“That is what I thought. So, to get us the most out of this sad predicament, we will get word to your crew of our demands.”
“You still believe I am worth more than -”
“Ah, ah, ah, now Capitán. We have been over that. Si, we do believe your crew will pay handsomely for your safe return. We do believe you have the capital that would make this deal a very worthy one. I have sent word to our benefactor of the plan and await his final decision.”
“And who is this mysterious benefactor you keep mentioning? Surely he can -”
“I cannot say who this man is, señor, for obvious reason. His name is not important to finalize this ransom plan. The only important matter is how much you are truly worth to your crew. Perhaps they will not pay and decide to continue without you. It is a chance we must take. The very least is that we can still give you over to the English who I am sure will be delighted to have you in chains and ready a speedy hanging. In any case, we will wait here for my messenger to come back and will proceed from there.”
Heinrich just nodded and tried as best to move his body in a position to ease some of the distressful pain he was suffering.
“I have to relieve myself, señor. And a bit of food and more water would be appreciated if you tend to ransom a live captive eventually.”
Señor Jefe, glanced at him for a long moment before he decided it made sense. The Spaniard pulled out a pistol and told his men to take him outside. The three of them stepped over and untied Drope from the chair. Then untied his ankles. Two of the men hauled him up out of the chair as the third one produced his own pistol and opened the door. Heinrich grimaced from the movement as his body parts felt aflame from the beating. Slowly they made their way to and out the door with Señor Jefe right behind covering with his pistol. He was determined not to let Heinrich out of his sight.
The outside terrain was of dense foliage in all directions. He was certain the place was well away from town and quite isolated. Assessing his situation, the number of men, the unknown location, and their close-armed proximity at all times, his chances for escape was less than slim. His only chance for survival was in his men’s abilities to find him somehow. The thought dimmed his hopes.
If only someone on board ship would be alarmed by now that he had not come back from meeting with several traders in town the previous night. He was expected back onboard the ship to meet with his section leaders the previous evening. Not having shown up would have – should have alerted them that something wasn’t right. To be late was one thing, but not showing up at all was not normal. Otto’s usual concern as his mother hen would inevitably cause the first officer to fret. It always had before. Heinrich usually felt encroached upon by his best friend’s persistence to treat him as a younger brother and always overly protective. Otto’s persistence was annoying, but right now Drope wished Otto would be annoyed instead and come looking for him.
Otto and Fritz both always kept time on him for safety concerns and would be worried by now and in a frazzle. And then there was the ever vigilant, Anton Krause, who still insisted he was Heinrich’s personal protector, for sure would have raised a stink by now. That would be of course if they did not think he had found a woman to shack up with, which was quite a reasonable intuition. Although, this was not San Juan, Nassau, or Savannah. This was just a tiny hamlet on a small island. But even so, what were they going to find back in the harbor town to indicate something wrong had happened if they did go looking for him? He had been hauled off so efficiently, without anyone else noticing.
Unless his men had hounds trained to look for a scent and then follow it precisely to this isolated place, he was entirely on his own against eight … no there were more than that he thought. A few others were most likely outside amongst the trees keeping a sharp eye for anyone coming along by mishap. And besides, the See Wolf did not have hounds. At least not the four-legged type. Someone such as Diego or Armando and a couple of his men were excellent trackers with noses that sensed particular things that were awry. Still, those were long shots, and Drope was a realist. It was up to him alone to figure a way out of this mess. His escape was a slim one. So, he decided to play along with their demands and see where that would lead for the moment.
The sharp crack of a shot rang out close by, and a man nearby screamed in pain. The two guards holding him flung him to the ground and held him down. Men shouted all around in their native tongue. He heard Señor Jefe shouting what could only be orders to his men. Drope’s initial thought came in a question. Had his men somehow found out his dilemma and come to his rescue so soon? The thought made his heart flutter with excitement. He could not assist in the rescue being tied up; or could he? Only his wrists were tied at the moment. But then suddenly he felt one of the pistol muzzles against his head. So, he laid as flat as he could and allow his crew to cause as much havoc and destruction to his captors as they were capable of. These miserable thugs would now feel the wrath of his well-trained combat crew. He almost felt sorry for them.
Winds of Fury Page 57
