ABOARD THE _SAN JOSEF_.
FOR a long while I lay motionless, too much overwhelmed with the
horror of my position even to think. The darkness was so intense that
it actually seemed to have weight. It pressed, as it were, upon my
eyes as I strove to discern my surroundings.
To add to my discomfort, the peculiar motion of my prison, totally
different to the heave of the deck that I was so accustomed to, told
upon me. The jerky swaying caused my manacles to chafe my wrists and
ankles, while the chains rattled dismally with every roll of the
ship.
Not so very far beneath the rough flooring the noxious bilge-water
surged incessantly, while through a seam in the stout planking a thin
stream of water trickled, to join the confined liquid in the hold.
Ever and anon came the thud of a wave as the galleon lifted her bluff
bows to the billow, while the timbers groaned and creaked
complainingly at the tremendous hammering of the angry sea.
At length I bestirred myself, and began to grope as far as my fetters
would allow. The men had left me half lying, half sitting, upon a
massive timber or rib, to which my chains were fixed. This rib was
about eight inches in width and the same in thickness, curving
abruptly in an upright direction just beyond the part on which I lay.
By placing my hand downwards I could touch the moist and slimy
planking, betwixt which and the floor was a gap of nearly a palm's
breadth, through which every abnormal heave of the ship caused the
bilge-water to sluice upwards and over the floor.
Still groping, I found my hands come in contact with the
after-bulkhead. 'Twas so solid that by knocking upon it only a very
slight sound was produced. The other bulkhead was equally thick,
while my scope of chain was insufficient for me to try the door.
Then I tried my fetters. They fitted so closely that there was
certainly no possibility of being able to slip them off, while, being
without a file, I could not sever the links. Otherwise I believe I
would have freed myself, waited till the door was unbarred, made a
dash on deck, and thrown myself into the sea.
But calmer counsels prevailed. I resolved to bear my troubles
manfully, but to let slip no opportunity whereby I could effect my
escape.
Presently I began to get hungry, and, remembering that the soldiers
had placed bread and water on the floor close to the timbers on which
I was sitting, I felt cautiously till my fingers came in contact with
the bread.
Instead of the hard crust the bread was soft and clammy. The
bilge-water had spoilt it utterly. Even as I grasped the food I felt
something glide over my hand. It required no one to tell me that the
intruder was a rat.
Quickly withdrawing my hand, my elbow struck the pannikin, and ere I
could prevent it the whole of the water was spilt with the exception
of, perhaps, half a gill. This I drank, so as to make sure of it, and
my thirst being somewhat assuaged, I felt better. Ever and again I
would shake my fetters violently for the purpose of scaring off the
rats, for, attracted by the ryebread, others had joined the first,
and were scampering all over the place.
As the time slowly sped the rats grew bolder, and even the most
violent rattling failed to keep them off. They even jumped over me,
and more than once I was badly bitten by their sharp teeth, till I
began to be afraid that ere long my strength would give out, and,
from sheer exhaustion, I would fall a prey to the loathsome
creatures.
Suddenly there was a cessation to the rats' attentions, and I was
left alone. Then it was that I became aware that the wind and sea
were increasing, for the galleon heeled and floundered till I was
well-nigh thrown from my precarious perch. Moreover, the bilge-water
began to increase in volume, and although for some time I comforted
myself with the thought that 'twas owing to the increased list of the
ship, I was at length bound to come to the conclusion that the
galleon was leaking badly and the water was slowly and surely
gaining.
Above the now frequent buffeting of the waves against the planking I
could distinguish the clank of the pumps and the subdued sounds of
the men rushing hither and thither on deck.
More and more sluggish became the motion of the _San Josef_, till in
my feverish brain I imagined that the huge vessel was already
plunging to her ocean grave. Then she heeled till the floor seemed
nearly vertical, and the bilge-water surged and frothed furiously
through the aperture betwixt the planking and the stringers.
'Twas then that I gave myself up for lost, yet the sense of
self-preservation was not lacking. I tore at my chains till the
leg-irons cut into my ankles and the manacles lacerated my wrists;
yet I felt no pain, though my injuries were severe. My body was
numbed, but my anguished mind was fully alive to the gravity of my
condition.
It seemed hours ere the galleon recovered her normal heel, and even
then, in the darkness, I felt none too sure of it. But in a measure I
was reassured. The _San Josef_ still remained afloat.
Still, the disquieting knowledge came home to me that the vessel was
leaking badly. Already, during the intervals of the galleon's
recovery, the water lay a foot deep over the floor of my prison,
while, as she heeled to the blast, the depth increased till, sitting
upright on the rib, I was submerged up to my waist.
