit, and filled her with the treasures from our prizes. As then, I promise you that I'll be first to board any ship we think is worth the taking, and, if you wish, I'll prove my swordsmanship against any three you care to match against me. But why spill our blood when we want other's treasure? No, let's serve out double grog, and then to sea. What say you?”
At this the whole crew fell to cheering, and when a great barrel of rum was tapped, their enthusiasm knew no bounds.
Drinking as heavily as any, Syn then shouted, “Bring tools to prise open Black Nick's chests. And now, my lads, though he never meant to hoist it, no doubt there's a Jolly Roger in the flag locker? If so, let's hoist it to show our true colours and our teeth.” One of the crew cried out that they had one below which they had planned to hoist if Black Nick wished it or no.
“Fetch it,” cried Syn heartily. “You'll have no cause to mutiny now.” At once a great black flag was produced by the crew, with a white skull-andcrossbones painted upon it.
“Splendid!” cried Syn. “Mister Tarragona, since our course is nor' east, we shall pass in sight of the Governor's House, where Black Nick drinks and laughs at our waiting for him. Keep your eyes skinned, sir, and when we are abreast of it strike the St. Nicholas and run up that Jolly Roger. At the same time let 'em have a Governor's salute. Aye, a broadside of the lee-guns, and see there's shot in 'em. Now, my lads, put a deck stopper on the cable, and then cut the cable abaft it. Hoist the jib and when I sing out, stand by to slip. Shake a leg, my jolly dogs. Topsail halyards. Stand by to slip. Slip the cable. Hoist away.” Then he broke into his chanty in a ringing voice:
“Oh, here's to the feet what have walked the plank, Yo-ho for the dead man's throttle And here's to the corpses afloat in the tank And the dead man's teeth in the bottle.”
With the running of ropes, the rattle of running blocks, the crack of filling canvas, and with the straining of every plank, the St. Nicholas leapt through the waves in obedience to her new master.
