In the Governor's House, His Spanish Excellency and his guests, Black Nick and a great giant, with a luxuriant red beard of Scottish descent, he boasted, called McCallum at that time, played cards and drank. Black Nick's wife, the beautiful Imogene Almago, was forced to make the fourth, but since the gentlemen were drunk, she came in for little blame in playing carelessly. Her attention was listless for the cards, but riveted upon a handsome, slim boy who slept upon a sofa. She was disgusted with these so-called gentlemen, when the very cards she had to handle were wet with red wine.
Suddenly a thunderous crash of thunder shook the house, bringing them all to their feet, and partly sobering the men.
The screaming of the Governor's slaves brought them out upon the balcony facing the sea. There they saw the white seawall of the garden was shattered.
The Governor's pleasure sailing boat was sinking. The private quay had crumbled, and a great swift ship was passing close in-shore.
“It is my ship,” cried Black Nick. “See the flag, St. Nicholas.”
“They are hauling it down,” said the red-bearded planter.
“And running up the Black Flag. Pirates!” shouted the Governor.
“Oh God, Nicholas,” sobbed Imogene. “It is Christopher. I know it.”
“Nonsense!” replied Nicholas. “How could it be?” But the proof was soon to come, for an empty treasure-chest was thrown overboard, and across the water they heard a ringing voice cry out in Spanish, “As for these things, heave 'em overboard and let 'em float ashore to her. I'll have no petticoats aboard my ship.” They saw a magnificent figure in scarlet stooping over another chest upon the high poop-deck, and hurling garments over the bulwarks into the sea. The tide was running towards shore, and as the ship under full sail disappeared around the head, laces, satins, velvets and rich brocades came floating to the beach. A little boy was highly delighted in retrieving them.
“Look, Mother, another of your dresses. I remember this one well. And look, here is yet one more of your mantillas.” That night Black Nick fled in panic, leaving his wife and son behind in a convent, promising the Lady Mother large sums of money on his return. He shipped aboard a pirate vessel in which he was interested, and sailed for the North American coast. He abandoned all hope of recovering the St. Nicholas, and only thought of escaping from Doctor Syn.
The red-bearded planter did not take things so tamely. Foreseeing the danger of losing his treasure ships that were awaiting the St. Nicholas, he took horse and rode the long way up the island towards the Gulf of Batabano. But the way was harder than the way of the St. Nicholas, and he arrived to hear sad news. He found the captain of the Santa Mariana sick in his cabin and with a fine tale to tell.
“We were signalled by the St. Nicholas to put to sea as arranged. When out of sight of land we two captains were signalled to come aboard the St.
Nicholas. The Captain Clegg, who had command, ordered us to fetch our treasure-chests and hand them over to his keeping, for, as he said, should we fall in with enemy ships, he could outsail them and save the treasure-chests for the King of Spain. I was glad to do this, and to be relieved thus of my responsibility, but my colleague thought otherwise, and refused to give over his charge. Captain Clegg raged at this, but eventually ordered the voyage to proceed. About an hour later the St. Nicholas dropped astern, for she had been sailing between us. She then came up again rapidly upon the lee side of the Celesta, and without warning opened a broadside which completely crippled her. I could not retaliate, since my colleague was between us sheltering the traitor, so I turned and ran for the Gulf, thus at least saving my men and your ship. As we tacked away, we saw Clegg's men board Celesta, and after taking away her treasure to boats, they deliberately sank her. I think that every man aboard the unfortunate vessel perished.”
“I'll have this Clegg hanged as a pirate, if I spend all my fortune in the doing it,” cried the planter. “He will not hide from me.” But Clegg had no intention of hiding. After robbing and sinking three fat merchant ships bound for Cuba, he sailed back to Santiago, sank a ship in the harbour mouth in passing, and then as a warning once more shattered the garden wall of the Governor's house which was being rebuilt. He then rowed ashore and impudently demanded twenty thousand pieces of gold, or he vowed he'd destroy the town. He also ordered the Governor to hand over Black Nick to his keeping.
The Governor raised the money by the next day, but assured Clegg that Black Nick had gone—with the planter, he thought—and was no doubt in Havana. So with the money in his hold, Clegg sailed for Havana.
After sending a broadside into the astonished and terrified town, he once more made his impudent demand for payment, threatening to destroy the town and shipping if the money was not forthcoming within six hours.
Now, McCallum, the planter, being one of the richest men in all Havana, was summoned to the Citadel for consultation with the Governor. He was no coward, and had not the same dread of Clegg as Nicholas. He was not the type who runs away to save his skin. His fury against Clegg added to his bravery, and he now saw a heaven-sent chance for settling his score.
“We will collect this money, and I will carry it aboard,” he told the Governor. “I will then lure him to my house on the plantation, under the pretext of delivering Black Nick into his hands. I will tell him of his enemy's fear of him, and the thought of suddenly meeting him and settling his account will be too good to resist. He will come, and as we dine we will have a strong guard of military to arrest him. Then we will demand full payment, and hang the lot of the rascals after it is paid.” They discussed the plan in detail, and that evening McCallum was rowed aboard the St. Nicholas.
As the boat swung beneath the lofty hull, he saw that the name of it was being changed. Painters were busily at work on slung rigging. As he read the new name he chuckled to himself.
“This Clegg is a devilish rascal. He thinks things out well. And so do I. It takes a Scot to beat an Englishman. He'll find I am the greater devil yet.”
And Syn had thought things out well, for the name of the ship was now the Imogene.