Then it was that I raved and shouted, but in vain. Even had my
captors been inclined to show pity, the roar of the elements and the
thick walls of my prison effectually deadened every sound. Presently,
numbed with the cold and terrified into a state bordering on madness,
I fell into a kind of stupor.
Of how long I continued thus I have not the faintest recollection,
but after awhile I was compelled to stand as upright as the height of
the deck beams would permit to prevent the water washing over my
face. Bracing myself as firmly as possible, I strove to keep my feet,
the strain upon my manacles serving to steady me, save when a heavy
roll threatened to pitch me into the deepest part of the accumulated
bilge-water.
Hope seemed dead, for I felt that I would be unable to withstand the
strain for long. Already I imagined myself sliding inertly into the
water that was fast filling my pitch-dark prison.
Soon the sickening list to starboard gave place to a succession of
short, steep pitches, while the _San Josef_ seemed to be sailing more
upon an even keel. She had, without doubt, altered her course, and
was running over shallow water before a heavy sea.
Then, without warning, came a dull, grinding crash, and I was thrown
violently sideways till brought up by my fetters. With the shock the
bilge-water surged forward with such irresistible force that some of
the oaken planks of my prison were wrenched from their fastenings.
Like a foaming torrent the flood continued till, standing with my
head and shoulders 'gainst the deck overhead, it reached above my
chin.
Almost as suddenly the water subsided, the motion of the vessel
became comparatively easy, and I heard the hempen hawser rush through
the hawsepipe.
The _San Josef_ had gained a harbour of refuge and had anchored in
sheltered waters. This knowledge, even though it might be but a brief
respite to my miseries, was comforting, and, overcome by the sudden
change, I fell senseless across the oaken timber to which I was
fettered.
When I opened my eyes I was at first unable to think where I was or
what had happened. After a while I found myself lying on the
quarter-deck with my head supported by a coil of rope. My doublet had
been opened, and my chest and forehead had been sprinkled with
vinegar.
The sun was shining brightly in a cloudless sky; the galleon had
taken in her canvas and now rode head to wind. Lying on my back I
could see the truck of her tapering main t'gallant describing a
swinging motion across the sky as the ship rolled slightly to the
ground-swell within the harbour.
Then my upward vision was interrupted by a man bending over me, and
in an instant I recognised Don Iago d'Alvarez. There was a strange,
almost indescribable, look in his eyes. 'Twas as if he feigned
compassion, though he meant it not. Behind the mask of kindness
lurked implacable cruelty; avarice prompted him to adopt the guise of
benevolence.
For a few moments he stood regarding me, then, speaking to some of
the seamen, he indicated a part of the deck where the mainmast threw
a deep shadow athwart the glistening snow-white planks.
Thither I was taken, and a tankard of wine poured down my throat,
while a chirurgeon placed some bandages round my chafed and bleeding
wrists and ankles. These attentions eased both my body and mind, and,
greatly comforted, I lay still, watching the seamen attend to their
duties.
My field of vision was restricted to a portion of the quarter-deck,
the poop, and the main and mizzen masts. The tall bulwarks hid the
view of the land, so that I could not see what manner of place it
was. 'Twas certain that the harbour was nearly landlocked, for though
the breeze whistled through the rigging aloft, the huge galleon
hardly responded to the combined pressure of the wind and the
ground-swell.
Evidently the _San Josef_ had been sorely damaged in the gale. The
men were handing down the maintopsail, which was rent from the
gore-cloth to one of the clews. The running gear had suffered
considerably, while a portion of the larboard bulwarks had been swept
away. This had caused some of the ordnance to break loose, for there
were two falcons and a long brass saker lying overturned 'gainst the
starboard poop-ladder. The pumps, too, were working incessantly,
showing that the leaks had jeopardised the galleon.
Then my thoughts turned towards the _Damsel of Lyme_. I wondered
whether she had been safely towed into port, or whether, in the
height of the gale, her captors had been compelled to cast her
adrift. Once or twice I attempted to struggle to my feet and look
over the bulwarks to see if the pinnace had also gained the harbour,
but the effort was beyond me. Each time the chirurgeon hastened to my
side, giving me far more attention than a prisoner, and a pirate to
boot, ought to expect.
This puzzled me greatly. The sudden change from mental and bodily
torture to careful consideration seemed so unreal that my misgivings
increased.
Presently four seamen approached, and, lifting me in their arms,
carried me to the gangway. Here a shore boat was lying alongside, and
into it I was placed. Without delay the boat pushed off and rowed
rapidly towards the shore.
