The Island of Cuba
Thanks to the brilliant moon which floated in the sky, the master of the
brigantine was able to sail her within easy distance of the coast of
Cuba without fear of dashing her upon the land. Then he put his helm
down again, and sent the good ship along towards the north-west, his
look-outs being on the watch for Spanish vessels. No one ventured to
sleep that night, though all were tired out after their engagement.
Roger would have slumbered as he stood had not Sir Thomas detailed him
to aid the apothecary whom the ship carried.
"Go and see what you can do to aid him," he said. "The work will
interest you after a time, and you will be doing good for your
comrades."
Roger took Philip with him, for the two had become inseparable, and they
dived below in search of the surgeon, a wizened man of fifty years, who
struggled to do all that was necessary by the aid of a feeble glimmer,
all that could be allowed him.
"Right glad shall I be of help," he said, lifting his head from the task
upon which he was engaged. "No lights can be permitted above this deck,
and in consequence our wounded have to be on the level of the keel
almost. Take no notice of the water. None leaks in now that the canvas
has been nailed over the rents."
The wounded aboard the brigantine had, in fact, to put up with rough
quarters for the time being, for Sir Thomas had given strict orders that
no lights should be used, and had only permitted this feeble dip in the
lower-deck space. Round the sides of it were gathered the wounded, some
in serious condition, though the majority were able to sit up and talk.
The place was hot and stuffy, and smelled strongly of boiling oil, some
of which was even then heating over a brazier. But the men did not
complain; instead, they discussed the battle cheerfully, for all
realized that a stubborn fight had been made.
"We have given them a taste of what is to follow," said one of the men,
beckoning to Roger. "But I warrant that but for our giant's help we
should not be so comfortable to-night. 'Tis not the pleasantest feeling
to know that cannon, and large cannon, too, comrades, are firing at one.
One ducks the head perhaps when on deck; but here below, when a chance
shot may find its way in all unexpected, and then the blow will be
followed by a deluge of water, and perhaps by the sinking of the vessel,
why then----"
"It is somewhat distasteful to feel that one must be drowned in a cage,
that one must go to the bottom of this ocean as surely as a dog would
with a stone about his neck; that is, if the ocean has a bottom, which I
doubt."
They took for a moment or two to the discussion of this problem,
mentioning many superstitions; for the men of that day were uneducated,
and vastly superstitious. They even imagined that once they had crossed
the horizon and sailed over the other side they would be unable to
return; and it was this thought which had been almost the ruin of
Columbus's voyage. However, at length they returned to Roger.
"We were saying that shot are not pleasant at any time, and particularly
down here," said the first speaker; "and I was about to tell all who may
not have known it that this giant of ours is to be thanked specially for
that. Mayhap all know now that it was he who suggested that the masts of
the galleon should be cut, and he and this young fellow here carried out
the work. Truly, you deserve some recognition."
"Which he already has received," burst in Philip, "and right well he
merits it, for it was his shaft which threw the steersman of the galleon
out and enabled us to come alongside. He is a lieutenant now, and will
command an expedition one of these days."
"Come, come! All this chatter is not help," burst in the surgeon. "Here
are strips of coarse linen, and here a pot of hot oil. Now we will see
to those who have as yet had no attention. I will examine their wounds,
and then do you and your friend apply the dressings. Already I have seen
that severe bleeding has been stopped, so that there will be no great
difficulty."
He beckoned Roger and Philip to follow him, and led the way along the
row of wounded men. Our hero then noticed that all had received some
attention, those whose wounds were deep and severe having a tourniquet
or a bandage tied tightly about the limb. The surgeon awoke the first
they came to, for the poor fellow had fallen asleep, and quickly
exposed the wound. It was in the shoulder, and was a clean cut,
evidently the work of a sword, and had penetrated to the bone.
"A heavy blow," he reflected; "and it cut through the leather jerkin and
the armour scales sewn to it. Truly a straight cut. The bone stopped the
blade, and prevented further mischief. Now, sit so while my helpers
dress the wound. Come, Roger de Luce, get that basin of water and bathe
the place; then dry and apply the oil when burning hot."
