Bing Gananda 20

13 Fire in the Night


As the sailors brought the wounded man aboard, Martin asked them what had happened.
"We was attacked by a lion, Captain," one answered.
When the cook saw the man he said nothing. Martin took him aside.
"Well?"
"He's a goner, Cap'n. We could cut off his arm, but he won't make it either way."
"Dammit."
Morris lay on deck moaning weakly. There was blood on his lips. He was obviously dying. They might as well get it over with. Martin pointed to one of the sailors that had brought him.
"Ben, cut his throat."
The man looked bewildered.
"Now!"
Martin's hand was on his pistol. The sailor reluctantly drew a knife from his belt. Morris looked up at him, eyes pleading. He looked again at Martin, who drew the gun. Then the man bent down, and slit Morris's throat.
"Throw him over."
As the sailors heaved Morris over the rail, Martin walked to his cabin.
As the cook walked away, he muttered under his breath,
"We're all under the curse now."
The sailors looked at each other, and said nothing.

On shore, the men threw more wood on the fire, and watched the jungle warily.


"Captain" Martin was brooding over a some brandy from the former captain's cabinet. Captain Pearce had had good taste. But it was hard to enjoy his new situation. He did have command of the ship, but what good was that with no crew? And the way things were going, there would soon not be enough men left to man her. He sat and stared at the lantern on the table.
It had been inevitable that some would be lost in the mutiny. But who could have known about this "lion" or whatever it was. And, he suspected that Grinder had really been killed by some of the crew. He was a bully and a fool, and he had had it coming.
But he hated to lose Jackson. He was an excellent seaman, and would have made a good mate. Hull and Roper were both too hotheaded. Now, he would have to make the best of things as they were.
Hull and Roper had been part of the conspiracy nearly from the beginning. Once they had possession of the ship, they were to sail to the coast where they would be joined by Señor López and his daughter Maria. They would supply more men, and more importantly, several guns.
This island would be a perfect base for them. There was a good anchorage, sheltered from the prevailing winds. It was not on any charts, yet close enough to the coastal trade for their raids. And with Governor López behind them, there would be little to fear from the authorities.
But that storm had complicated things. They should have already been back to Santa Rosa. Now they would be stuck here even longer until the repairs were finished. He missed Maria.
He did not miss Mr. Tindor though. Their last port of call, before the storm, had been Santa Rosa, on the coast, where López was governor. He had entertained them lavishly. Pearce had suspected nothing. But Señorita López had paid Mr. Tindor way too much attention. He was glad to be rid of him.


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