THE SECOND PROPOSAL.
Montbarts allowed the enthusiasm of his comrades time to calm, and then
spoke again.
There was no change in his appearance; nothing in his face denoted
the joy of triumph or of satisfied ambition; still the vote of his
companions, by nominating him Chief of the filibusters, had rendered
him in a moment a man more powerful than many a prince. His face was
just as impassive, his voice equally firm.
"Brothers," he said, "do you remember that I had a second proposal to
make to you?"
"That is true," William Drake replied--"speak, brother, we are
listening to you."
"The second proposal is as follows: still, I must request you before
answering me to reflect fully on it. Your opinion must not be lightly
expressed, for, I repeat to you, and dwell on it in order that you may
thoroughly understand me, this proposition is most serious and grave.
In a word, it is this:--I propose to you to abandon the island of St.
Kitts, and choose another place of refuge, more convenient, and, above
all, safer for you."
The filibusters gazed at him in amazement.
"I will explain," he said, stretching out his arms as if to request
silence; "listen to me carefully, brothers, for what you are going to
hear interests you all. Our refuge is badly chosen, and too remote from
the centre of our expeditions; the difficulties we have to surmount in
returning to it, in consequence of the currents that make our ships
drift, and the contrary winds that oppose their speed, make us lose
precious time. Now, the Caribbean archipelago is composed, of more
than thirty islands, among which it is easy for us, it seems to me, to
choose the one that suits us best. This idea which I bring before you
today I have been revolving in my mind for a long time. I have not
limited my expeditions to the pursuit of the gavachos. I have also made
a voyage of discovery, and believe that I have found the spot suited
for us."
"Whereabouts is it, brother?" David asked, making himself spokesman for
his companions.
"I mean the island which the Spaniards call Hispaniola, and you know as
St. Domingo."
"But, brother," Bartholomew here interposed, "that island, which, I
allow, is immense, and covered with magnificent forests, is inhabited
by the Spaniards; if we went there it would be really placing ourselves
in the wolf's throat."
"I thought as you do before I had assured myself of the reality of the
fact, but now I am certain of the contrary; not alone is the island
only partially occupied by the gavachos, but we shall also find allies
in the parties they have despised."
"Allies!" the filibusters exclaimed, in surprise.
"Yes, brothers, and in this wise.--When Don Fernando de Toledo attacked
St. Kitts, the French who succeeded in escaping from the massacre
took refuge on the adjacent islands, as you are aware; many of them
went further, and reached St. Domingo, where they found a refuge.
That was bold, was it not? But, I repeat to you, the Spaniards occupy
scarce one-half of it. At the period of the discovery they left some
horned cattle on the island; these beasts have propagated, and now
exist in herds. The immense savannahs of St. Domingo are covered with
innumerable herds of wild oxen which graze on all the uninhabited part;
these herds, as you are aware, are a certain resource for revictualling
our ships, and, moreover, the vicinity of the Spanish colonists offers
us the means to satiate our hatred upon them; besides, our companions
who have been established on the island for some years past wage an
incessant and obstinate war upon them."
"Yes, yes," said Belle Tête, pensively; "I understand what you are
saying to us, brother. You are right up to a certain point; but let us
discuss the matter quietly and coolly, like serious men."
"Speak," Montbarts replied; "each of us has the right to express his
opinion when the common interest is concerned."
"Brave though we are, and we may boast of it frankly, for, thank
heaven, our courage is well known, we are not strong enough for all
that--at present at least--to measure ourselves against the Spanish
power on land; there is a difference between capturing a ship and
facing an entire population. You allow that, I suppose, brother?"
"Certainly I do."
"Very good, I will go on. It is evident that the Spaniards, who up to
the present have probably not noticed them, or, at any rate, owing
to their small number and slight importance, have disdained the
adventurers established on the desert part of the island; when they see
that this establishment, which they supposed to be temporary, and due
to the caprice of our brothers, is becoming permanent, and assuming the
menacing proportions of a colony, they will refuse to permit it--what
will happen then? This: they will collect all their forces, assail us
suddenly, destroy us after a desperate resistance, and ruin at one
blow, not only our new colony, but also our hopes of vengeance."
These remarks of Belle Tête, which displayed close logic, produced a
certain effect on the filibusters, who began exchanging meaning looks;
but Montbarts did not allow the spirit of opposition time to spread,
and at once went on to say--
"You would be right, brother, if, as you suppose, we were to place our
principal establishment on St. Domingo; it is evident that we should be
crushed by numbers, and forced to retire disgracefully; but a man would
know me badly if he supposed that I, who have an implacable hatred of
these infamous gavachos, could possibly conceive such a plan for a
moment, if I had not previously assured myself about its success, and
the profit we shall derive from it."