It was trying work for those unaccustomed to such sights, and Roger felt
the same feelings of giddiness which he had experienced as the
cannon-shot struck the men down on deck. His head swam, and he felt
sick. The surgeon noticed his condition at once, and spoke sharply.
"Do not give way to silly fancy," he said curtly. "Get the basin, and
let me see you commence to work. Help is required."
The words came at a timely moment, and were spoken in a manner which
made our hero writhe; not that the surgeon meant to be unkind, as he
explained later.
"I could see that you were a strange mixture," he said, with a grim
smile; "that you were brave in the fight, and fertile in resource when
difficulty faced you; that you were better at giving wounds and at
receiving them, if need be, than attending to the work of fighting men.
You would have fainted at the sight, for men do that when their blood is
cold and such matters are shown to them. Then I spoke, and you rallied.
You glared at me as though I had given a mortal thrust, and then seized
the basin."
"I was determined to be a help, and not a hindrance. I hate being a
failure."
"And you strive to succeed in all that you take up," said the surgeon.
"A proper desire, and one which will aid in giving you further
promotion. There are men, and lads too--and always will be, I opine--who
will go about the world drowsily and too lazy to care what happens so
long as they can win drink and food. Be one of the opposite sort, I
counsel you. But, no, there is no need to do that. You are one of those
who would lead a strenuous life."
Roger would, in fact, far rather have suffered anything than have
fainted or proved useless at such a moment. Just as he would have
grieved had Sir Thomas elected to spurn the advice which he had given
within a few minutes of his promotion, so would he have shown distress
had he, on this occasion, carried out his orders indifferently. He
seized the basin, therefore, reeled for a moment, and then, with an
effort of will, composed himself for the strange task; and very soon he
became accustomed to it. His hands gently bathed the wounds, while his
sympathetic words comforted the men as the hot oil was applied; for it
was the custom in those days to dress wounds with boiling fat or oil,
and the pain of such a procedure can be imagined. However, the men bore
it stoically, and when an hour had passed all were comfortably dressed.
"Your services have been invaluable," said the surgeon, "and I shall
desire Sir Thomas to give me the loan of your help again. Now you had
better retire. I shall administer a soporific to these men, and then
shall extinguish the light. They will sleep till morning, I trust, and
awake feeling refreshed and better."
He nodded to Philip and to Roger, who at once sprang up the ladder. They
were almost sorry to be gone, for the task which had appeared so
difficult at first now fascinated them. Indeed, for many a day after
that they came every morning to help the surgeon, and thereby gained
much useful information.
When they gained the deck above, and Roger scrambled to the poop with
his report for the commander, the moon was falling, and the slanting
light made it difficult to see the island.
"We are safe in any case," said Sir Thomas, "unless, of course, there
should be rocks hereabouts. In an hour the dawn will come, and then we
must search for a hiding-place. Stand beside me, Roger de Luce, and tell
me if you perceive a spot which might prove suitable. It must be some
harbour protected by the land and hidden by trees or something else
which will prevent those on the shore from espying us."
"Trees would be the better, sir," said Roger, quickly.
"And why? Why better than an overhanging bluff, which would completely
screen us?"
"Because we shall require wood. Because you have already said, Sir
Thomas, that our planks are not long enough to fill the hole in our
deck."
"A pest upon it! The lad thinks of everything!" laughed the commander.
"I must have you as my close attendant. But, seriously, Sir Giant, 'tis
well to cultivate this habit of seeking for the best, of planning a
course which shall prove most helpful to success. He is not always most
successful who leads his men boldly when the moment of danger arrives.
Better make preparation beforehand, and ward off the danger altogether,
if that be possible. Ah! the sky lightens a little, I think, and we may
hope for the day soon. Come, now, tell me of those poor fellows below."
Roger strode up and down the deck with him, telling him of the wounds
suffered by each man, and the surgeon's opinion as to their chances of
recovery.