Now I could see about me. On all sides save the harbour entrance the
land rose abruptly from the waters of the harbour. Ahead clustered
the houses of a town of considerable size, the place being strongly
walled and protected with several forts. Two castles also guarded the
mouth of the harbour. Several vessels of all sizes were lying at
anchor, and I looked in vain for the graceful outlines of the _Damsel
of Lyme_.
Smartly the boat was run alongside a stone quay fronting the
water-gate. The latter was so narrow that scarcely three men could
enter abreast, while a horseman would have to stoop to pass under the
pointed arch. Above the gateway was a coat-of-arms carved in the
white stone, while yet higher were three rows of narrow slits for
musketeers and bowmen.
Awaiting us on the quay was the captain of the guard and a file of
pikemen, all accoutred with breast and back pieces, steel morions,
long swords, and, in the case of the men, pikes nearly twenty feet in
length. The officer had, in addition to a long glistening rapier of
exquisite steel, a dagger slung at his right hip from a richly
embroidered belt.
The boat was immediately challenged, but, on the coxswain producing a
letter, the guard fell back and allowed us to pass. I could not
repress a shudder as I was led beneath the frowning battlements. But,
to my surprise, it was not a prison or a castle to which my guards
brought me. We passed along a steep, narrow street, flanked by low
stone houses, either flat topped or roofed with brown-red tiles. The
absence of timber in the walls gave the town a totally different
aspect to the houses at home, while the white stonework almost
dazzled me.
Well-nigh choked with the dust that whirled in dense clouds through
the streets, the sailors held on their way, surrounded by a throng of
townsfolk--men, women, and children--all eager to see the English lad
who had been taken by the great galleon. Here and there stalwart
soldiers, bronzed with campaigning in New Spain, would pass some
jesting remark to my guards, who would as readily reply, and raise a
peal of merriment from the onlookers. What they said I knew not,
though by their gestures 'twas evident that I figured as the object
of their jests.
Since I was still in charge of the seamen and had not been handed
over to the military guard, I began to think that, after all, my
destination was not to be the gloomy dungeons of the castle. In a way
I was right, for after traversing the crowded market-square and
another long street, my captors halted before a large stone villa,
standing in extensive grounds enclosed by high stone walls.
The gate was opened by an old manservant wearing a livery of black
velvet, and, led by him, we passed through an orange grove to the
house.
Here I was placed in a small room, evidently a kind of study, for
quaint maps hung on the walls, a huge globe stood in one corner,
while several leather-bound books were ranged on shelves. On the
table were drawing instruments, an astrolabe, and a mariner's
compass.
Without a word or a sign my captors left me, locking the door as they
did so.
Left to myself, I made a tour of the room to see if there was any
possibility of escape.
There were three windows to the room, each filled with stained glass.
The first opened without difficulty, but I found that 'twas placed in
a deep recess, the walls being quite two feet in thickness, while at
the other end a strong iron grille prevented any egress by this way.
It was the same with the other windows. Nothing but a strong file
would have enabled me to break out of my place of detention.
Nevertheless, I had an uninterrupted view on three different sides.
The room was apparently one of the lower storeys of a tower forming
an angle of the house. To the eastward I could see over a thick
forest of olives to a range of blue hills that stood out clearly
'gainst a cloudless sky. Southward lay a portion of the town, a maze
of red and white stonework, while westward another part of the town
sloped steeply towards the harbour. Far beyond the castle-guarded
entrance I could see the horizon, dotted with the sails of a large
fleet.
Then I turned my attention to the maps, thinking they might give me
some idea of the surrounding country. Most of them were Spanish, and
unintelligible to me, both as to locality and the names written
thereon; but presently I found a chart of Southampton Water, drawn by
one Duns Vincent at the sign of the Antelope at Cheapside. Across it
were several notes written in Spanish, while, to my surprise, I read
in the bottom left-hand corner the words, "Ric: Roy, his Mappe. A.D.
1552."
It was my father's chart. How, then, could it have been brought
hither?
Beneath it were others of English draughtsmanship, mostly at various
portions of the Channel, the approaches to the Thames, and the Essex
coast. On every one were marginal notes in Spanish, with
unintelligible markings at various points.
Then I turned my attention to the table. Thinking some of the
instruments might serve me to some useful purpose at no distant date,
I selected a long steel pair of compasses with two fine points. These
I was about to conceal in my hose when a voice exclaimed:
"That will not serve, rascal!"
Turning suddenly, I found myself confronted by Don Iago d'Alvarez.