"CASTLES IN SPAIN."
Gomez is still at the wheel; his "trick" having commenced at the change
of the watches. As known, he is not alone, but with Hernandez beside
him.
Both are youngish men, neither above thirty; and both of swarthy
complexion, though with beards of different colours; that of Gomez
black, the other reddish-brown. Besides having heavy moustaches, their
whiskers stand well forward on their jaws, and around their throats;
growing so luxuriantly as to conceal the greater portion of their faces;
the expression upon which it is difficult to determine. Equally to tell
aught of their figures, draped as these are in rough sailor toggery, cut
wide and hanging loosely about their bodies. Both, however, appear of
about medium height, Gomez a little the taller, and more strongly built.
On their heads are the orthodox "sou'-wester" hats; that of Gomez drawn
slouching over eyes that almost continually glow with a sullen lurid
light, as if he were always either angry or on the point of becoming so.
At the same time he habitually keeps his glance averted, as though
wishing to conceal either his thoughts or his features; it may be both.
Acting in the capacity of a common sailor, he has nevertheless hitherto
appeared to control the second mate, as most others of the crew, and
more especially the Spaniards.
This, alleged by Striker, has been observed by Harry Blew himself; so
that of the conspirators Gomez is unquestionably chief. Though Padilla
engaged the hands, the instructions must have proceeded from him, and
all were shipped on conditions similar to those accepted by the Sydney
Ducks.
Five thousand dollars, for less than a month's service, would be wages
too unprecedentedly large to be offered without creating suspicion of
some sinister intent. Nor did he, who offered it, leave this point
untouched. While promising such big bounty, he exacted a promise in
return: that each recipient of it was to bear a hand in _whatever he
might be called on to do_.
The men so indefinitely engaged, and on such latitudinarian terms, were
not the ones to stick at trifles; and most of them stepped aboard the
Chilian ship prepared to assist in the perpetrating of any known crime
in the calendar. Since becoming better acquainted with the particulars
of what they have been shipped for, not one of them has shown
disposition to back out of it. They are still ready to do the deed;
but, as seen, under changed conditions.
Gomez is not yet aware of the strike that has taken place; though during
the day he has heard some whisperings, and is half expecting trouble
with his confederates. Hernandez also, though it is not of this they
are now conversing as they stand together at the wheel.
The theme which engages them is altogether different; beauty, not booty,
being the subject of their discourse, which is carried on in a low tone,
though loud enough to be heard by anyone standing near.
But they are not afraid. _No_ one is within earshot. Their comrades of
the watch are away in the forward part of the vessel, while those of the
off-watch are below in her forepeak--the skipper asleep in his cabin--
the passengers in theirs.
It is about two of these last they are talking; and in terms, that, for
common sailors, might seem strange--rough ribald men bandying free
speech, and making familiar remarks, about such delicate high-born dames
as Carmen Montijo and Inez Alvarez!
But not strange to one acquainted with Gil Gomez and Jose Hernandez--and
too intelligible if knowing their intention towards these ladies. It
may be learnt by listening to their conversation; Hernandez, who has
introduced the subject, asking:
"About the _muchachas_? What are we to do with them after getting
ashore?"
"Marry them, of course," promptly answers the other. "That's what I
mean doing with the beautiful Dona Carmen. Don't you intend the same
with Dona Inez?"
"Of course--if I can."
"Can! There need be no difficulty about it, _camarado_."
"I hope not; though I think there will, and a good deal. There's
certain to be some."
"In what way?"
"Suppose they don't give their consent!"