"Come, brother," Drake said, "explain yourself clearly; we are
listening to you with the most earnest attention."
"To the northwest of St. Domingo, and only separated from it by a
narrow channel, there is an island about eight leagues long, surrounded
by rocks called the iron coast, which render any landing impossible,
except at the south, where there is a fine port, whose bottom is
composed of sand, and where vessels are sheltered from all winds,
which, besides, are not violent in those parts; there are also a few
sandy bays scattered along the coast, but they are only approachable
by canoes. This island is called Tortuga or Tortoise Island, owing
to its shape, which slightly resembles that animal. Here it is,
brothers, I propose that we should form our principal establishment,
or, if you prefer it, our headquarters. The Port of Peace, and Port
Margot, situated facing Tortoise Isle, will enable us to keep up an
easy communication with St. Domingo: sheltered in our island, as in
an impregnable fortress, we shall brave the efforts of the whole
Spanish power. But I do not wish to deceive you, and must tell you
everything; the Spaniards are on their guard; they have foreseen that
if buccaneering goes on, that is to say, if they do not succeed in
destroying us, the excellent position of that island would not escape
our notice, and that we should probably attempt to seize on it: hence
they have had it occupied by twenty-five soldiers, commanded by an
alférez. Do not smile, brothers; although the garrison is small, it
is sufficient, owing to the manner in which it is entrenched, and the
difficulties a landing offers; and then, too, it can easily obtain
reinforcements from the Grande Terre in a very short time. I have often
landed in disguise on Tortoise Isle. I have inspected it with the
greatest care, and hence you can attach the most entire confidence to
the information I am giving you."
"Montbarts is right," Yoc, the Brazilian, said at this moment; "I know
Tortoise Isle, and, like him, I am persuaded that island will offer us
a far surer and more advantageous shelter than St. Kitts."
"Now, brothers," Montbarts resumed, "reflect, and answer yes or no. If
you accept my offer I will prepare to realize my plan by seizing the
island; if you refuse, I will never mention it again."
And, in order by his absence to give more liberty for discussion, the
adventurer left the room, and proceeded to the terrace in front of the
hatto, where he began walking up and down, apparently indifferent to
what was going on, but in his heart very anxious as to the result of
the deliberation.
He had only been walking up and down for a few minutes, when a slight
whistle was audible a short distance off, so gently modulated, that
it needed all the sharpness of hearing with which the filibuster was
endowed, to catch it.
He walked rapidly in the direction where this species of signal had
been heard. At the same moment, a man lying on the ground, and so
thoroughly concealed by the gloom that it was impossible to perceive
him unless he was known to be there, raised his head, and displayed
in the white moonbeams the copper face, and delicate and intelligent
features of a Carib.
"Omopoua?" the filibuster said.
"I am waiting!" the Indian laconically answered, as he sprang up at one
bound, and stood erect before him.
Omopoua, that is to say, the leaper, was a young man of twenty-five
years of age at the most, of a tall and admirably proportioned stature,
whose skin had the gilded shade of Florentine bronze. He was naked,
with the exception of thin canvas drawers, fastening round his hips,
and falling nearly to his knees. His long, black hair, parted in the
centre of his head, fell on his shoulders on either side. He had no
other weapons but a long knife, and a bayonet passed through a cowhide
belt.
"Has the man arrived?" Montbarts asked.
"He has."
"Has Omopoua seen him?"
"Yes."
"Does he fancy himself recognised?"
"Only the eye of a determined foe could guess him beneath his disguise."
"That is well! My brother will conduct me to him?"
"I will lead the pale chief."
"Good! Where shall I find Omopoua an hour after sunrise?"
"Omopoua will be in his hut."
"I will come there;" and, hearing several voices calling him from the
interior of the hatto, he said, "I reckon on the Indian's promise."
"Yes, if the chief keeps his."
"I shall keep it."
After exchanging a last meaning look with the filibuster, the
Carib glided down the face of the cliff, and disappeared almost
instantaneously.
Montbarts remained for a moment motionless, plunged in deep thought;
then, giving a sudden start, and passing his hand over his forehead, as
if to efface any sign of emotion, he hastily re-entered the hatto.
