That would give us sixteen out of thirty, and it"s quite likely some of the others would take a hand with us, if they thought it was safe.
I have"nt any use though, sir, for Francois LeVere. There ain"t a worse scamp aboard."
"I know that," I admitted, "but he had to be used. It was through him that Estada"s murder was discovered. But he is safe enough for the present, for he made the attack on Manuel, and so will not dare go back on us. His life is in the balance. But wait, Tom; don"t breathe in his ear our real purpose; I"ve convinced him that we mean to keep in the trade, dividing the treasure aboard, and sailing the bark to Porto Grande."
"Oh, so that"s the game? And what is my part now?"
"This is my watch below, and it will be best for me to keep off the deck until all is prepared. Besides I am afraid to leave the cabin unguarded. There is no knowing what Gunsaules might do. You sound these men and get them together; wake up the ones in the starboard watch you feel sure are all right, and have them slip quietly on deck.
LeVere will understand what you are up to, and will make no objection.
As soon as you have everything ready, let me know."
"We are none of us armed, sir."
"That is what I was coming to. When you are sure of your men, and have them on deck, I"ll get LeVere to send them all aft on some pretext or other. I"ll think up a way to do this without creating any suspicion.
Then we"ll get these arms in the rack here, and be ready for business--the rest will be done in a hurry. You have it all clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then I"ll wait here for your report."
At the very best Watkins could scarcely perform the task a.s.signed him in less than an hour. No doubt there were those on his list whom he would have to approach with great caution, while there was always danger that some word might be dropped to awaken suspicion. The success or failure of our effort depended entirely upon taking these fellows by complete surprise. If it came to an open fight our cause was hopeless, for that would mean fourteen or fifteen men unarmed, pitted against over a hundred, thoroughly equipped and trained fighters. To be sure these were at present, without a leader, yet their force alone was sufficient to overcome us, and some one among them would doubtless a.s.sume leadership in an emergency. Only by confining them below, with hatches battened down, and a carronade trained upon them, would we be safe.
I sat where I could watch the stairs, and the entire forward part of the cabin. Gunsaules lowered the table, and began preparing the morning meal. He glanced at me each time he pa.s.sed, but ventured on no questioning, although it was quite evident the fellow was nearly bursting from curiosity. I lit my pipe, endeavoring to appear entirely at ease, as I turned over and over again in mind every detail of the contemplated action. With each review the result seemed more certainly a.s.sured, and my courage revived. Except for some accident, or act of treachery, I could perceive no reason why my plan should not work perfectly. It was evident that LeVere was endeavoring to keep the watch on deck busy. I could hear his voice frequently, calling out orders and occasionally singling out some man for a special task. A slushing of water proved that the deck amidships was being washed down, and twice, at least, men were sent aloft to make some change in the spread of canvas.
I stepped across into my stateroom to gain a glimpse out through the port. Narrow as the vista was it yet revealed a beautiful sea view, the waves running high, but in long billows, with bright sunshine glowing along their crests, the hollows a deep purple. Above the sky was a pale blue, with scarcely a fleeting cloud visible, and the bark was sailing free, laying well over to the fresh breeze, evidently carrying all the spread of canvas possible. As I returned to the cabin, Gunsaules awaited me to announce breakfast.
"What already?"
"It is six-thirty, Senor. Those were my orders."
"Very well; I suppose Estada and Manuel usually eat first?"
"Si, Senor."
"That leaves me alone; suppose you rap on the lady"s door yonder, and ask if she will join me. Say your message is from Senor Gates."
She came forth immediately fully dressed, but bearing herself with reserve. On my part I made no effort at greeting, not certain as to what eyes might be observing us through the deck light above, or, for the matter of that, unwilling to face the curiosity of the watchful steward.
"I had you called," I explained, "because of a disinclination to eat entirely alone. You were evidently awake?"
"Yes; I have not undressed. I felt no desire to sleep, although, no doubt I dozed. The call to breakfast was quite welcome."