"A fig for their consent! We shall force it! Don't be letting that
scare you. Whether they're agreeable or not, we'll have a marriage
ceremony, or the form of one--all the same. I can fix that, or I'm much
mistaken about the place we're going to, and the sort of men we may
expect to meet there. When I last looked on Santiago De Veragua--
bidding adieu to a place that was rather pleasant--I left behind a few
old familiars, who are not likely to have forgotten me, though long
years have rolled by since. Some there, who will still be willing, and
ready, to do me a service, I doubt not; especially now I have the means
to pay for it, and handsomely. If the Padre Padierna be yet alive,
he'll marry me to Carmen Montijo without asking _her_ any questions; or,
if he did, caring what answers she might give to them. It's now nine
years since I saw the worthy Father, and he may have kicked up his heels
long ago; though that's not likely. He was a tough old sinner, and knew
how to take care of himself. However, it won't matter much. If he's
under ground, I've got another string to my bow, in the young _extra_,
Gonzaga; who, in my time, had charge of souls in a _parrochia_, nearer
the place where I hope we shall be able to make shore. He may by this
have risen to be grand church dignitary. Whether or not, I've but
little fear of his having forgotten old times, when he and I used to go
shares in certain little adventures of the amorous kind. So you
perceive, _mio amigo_, we're not drifting towards a desert coast,
inhabited only by savages; but one where we'll find all the means and
appliances of civilisation--among them a priest, to do the little bit of
ecclesiastical service we may stand in need of, and without asking
awkward questions, or caring a _claco_ for consequences. Neither of the
two I've spoken of will trouble their consciences on that score, so long
as it's _me_. More especially after I've shown them the colour of the
stuff with which our pockets will be so plentifully lined. And if
neither of my old acquaintances turn up, there are no end of others,
who'll be willing to tie the knot that's to make us happy for life. I
tell you, _hombre_, we're steering straight towards an earthly paradise.
You'll find Santiago all that."
"I hope it may be, as you say."
"You may rest sure of it. Once in the old Veraguan town, with these
women as our wives--and they no longer able to question our calling them
so--we can enter society without fear of showing our faces. And with
this big _bonanza_ at our backs, we may lead a luxurious life there; or
go anywhere else it pleases us. As for returning to your dear
California, as you call it, you won't care for that when you've become a
Benedict."
"You've made up your mind, then, that we marry them?"
"Of course I have, and for certain reasons. Otherwise, I shouldn't so
much care, now that they're in our power, and we can dictate terms to
them. You can do as you please respecting marriage, though you have the
same reasons as myself, for changing your senorita into a senora."
"What do you allude to?"
"To the fact that both these damsels have large properties in Spain, as
a worthy friend in San Francisco made me aware just before leaving. The
Dona Carmen will inherit handsomely at her father's death, which is the
same as if said and done now. I don't refer to his gold-dust, but a
large landed property the old gentleman is soon coming into in Biscay;
and which, please God, I shall some day look up and take possession of.
While the other has no end of acres in Andalusia, with whole streets of
houses in Cadiz. To get all that, these women must be our wives;
otherwise, we should have no claim to it, nor yet be able to show our
faces in Spain."
"Of course I'm glad to hear about all that," rejoins Hernandez; "but, if
you believe me, it's not altogether the money that's been tempting me
throughout this whole affair. I'm mad in love with Inez Alvarez;--so
mad, that if she hadn't a _claco_ in the world I'm willing to be her
husband."
"Say, rather, her master; as I intend to be of Carmen Montijo. Ah! once
we get ashore, I'll teach her submission. The haughty dame will learn
what it is to be a wife. And if not an obedient one, _por Dios_! she
shall have a divorce, that is, after I've squeezed out of her the
Biscayan estate. Then she can go free, if it so please her."
On pronouncing this speech, the expression on the speaker's countenance
is truly satanic. It seems to foreshadow a sad fate for Carmen Montijo.
For some seconds there is silence between the plotters. Again breaking
it, Hernandez says:
"I don't like the idea of our putting the old gentleman to death. Is
there no other way we could dispose of him?"
"Pah, _hombre_! You're always harping on the strings of humanity;
striking discordant sounds too. There's no other way by which we can be
ourselves safe. If we let him live, he'd be sure to turn up somewhere,
and tell a tale that would get both our throats grappled by the
_garrota_. The women might do the same, if we didn't make wives of
them. Once that, and we can make exhibit of our marriage certificates,
their words will go for nought. Besides, having full marital powers, we
can take precautions against any scandal. Don Gregorio has got to die;
the skipper too; and that rough fellow, the first mate--with the old
blackamoor _cocinero_."
"_Maldita_! I don't feel up to all that. It will be rank wholesale
murder."
"Nothing of the sort--only drowning. And we needn't do that either.