The deliberation was ended. The filibusters had returned to their
seats, and Montbarts went back to his, and waited with affected
indifference, till one of his comrades thought proper to speak.
"Brother," David then said, "we have thoroughly discussed your
proposal. My comrades authorize me to tell you that they accept it, but
they merely desire to know what means you intend to employ in carrying
out your plan, and insuring its success?"
"Brothers, I thank you," Montbarts replied, "for giving me your
consent. As to the means I intend to employ in seizing Tortoise Isle,
permit me, for the present, to keep them secret, as the success of the
expedition depends on it. You need only be told that I do not wish to
compromise the interests of anyone, and that I intend to run all the
risk alone."
"You do not understand me, brother, or else I have explained myself
badly," David replied. "If I asked you in what way you proposed to act,
I was not at all impelled by a puerile curiosity, but because, in so
serious a question, which interests the entire association, we have
resolved to accompany you, and to die or conquer with you. We wish
to share the honour of the triumph, or assume a part of the defeat."
Montbarts felt involuntarily affected by these generous words, so nobly
pronounced; and by a spontaneous movement he held out his hands to the
filibusters, who pressed them energetically, and said,--
"You are right, brothers. We must all share in the great work which, I
hope, will at length place us in the position to achieve great things.
We will all go to Tortoise Island. But I will ask you--and believe me
that I am not speaking thus through any ambitious motive--to let me
conduct the expedition."
"Are you not our chief?" the filibusters exclaimed.
"We will obey you according to the laws of buccaneering," David added.
"The man who conceives an expedition has alone the right to command. We
will be your soldiers."
"That is settled, brothers. Tomorrow morning, at eleven, after
attending the sale of the new engagés, who arrived from France the
day before yesterday, I will go to the governor, and tell him I am
preparing a fresh expedition, and enlistment can begin at once."
"Not one of us will be missing at the rendezvous," said Belle Tête. "I
must buy two engagés to fill the places of two idlers, who have just
died of sheer idleness."
"That is settled," said Bartholomew. "At eleven o'clock we will all be
at Basse Terre."
They then rose and prepared to retire: for the whole night had passed
away in these discussions, and the sun, although still beneath the
horizon, was already beginning to tinge it with a purple hue, that
testified it would soon appear.
"By the way," Montbarts said, with an indifferent air to Morgan, whom
with the rest he accompanied to the head of the path; "if you are not
greatly attached to your Carib--I forget how you call him--"
"Omopoua?"
"Ah! yes. Well, I was saying that if you were not indisposed to part
with him, I should feel obliged by your letting me have him."
"Do you want him?"
"Yes. I think he will be useful to me."
"In that case, take him, brother. I yield him to you, although he is a
good workman, and I am satisfied with him."
"Thanks, brother. What value do you set on him?"
"Well, I will not bargain with you, brother. I saw a rather handsome
fusil in your house. Give it to me, and take the Indian, and we shall
be quits."
"Wait a minute, then."
"Why?"
"Because I will give you the fusil at once. You will send me the
Indian; or, if I have time, I will call and fetch him during the day."
The filibuster returned to the hatto, took down the fusil, and carried
it to Morgan, who threw it on his shoulder with a movement of joy.
"Well, that is settled," he said. "Good-bye, for the present."
"We shall meet again soon," Montbarts answered, and they separated.
Montbarts threw a thick cloak over his shoulders, put on a broad
brimmed hat, whose brim fell over his face, and concealed his features,
and then turning to Michael, said:
"Mate, an important matter obliges me to go to Basse Terre; you will
go to our governor, the Chevalier de Fontenay, and without entering
into any details, and being very careful not to betray our secret, you
will simply warn him that I am preparing a fresh expedition."
"Very good, mate, I will go," Michael answered.
"You will then examine the lugger, and occupy yourself with Bowline, in
getting her ready to put to sea."
After giving these instructions to the two sailors, Montbarts left the
house, and descended the cliff.
The Chevalier de Fontenay, like M. d'Esnambuc, whom he had succeeded
two years before as governor of St. Kitts, was a cadet of Normandy, who
had come to the isles to try his fortune, and before becoming governor
had joined in many buccaneering expeditions. He was exactly the man
they wanted; he left them at liberty to act as they pleased, never
asked them for any accounts, understood at half a word, and contented
himself with raising a tithe on the prizes--a voluntary tribute which
the adventurers paid him in return for the protection he was supposed
to give them in the king's name by legitimating their position.