She seated herself opposite me, and we spoke of the weather while Gunsaules served with some skill. He was still hovering about, but my anxiety to enjoy a word with her alone caused me to send him on a task elsewhere.
"Has Captain Sanchez been attended to yet?" I asked sharply. "No; then see to him at once. I have reason to believe he is alone this morning, and will need you. Yes, we can get along very nicely."
We waited until he disappeared within the after stateroom, bearing a tray; then her eyes suddenly lifted to mine, filled with questioning.
"Tell me what has happened?" She breathed eagerly. "I heard the noise of a struggle out here, and voices conversing. Why are you alone?"
I leaned over to speak in as low a tone as possible.
"I can only explain very briefly. The man who came into your room last night had just murdered Estada. LeVere and I found the mate"s body at daylight. His killing was part of a plot by Manuel, and the buccaneers quartered amidships, to seize the bark. We have Manuel already prisoner and are preparing to gain possession of the boat ourselves."
"Who are planning? You have found friends on board?"
"I have made LeVere believe his only safety lies in a.s.sisting me. I told you about Watkins and the other men forward. He has picked out a dozen, or so, in whom he has confidence, English sailors mostly and is sounding them out. I expect him back with a report at any minute."
"And then what?" her excitement visible in her eyes. "What can a dozen men do?"
"Our main weapon is surprise of course. By acting quickly we can gain control of the deck. If Watkins" estimate is correct, nine out of the port watch now on duty will be with us. If he can add to these five or six from the starboard watch below this will make a total, not counting LeVere and myself, of fifteen. There would be only five left to oppose us on deck and probably two of these would be on watch aloft. Once we gain control of the deck we can lock the others below, and negotiate with them at our leisure. The plan looks to me quite possible."
She sat silently gazing at me across the table, seemingly failing to quite comprehend, her parted lips trembling to an unasked question.
Before she could frame this in words, the door to the companion opened, and Watkins descended the stairs. At sight of her he whipped off his cap, and stood motionless, fumbling it awkwardly in his hands.
"You may speak freely," I said. "This is the young lady I told you about, and of course she is with us. Only talk low, as the steward is in the stateroom yonder."
"Yes sir," using a hoa.r.s.e whisper, and fastening his gaze on me. "It"s all right, sir."
"They are with us! How many?"
"Eight sure from my watch, sir. Harwood is in the fore-top and couldn"t be seen, but I"ll answer for his bein" all right. There was only four I could get word to in the forcastle, but there"s others there who"ll give us help soon as they know what"s goin" on."
"That makes twelve of the men, fifteen of us altogether. Are the four from the starboard watch on deck?"
He nodded, clutching and unclutching his hands nervously, scarcely able to restrain himself.
CHAPTER XX
THE DECK IS OURS
I had the next step carefully outlined in my own mind, and yet I hesitated a moment, glancing into the two faces before me, with a sudden realization of what the contemplated action would mean to all of us, if by any chance it should fail of success. Our lives certainly hung in the balance, for these fiends would show no mercy, if once they gained power to strike back. Yet how could we fail? Only through treachery, or some unforseen accident. And, moreover, it was too late for retreat. The one chance, desperate as it appeared, must be taken.
I managed to speak cheerfully, putting a ring of confidence into my voice.
"Then the sooner we act the better. Watkins have LeVere order these men aft. Let him say that Senor Estada wishes them to break out some stores in the lazaret. That will create no suspicion. They need be here only long enough for us to distribute these arms among them, and for me to speak a word of instruction to them. Are you ready?"
"Ay, ay, sir."
As he vanished, I turned to the girl, who had arisen to her feet, one hand grasping the edge of the table to balance herself against the pitching of the deck.
"It is a desperate chance, is it not?" She questioned anxiously.
"Yes," I admitted. "Fifteen of us against a hundred and fifteen, but worth taking and such an opportunity may never occur again. I believe the plan will work; its greatest weakness is, I do not know the men on whom I must rely. If there should be a traitor among them we are done for. I mean to work so fast no one man will be able to spread the news."
"But have I no part? Is there no way in which I can help?"
"You have your pistol?"