"I warrant that fresh air, water, and food will do for them as much even
as the worthy apothecary's skill," Sir Thomas said thoughtfully. "Once
we find a suitable spot, we will send a force ashore and investigate the
country around. Then we will establish posts, and at one of these the
sick and wounded shall be placed; for I have observed that men get well
and strong when taken from the confinement of a ship, and from the salt
provisions which we necessarily carry."
"There is a point yonder, I think!" cried Roger, suddenly interrupting
him; "and, if my eyes and this half light do not deceive me, it is
thickly wooded."
"They do not deceive you, lad. The point is forest grown," answered Sir
Thomas, when he had stared in the direction of Roger's finger. "Mayhap
there is a suitable nest for us there. We will see. Call to the master
and tell him to put our head over in that direction."
Half an hour later the light was sufficiently strong to disclose the
land clearly in that neighbourhood, and it was seen at once that the
wooded point was but a portion of a huge forest extending along the
coast. In places the trees seemed to come to the very edge of the
cliffs, while at others, which perhaps were more exposed, the wood
receded, leaving brown patches of rock. The stem of the brigantine was
turned promptly towards the land, and she held on that course till the
breakers could be seen. Then she swung west again, and sailed along the
line of the shore, every one aboard searching for a sheltered cove.
Suddenly the cliff was seen to be broken. A tiny bay presented itself,
and on the far side the coast continued, lower than before, and
consisting of shelving sand and rock. But trees made up for the absence
of cliff, and seemed to hem the exit in and hide it from the outside
world.
"Yonder point shall be our signal station and our hospital," said Sir
Thomas, with decision. "There shall the wounded drink in all the
breezes, while we labour at the ship below. Now, to you, Roger and
Philip, I give the task of searching the land about. Others will follow,
but they will not go far, for to them will be given the work of making
temporary forts, and of sounding the depth of the inlet. When we have
your report, we can arrange to careen the ship, but not before. Make
your preparations, therefore, and leave as soon as we touch the land.
Carry what arms you prefer, and, if necessary, be absent for two days.
It is essential that I should know whether Spaniards are near, and if
so, how far they are, and whether they are likely to attack us."
Roger and his friend were overjoyed at the prospect. They had been a
whole month on the ship, and the confinement was beginning to tell upon
them. Besides, the salted food carried in those days, and the absence of
vegetables, made existence on shipboard very different from what it is
in these days. Scurvy was a very common ailment, even amongst crews
sailing home waters, while amongst those going farther afield it
frequently proved fatal, and ruined an expedition. Roger was conscious
of a lack of energy, and both he and Philip prepared for the expedition
with alacrity, feeling intuitively that a scamper ashore, fresh water to
drink, and some wild fruits to eat, would do them a vast amount of good.
"Though we must be careful not to pluck and eat the first that we come
to," said Philip, cautiously. "We are ignorant of foreign fruits, and no
doubt shall see many that are strange."
"Then we must watch to see whether the birds pick them," answered Roger,
eagerly. "In any case, we will carry some biscuit and cheese, and a junk
of salted meat. For water we shall have to search, but there can be no
doubt of its existence. The woods prove that it is here in abundance.
And now for weapons and clothes."
"A sword is my choice for the former," said Philip.
"And mine a sword and a crossbow. We want something to eat, Philip, and
a shaft strikes the mark silently, and brings down the quarry. I shall
take my crossbow, therefore, and some two dozen shafts. An arquebus
would be useless, and, besides, were one to be fired, the Spaniards
might hear it, particularly if some are ashore. For clothing, I shall
go as I am, with a light head-piece, and no other protection. A blanket
carried across the shoulder will do for night covering."
"A very complete programme. Then we are ready, you think?" asked Philip.
"Not yet. We have to decide where we shall go first, for there is a big
track of land about us. We should make for the highest peak, and from
there endeavour to obtain a view far and wide. That will, perhaps, save
us a long search, for if Spaniards are here they will have houses, and
there will be clearings amongst the trees. We should see those easily,
and could make our way to them."
"And then?"
"And then we should want to look into the matter; to see how many there
were; whether inclined to be peaceful or warlike, and whether in
sufficient numbers to prove troublesome. Also we should do well to
arrange a signal with our leader. Now, what shall it be?"
