The Golden Rock Part 14

Webster leaned over the side, ran his eyes over the men on deck who were drinking with the three soldiers, then spoke a word to the Quartermaster, who immediately joined the group, placing himself as he did so between the soldiers and their rifles, which rested against the side.

Webster strolled to the chart house, took another look at the group on guard, then flung himself on the Lieutenant, pinning that astonished individual by the throat. There was a scuffle forward, a smothered cry or so, and in a minute the four Portuguese were bound and gagged.

"Lower the long boat, Mr Webster," said the Captain in low tones.

This was done by the now thoroughly alert and expectant crew in silence.

"Man the boat, take a tow-line, and make for the coal barges."

Four men dropped into the boat, a tow-line was made fast.

"Weigh anchor and deaden the noise with tow. Let the flukes hang for the present."

Quietly and slowly the anchor came in. Webster entered the boat, the tow-line tautened, and the _Swift_ gradually moved off in the direction of the barges.

Meanwhile Hume had met a boat half-way from the sh.o.r.e, with the chief engineer on board, and taking him in, waited till the sh.o.r.e boat had rowed out of hearing, then shaped for the barges.

"You are shaping a wrong course for the _Swift_, Mr Hume."

"We are making for two barges laden with coal, Mr Dixon."

"Oh, oh, what's in the wind?"

"These beggars won't give us coal, so we mean to take it. We will approach the barges quietly, board them, and secure the people on board.

Will you a.s.sist us, Mr Dixon?"

"Certainly, my boy; and what's the Captain doing meanwhile?"

"He'll be alongside very soon after we have done our business. No doubt he's on the move now, with a tow-line out. Gently, men, I think I see the loom of something dark."

They stole softly up to the unwieldy boats, going alongside one which had an awning forward, made the boat fast, then clambered on deck. One of the sailors walked along the broadside, and reconnoitred. There were two men only, sleeping on a rough bed of sacks, their forms dimly outlined by the light of a lantern. He then crossed to the other boat, which was unoccupied. He made his report, and next minute the sleepers were aroused to find four men standing over them. They permitted themselves to be bound without a murmur, on an a.s.surance from Hume that they would not be harmed.

A few minutes later the _Swift_ crept up, took in her boat, and got up steam.

"Make fast the tow-line to the barges, Mr Hume," came an order from the Captain.

"It is done, sir."

"Cut the moorings."

The rope was cut, and the _Swift_ steamed out, towing the barges, until she had rounded the south-western point below Funchal, when she dropped anchor, and all hands, including the two Portuguese sailors, were hard at it, transferring her coal to the torpedo-catcher. The coal was in sacks, the steam tackle was set in motion, and with a loud noise that sooner or later would reach the ears of the people ash.o.r.e, the precious cargo was swung on board and shot down the shoots, covering every part of the deck and rigging with grit. The long, low steamer lay sandwiched between the barges, and while the steam tackle worked aft, forward the sacks were handled by the men, everyone, except Miss Anstrade and Mr Commins, lending a willing hand.

They had been hard at work for an hour, when a confused babble of shouting was heard from the port, and shortly after they saw a shaft of light shoot into the sky and glance across the harbour. It was the flash-light from the little fort, and no doubt revealed the absence of steamer and coal barges.

Presently they heard the beat of engines--a steamer's light appeared round the point.

"Show a light, Mr Webster. We don't want to be run down."

A red light was hung out over the stem.

"Keep on with your work," shouted the Captain, as the men paused to watch the progress of the steamer.

"Carambo! Senor Capitaine, what in the devil's name is the meaning of this?" shouted a deep voice from the steamer, in furious accents.

"Quien es?"

"Demonios! Colonel Alvaro, commander of the fort. What mean you by moving off like a thief in the dark? It is an offence against Portugal and the laws."

Captain Pardoe laughed. "I am merely taking coal for which I am willing to pay. Will you receive the money?"

"Yes," said a strange voice; "I represent the coal company."

There was an altercation on board the tug, for such it proved to be.

"I protest, Colonel Alvaro. When I have received payment you may do what you like. Lower a boat."

Colonel Alvaro gave way, the boat was lowered, and a young Englishman stepped on board, who was immediately taken below, where he made a good bargain.

"Now, Captain," he said, after securing a roll of notes, "you have acted in a high-handed manner, and it is no business of mine to help you, but the sooner you move the better. The wars.h.i.+p _Esperanza_ has been signalled, and will be here in half an hour."

"Thank you," said the Captain, with a grim smile; "we can look after ourselves. Mr Webster, release the soldiers, and let them return with these gentlemen."

Webster did so, and could not forbear chaffing Lieutenant Gobo. "We are no match for you, Lieutenant, in resource, but you see we are having our own way."

"Matre de Dios!" cried the Lieutenant, grinding his teeth, "you will pay for this, you base picaro!" and he shot a vengeful glance at Webster and Hume, who stood close by, their faces black with coal-dust.

Little did they dream that Gobo would make good his threat.

The tug waited for its boat, then steamed away towards the harbour at great speed, Colonel Alvaro and Lieutenant Gobo shouting a string of threats as to what they would do on their return.

Mr Dixon reported that the bunkers were filled.

"Stack a row of sacks along the sides, and have them lashed. Get a full head of steam up. Mr Webster, cast this boat off from the port side."

Soon the steam from the escape pipe set up its shrill clamour.

The Captain mounted to the bridge, and with his night gla.s.s fixed to his eye searched the mouth of the harbour.

"See that row of lights, Captain?" said Miss Laura.

"A steamer just entering the harbour."

"And there is another light moving."

"That is the tug which just left us. Is there much more coal left, Mr Webster?"

"About fifty sacks, sir, I should say."

"Whip them in, then. All firemen get below." He approached the tube.