The sun had risen, a fresh sea breeze caused the leaves to rustle, and
the birds were singing on the branches. Montbarts walked on hurriedly,
looking neither to the right nor left, and apparently plunged in deep
thought.
On reaching the entrance of the village of Basse Terre, instead of
entering it, he skirted it, and going along a narrow path that crossed
a tobacco plantation, he went toward the interior of the island,
proceeding in the direction of Mount Misery, whose rise was already
perceptible beneath his feet.
After a very long walk, the filibuster at length stopped at the
entrance of a dry gorge, on one of the slopes of which stood a wretched
hut of tree trunks, poorly covered with palm leaves. A man was standing
in the doorway of this cabin: on perceiving Montbarts he uttered a cry
of joy and rushed toward him, running over the rocks with the rapidity
and lightness of a deer.
This man was Omopoua, the Carib; on coming up to the filibuster, he
fell on his knees.
"Rise," the adventurer said to him, "what have you to thank me for?"
"My master told me an hour ago that I no longer belonged to him, but to
you."
"Well, did I not promise it to you?"
"That is true, but the white men always promise, and never keep their
word."
"You see a proof of the contrary; come, get up, your master has sold
you to me, it is true, but I give you your liberty; you have now but
one master, God."
The Indian rose, laid his hand on his chest, tottered, his features
were contracted, and for a moment he seemed suffering from a violent
internal emotion, which in spite of all the power he had over himself,
he could not succeed in mastering.
Montbarts, calm and gloomy, examined him attentively, while fixing a
scrutinizing glance upon him.
At length the Indian succeeded in speaking, though his voice issued
from his throat like a whistle.
"Omopoua was a renowned chief among his people," he said; "a Spaniard
had degraded him by making him a slave, through treachery, and selling
him like a beast of burden: you restore Omopoua to the rank from which
he ought never to have descended. It is well, you lose a bad slave,
but gain a devoted friend; were it not for you I should be dead--my
life belongs to you."
Montbarts offered the Carib his hand, which he kissed respectfully.
"Do you intend to remain at Saint Kitts, or would you like to return to
Haiti?"
"The family of Omopoua," the Indian replied, "and what remains of his
people, are wandering about the savannahs of Bohis, but where you go, I
will go."
"Very good, you shall follow me; now lead me to the man, you know whom."
"At once."
"Are you certain he is a Spaniard?"
"I am."
"You do not know for what motives he has entered the island?"
"I do not."
"And at what place has he sought shelter?"
"With an Englishman."
"In the English colony there?"
"No; at Basse Terre."
"All the better. What is the Englishman's name?"
"Captain William Drake."
"Captain Drake!" Montbarts exclaimed with surprise, "It is impossible."
"It is so."
"In that case, the Captain does not know him."
"No; the man entered his house and asked for hospitality, and the
Captain could not refuse it to him."
"That is true; go up to my hatto, take clothes, a fusil--in short, what
weapons you like, and come to me at Captain Drake's; if I am no longer
there, you will find me on the port; begone."
Montbarts then turned back, and proceeded toward Basse Terre, while the
Carib went towards the hatto as the bird flies, according to Indian
custom.
Basse Terre was the entrepôt, or to speak more correctly, the
headquarters of the French colony: at the period when our story is laid
it was only a miserable township, built without order, according to the
caprice or convenience of each owner, an agglomeration of huts, rather
than a town, but producing at a distance a most picturesque effect
through this very chaos of houses of all shapes and sizes, thus grouped
along the seashore, in front of magnificent roads, filled with vessels
swinging at their anchors, and constantly furrowed by an infinite
number of canoes.
A battery of six guns, built on an advanced point, defended the
entrance of the roads.
But in this town, apparently so mean, dirty, and wretched, it was
possible to watch the circulation of the life full of sap, vigour, and
violence belonging to the strange inhabitants, unique in the world, who
formed its heterogeneous population. The narrow gloomy streets were
crowded with people of every description and colour, who came and went
with a busy air.
There were pothouses at the corner of all the streets and squares,
perambulating dealers shouted their goods in a ropy voice, and public
criers, followed by a crowd which was swelled at every step by all the
idlers, announced with a mighty noise of trumpets and drums, the sale
on that very day of the engagés, who had just arrived in a Company's
vessel.
Montbarts passed unnoticed through the crowd, and reached the door
of Captain Drake's house--a rather handsome looking and cleanly kept
house, which stood on the seashore at no great distance from the
governor's residence.
The filibuster pushed the door, which, according to the custom of the
country, was not locked, and entered the house.