"Why not hoist a blanket. There are trees in plenty, and one blanket
hoisted will mean all is well; if two, look out for trouble. The matter
is easily arranged."
They went at once to get their blankets and their weapons, both adding a
dagger to the last. Then Roger clambered to the poop, and discussed the
question of signals with the commander.
"I shall remember," was the answer. "One blanket will be a good sign for
us, and I trust that you will be able to fly it. In an hour you should
be gone, and soon afterwards I will post look-outs to search for your
signal."
By now the brigantine was heading into the tiny bay, while all aboard
crowded the decks, sniffing in the smell of the land. Then the sun came
out, and the green of the trees flashed, the leaves shimmering in the
light. But for the urgent need for silence a cheer would have broken
from the men--a cheer of gratitude, for the long confinement had told
upon them also. But they preserved silence, and watched eagerly as the
vessel forged her way in. Presently, when within some sixty yards of the
shore, the anchor was dropped, and preparations made to lower the only
boat which the brigantine carried. Then a crew were placed aboard her,
all armed to the teeth, while Roger and Philip dropped lightly amongst
them.
"Remember that an early warning of danger is valuable," Sir Thomas cried
down to them from the poop. "Send us news that Spaniards are here and
threaten our safety, and we shall be prepared. On the other hand, if you
tell us that none are to be found we shall be grateful. Now push off.
May success follow you."
Ten minutes later Roger and his friend had gained the fringe of the
trees, and turned ere they dived into the undergrowth.
"'Twould be a bad day for us if these enemies came from the seaward side
and the brigantine were forced to sail away," said Philip, suddenly,
taking a lingering look at the ship. "We should be in sorry case, Roger,
and should have to decide whether to starve or to become Spaniards."
"In which case we should need to become Catholics and change our
religion, or suffer the tortures given by their Inquisition. That was
something of which I heard tales when in Spain. But never fear! Our
commander would not desert us; and if he were so inclined your father
would prevent the action. Now, there is the point above us, and we will
make for it."
They plunged into the undergrowth, plucking the leaves from the trees
and briars as they passed, for it was delicious to feel the soft
material, still wet with the dew. Above their heads rose a network of
branches, at first of moderate height, though as they progressed the
height increased till it made them marvel.
"No need to stay here for more than a week, I should say," said Roger,
suddenly. "If the ship were careened and the shot rents 'tween wind and
water mended, we could put to sea again with one of these trees in tow.
Then we could cut planks from it at our leisure, and mend the deck. But
we shall see. Perhaps there will be no need to hasten."
By now they had begun to ascend towards the elevated part for which they
aimed, and presently were on the summit. But trees surrounded them
thickly on every side.
"We must climb, or search for some higher spot free of trees," said
Philip. "Give me a leg up, Roger, and I will make an attempt to get to
the top of one of these giants. Once I am up to the first branch there
should be no difficulty."
He threw his sword to the ground, and his blanket also. Then he leaned
against the tree, stiffening his frame. Roger stepped towards him
easily, and, stooping, grasped his ankles.
"This to show my weakness," he laughed. "Keep rigid, and grasp the trunk
as I lift you."
He put out all his power, and slowly and steadily lifted his friend, his
grasp never relaxing from the ankles. Higher and higher went Philip,
till Roger's arms were full above his head.
"Now stand on one of my hands as I release the ankle," he called out;
"then do the same with the other foot."
Very carefully he released the right leg, and shifted his hand rapidly
to the sole of the foot, while Philip transferred his weight to the
left. Then the operation was repeated with the other leg, till the
greatest amount of lift was obtained. By standing up on his toes as far
as possible, Philip was just able to reach the lowest branch, and a
quick jerk on Roger's part allowed him to grasp it. After that the
ascent was easy, and he was soon at the very summit. Thence he stared in
all directions, and finally fixed his attention to one particular spot.
"There is a side clearing, and beyond it a lot of rocky ground, free of
vegetation," he said, as he came down to the lowest branch and dropped
beside Roger. "I thought I saw men walking about, but I am not certain.