They can be tied before we scuttle the ship, and left to go down along
with her. By the time she sinks, we'll be a long way off; and you, my
sensitive and sentimental friend, neither see nor hear anything to give
your tender heart a horror."
"The thought of it's enough."
"But how is it to be helped? If they're allowed to live, we'd never be
out of danger. Maybe, you'd like to abandon the business altogether,
and resign thought of ever having the pretty Inez for a wife?"
"There you mistake, _amigo_. Sooner than that, I'll do the killing
myself. Ay, kill _her_, rather than she shall get away from me."
"Now you're talking sense. But see! What's up yonder?"
The interrogatory is from seeing a group of men assembled on the
fore-deck, alongside the hatch. The sky cloudless, with a full moon
overhead, shows it to be composed of nearly, if not all, the _Condor's_
crew. The light also displays them in earnest gesticulation, while
their voices, borne aft, tell of some subject seriously debated.
What can it be? They of the last dog-watch, long since relieved, should
be asleep in their bunks. Why are they now on deck? Their presence
there, gives surprise to the two at the wheel.
And while engaged in expressing it, and interrogating one another, they
perceive the second mate coming aft--as also, that he makes approach in
hurried, yet stealthy manner.
"What is it?" asks Gomez.
"A strike," answers Padilla. "A mutiny among the men we engaged to
assist us."
"On what grounds?"
"They've got to know all about the gold-dust--even to the exact quantity
there is of it."
"Indeed! And what's their demand?"
"That we shall share it with them. They say they'll have it so."
"The devil they do!"
"The old _ladrone_, Striker, began it. But what will astonish you still
more; the first mate knows all our plans, and's agreed to go in along
with us. He's at the head of the mutineers, too, and insists on the
same thing. They swear, if we don't divide equally, the strongest will
take what they can. I've hastened hither to ask you what we'd best do."
"They're determined, are they?"
"To the death--they all say so."
"In that case," mutters Gomez, after a moment or two spent in
reflection, "I suppose we'll have to yield to their demands. I see no
help for it. Go straight back, and say something to pacify them. Try
to put things off, till we have time to consider. _Maldita_! this is an
unexpected difficulty--ugly as sin itself!"
Padilla is about to return to his discontented shipmates on the
forward-deck; but is saved the journey, seeing them come aft. Nor do
they hesitate to invade the sacred precincts of the quarter; for they
have no fear of being forbidden. There they pause for a few seconds,
and then continue on.
Soon they mount to the poop-deck, and cluster around the wheel; the
whole crew now present--mates as men--all save the captain and cook.
And all take part in the colloquy that succeeds, either in speech or by
gesture.
The debate is short, and the question in dispute soon decided. Harry
Blew and Jack Striker are the chief spokesmen; and both talk
determinedly; the others, with interests identical, backing them up by
gestures, and exclamations of encouragement.
"Shipmates!" says the first officer, "this thing we're all after should
be equally divided between us."
"Must be," adds Striker, with an oath. "Share and share alike. That's
the only fair way. An' the only one we'll gie in to."
"Stick to that, Striker!" cries Davis: "we'll stand by ye."
"_Pe gar! certainement_," endorses the Frenchman, "Vat for no? _Sacre
bleu_! ve vill. I am for _les droits de matelot_--_le vrai chose
democratique_. Vive le fair play!"
Dane and Dutchman, with Tarry and Slush, speak in the same strain.
The scene is as short, as violent. The Spaniards perceiving themselves
in a minority, and a position that threatens unpleasant consequences,
soon yield, declaring their consent to an equal distribution of the
"dust."
After which, the men belonging to the off-watch retire to the
forecastle, and there betake themselves to their bunks; while the others
scatter about the decks.
Gil Gomez remains at the wheel, his time not yet being up; Hernandez
beside him. For some moments, the two are silent, their brows shadowed
with gloom. It is not pleasant to lose fifty thousand dollars apiece;
and something like this have they lost within the last ten minutes.
Still there is a reflection upon which they can fall back well
calculated to soothe them--other bright skies ahead.
Gomez first returning to think of this, says:
"Never mind, _amigo_. There will be money enough to serve our present
purposes all the same. And for the future we can both build on a good
sure foundation."
"On what?"
"On our `Castles in Spain!'"