However, there are houses, for I saw them, and the presence of houses
argues men."
"And men argue the presence of Spaniards, and therefore of enemies,"
added Roger, with a grim smile. "How far was this clearing?"
"Perhaps seven leagues. But the expanse of trees made it difficult to
judge."
"Then we will ascertain for ourselves. But, first, shall we fly the
signal?"
They debated the matter for a little while; and then arguing that they
would soon traverse the distance, they set off through the forest,
being careful to take their bearings by means of the sun. Also Philip
used his sword every few minutes, cutting a mark on the trees.
"Foresters do that in England," he said, "and we must not neglect to
take the same precaution. A man could be easily lost in this forest."
An hour and a half's quick walking took them to the verge of the
clearing, for after a little while Philip became more dexterous at the
blazing of the trees, while Roger aided him, each making the cut
alternately. Then they took the precaution to avoid the denser parts of
the wood.
"We may want to retire at a run, and in that case the undergrowth would
hamper us," said Roger. "And, besides, if the ground is moderately open
we shall be able to see our blaze marks better, and pick them up as we
run. I fancy that we have now taken them close enough, though I should
like to have something here which would tell us at a glance where our
track commenced, without giving the secret to the Spaniards, presuming
always that they are here."
"A fact upon which I am ready to stake much. For do natives have
houses?"
The question was one which neither could answer, for in those days
Englishmen were absolutely ignorant of foreign matters. Negroes they had
seen in England, but these were few, and in many cases were born put of
their native haunts. Then, though the people of this island knew France
and other adjacent countries well, for they had carried war there, they
had but the vaguest ideas of the Indies. Vague rumour had come of huge
riches--of gold which was to be obtained without the trouble of mining,
of pearls ready at hand. The tales whetted their cupidity and their
curiosity, but it led to no inquiry as to the condition of affairs in
the Indies, the inhabitants there, and their ways of living. But Roger
and his friend, as time passed, learned more, learned that the Caribs of
Cuba, and the natives of Hispaniola and other adjacent islands, had been
friendly and well disposed to the Spanish strangers; that they were
peaceful people, tilling the soil, and living in contentment. Some
little gold they had, simply because it was at hand. But they needed no
wealth while their climate was so friendly and the land provided their
wants. However, with the coming of the Spaniards came the greed for
gold. Adventurers of every station and of every character came to these
new-discovered lands, eager to make their fortunes. Labour was
essential, for these adventurers discovered that gold was not to be so
easily obtained once the resources of the natives had been drained.
Therefore mines had to be worked, and the natives must work them. Then
commenced a _régime_ of brutality and tyranny so fierce and so
unreasoning and inhuman that Hispaniola was soon depopulated, while in
Cuba the natives hanged themselves sooner than endure further miseries.
But the Spaniards were not dismayed. They deported natives from other
lands, and set them to work as slaves, standing over them with their
whips, and giving them in return for labour the right to exist, and
sufficient food to attain that object. The history of the Spanish
Conquest is, indeed, one long tale of cruelty, a tale which is made even
worse by the narration of their treatment of the people on the Terra
Firma, the country to which Roger and his friends were bound.
"Let us make use of some of the fallen boughs if there is need to leave
the forest," said Philip. "There are sure to be plenty, and we will lay
two in the form of a cross, so that none will suspect that they have not
fallen in that manner, while we shall know that they are our mark. But
we shall not require to do that yet. We have to spy out these houses."
The light in their immediate front had now increased, and the two young
fellows therefore redoubled their precautions against surprise. They
crept forward silently, cutting their blazes by piercing the bark with
the points of their swords or with their daggers. Then a sudden break in
the trees told them that they were at the clearing.
"We will go on our faces and creep to the very edge," said Roger. "Now,
there is a bush there which will give us shelter, and from behind which
we can watch the men who may be in the clearing."
They fell on their faces and wormed their way forward till the bush
covered them. Then they parted the leaves in front, and stared eagerly
into the clearing. A number of wooden houses stood there, and one or two
had little gardens of flowering plants in front of them. Then a long
dark track was seen crossing to the far side of the clearing, where it
made its exit through a wide gap in the trees.
"A road constructed of logs," whispered Roger; "and see the huge mounds
of earth."
"With a Spaniard standing above them with his whip in his hand. And
there are natives. He drives them as one would a dog."
"Say, rather, as one would some wild beast whom one feared or loathed.
That last blow was wholly undeserved. Poor folk! How they cringe beneath
his lash. I would that some who have the power to thus torture their
fellow-beings could change places with their victims. Then, indeed,
would there be groaning and anguish."
Roger spoke bitterly, for in those days the slave trade was almost
unknown in England. In Portugal it had existed for many years, and Spain
had adopted the custom. But England, in spite of her rising maritime
power, and the increase of her sea-borne trade, had not as yet ventured
to Africa or to the Indies, as had the Portuguese and the Spaniards,
though there had been a few unauthorized expeditions. So that Englishmen
were totally ignorant of the dark-skinned races, and held them in higher
opinion, deeming them as fellow human beings, deserving of fair
treatment. It made the blood boil, therefore, to see such cruelty.
"And here comes their guard," exclaimed Roger, in low tones, as a dozen
men lounged from behind the mound of earth which cropped up into the
centre of the clearing. "They are armed, and clad in light armour. I
suppose the heat here is too great for much clothing. It looks as if it
were the hour for a meal, and the slaves and their masters retiring."
Very soon they were certain that this was what was happening, for not a
soul was to be seen, not even the big ruffian who had stood over the
slaves.
"We will take advantage of their absence. They have gone into the
houses, and are out of our way. Stay here, Philip, while I creep
forward."
It was ridiculous of Roger to talk of creeping forward. But when he
glided off his friend was bound to confess that, in spite of his size,
this huge Roger de Luce, the crossbow-man, had a silent step and a way
of getting across the ground swiftly, while showing very little of
himself. He was gone round the end of the mound of earth almost before
Philip had had time to grasp his meaning; while the latter, once he was
out Of sight, sat up with a start, and taking the crossbow, fitted a
shaft and drew back the bow.
"He is venturesome to rashness," he said angrily. "He will be seen.
Presently I shall hear a shout, and back he will come, and an arquebus
bullet racing after him."
However, when Roger next appeared it was from the very opposite quarter,
so stealthily that Philip was dumfounded. He would have questioned him,
but Roger would not answer. He silenced him with a finger, and then led
the way into the forest.
"Can you find your way to the ship alone?" he demanded. "Then do so, and
with this report. There are fifteen Spaniards here, and I make out that
they are engaged in mining for the Government. I heard them say as much,
for I stood outside one of the houses and listened to the talk. They do
not suspect our arrival, though they were speaking of the battle, the
noise of the cannon having reached their ears. Also they know that an
English ship may appear, a golden plaque of vast value, because of the
plan it contains, having been taken by our countrymen. But there is more
yet," he suddenly added, seeing that Philip was about to interrupt.
"This mine gives a rich store of gold, which is kept partly in bars and
partly as dust. I saw the bags, and the pure metal. Tell Sir Thomas
this, and say that a guard posted here might watch to make sure that no
one suspected our arrival, and against surprise; and that if the work of
repair were hastened, it might be possible to make a raid upon the
mine."
"And recoup ourselves for the injury these Spaniards have done us. I
follow the reasoning, Roger, and I will return at once. Here is the bow.
I promise to lead the way back here at the first opportunity."
He rose to his feet from the position which he had taken, and turned on
his heel. There was no protest, no argument, no attempt to alter his
friend's decision, or to shake his determination to stay. For Philip was
beginning to find out that this huge friend of his, who played and
laughed like a boy, was a clever fellow at times, skilled in stratagems,
and fertile in resource.
"I suppose he has been thinking it over as he went round," he said to
himself as he plunged into the trees. "Anyway, I fancy he is in the
right."
He left Roger comfortably seated on the trunk of a tree within sight of
the edge of the clearing, and in such a position that he could watch
without danger of being seen.