CHAPTER III
Roger the Lieutenant
The men of England clambered aboard the huge Spaniard like so manymonkeys, pikes and swords gripped in their hands. Roger, accompanied byhis bosom friend Philip, followed close on the heels of the commander,the former carrying a pike, while Philip bore a short sword.
"Rally! Rally, men of England!" shouted Sir Thomas, as he ran forward tooppose the Spanish leader. "Throw yourselves upon them and sweep themfrom the decks!"
"We have them in our hands," called out the Spaniard. "We outnumber themby two to one. Now, one rush and they are gone back to their owncockleshell. Together! cut them down!"
There was no doubt that both sides were stubbornly determined to gainthe day, the Spaniards perhaps because they hardly knew what it was atthose times to meet with defeat, and the English because of theirnatural determination to win, and perhaps for the reason that defeatmeant so much to them. It was therefore with furious courage that theyattacked the enemy, their leader crossing swords with Sir Thomas. Rogerfound himself opposed to a man of medium height, who wielded a swordwith wonderful dexterity.
"We have a giant to fight against," cried out this veteran, with alaugh. "Then see how I will cut him down. See me slay the Englishgiant."
"And look to yourself that the giant does not run you through!"
In the excitement of the moment Roger forgot all caution, and wildlylunged at his enemy. But this Spanish man-at-arms was a well-triedwarrior, and he stepped aside with an easy movement, and with adisdainful smile on his lips.
"For all your height, but a child, Englishman," he said. "I will killyou before five minutes have passed, and then will your side be withoutits interpreter."
He set to work at once in earnest, and Roger had as much as he could doto defend himself. Indeed, he was never able to take the offensive, forthe merest attempt at a lunge was met so swiftly with such a rapidpresentation of the point of the sword wielded by his opponent, that henarrowly escaped. And if he could not touch his enemy, the Spaniardcould not do as he had sworn. Twice he had contrived to slightly woundRoger; but our hero merely smiled, for they were but pricks. And now thepress of the conflict was separating them. On every side men fought likefuries, the clash of weapons being heard amidst the shouts. Here andthere a man fell heavily to the deck, or staggered to the rail, there tolean against it while his hands clasped the wound.
But the English were gaining the centre of the deck. At the voice oftheir leader they advanced together by means of rushes, slashingfiercely, and sweeping the enemy back. And it was in one of these thatthe Spaniard who had opposed Roger endeavoured to fulfil his promise. Hegave way before the onslaught of the enemy, enticing Roger to follow.Then he turned like a tiger at bay, and fell upon the Englishman.
"A promise is a promise," he said. "Now I will kill you as I said."
He very nearly accomplished his purpose too, for his sword descendedwith tremendous force on Roger's steel cap, severing the handle of thepike on its way. Indeed, had he been a foot shorter the blow wouldcertainly have killed him. But it merely dented the steel cap, andcaused him to stagger forward, dropping the end of the pike. It was afine opportunity, and the Spaniard seized upon it.
"He felt the blow," he shouted. "Now he shall not feel it so much. Thisto settle the matter between us."
But he had spoken too quickly, for though Roger had staggered forward onto hands and knees, and, in fact, was in a position where his adversarycould easily despatch him, yet some fortunate chance caused our hero toact in a manner which saved his life. Had he snatched at the severedpike and tried to rise he would certainly have been cut down. Butfinding himself sprawling forward at the feet of the enemy, he stretchedto his full length on the deck, and with a rapid movement grasped thelegs of the Spaniard and lifted them from the boards. Then he flung themupward so quickly that the man crashed back upon the deck, striking it aheavy blow with his head. A second later Roger had taken his sword andhad rejoined his comrades.
"A narrow escape," gasped Philip. "You gave the fellow a fine toss, andone which will last him a lifetime. Look at him; he moves, and iscrawling away. If looks could annihilate, then our giant would be gone.But what will be the next move? That toss you gave seems to have beenthe signal for a pause in the fighting."
This was, in fact, what had happened. By mutual and unspoken consent thecombatants had drawn away from one another for the moment, and stoodglaring across the narrow stretch of deck, while they leaned on theirweapons and breathed heavily. But the respite was not to be longenjoyed, and presently, at a shout from Sir Thomas, the men from thebrigantine threw themselves once more upon the Spaniards.
"We will drive them to the far end of the deck," he said, "and then doyou, Roger de Luce, call upon them to surrender. Now, my men, let us seewho likes fighting the best."
There was no lack of enthusiasm amongst the gallant crew which had sorecently sailed from England, and though the enemy were stubborn, andfought with a fury and disregard of danger which had already won themfame, they were compelled to retire before the attackers. Struggling forevery inch of the deck, they were slowly forced back till the tall poopstood as a barrier behind them. Then it was that Roger's knowledge ofthe language saved his countrymen.
"Beware, Sir Thomas!" he shouted, working his way to their leader. "Iheard the Spanish captain calling upon his men to prepare to springaside while the guns were fired. They are screened behind the men, andthe gunners are ready now with the port fires."
"Then let every man fall flat upon the deck when Roger de Luce gives usthe word," shouted Sir Thomas. "Now, on to them again!"
A minute later there was a loud call from the Spanish leader, and atonce the enemy broke from the Englishmen, and fled to the rails of theship, disclosing a couple of big guns in rear which till that moment hadbeen practically hidden. But now they were ready to sweep the Englishinto the sea, and were crammed to the muzzle with all kinds of bulletsand scraps of iron and lead.
"Fall flat!" shouted Roger, setting the example by throwing himselfprone upon the deck. "Down, every one of you!"
The warning had come none too soon, and undoubtedly, had it not been forhis knowledge of the Spanish language, the English crew would have beenannihilated. As it was, they were barely upon their faces before twoloud explosions shook the galleon, and a mass of iron and lead shriekedover them, and, spreading widely, ploughed a huge hole in the bulwarks.It was a lucky escape, in fact, and Sir Thomas at once prepared to makethe most of it. But he was to meet with still more trouble, for theSpaniards were not yet beaten, and still outnumbered his own men. And,worse than that, a shout from one of them, and a turning of the heads ofall, called his attention elsewhere. Then he gave vent to a cry ofconsternation.
"Another ship, and larger than this, I fancy," he called out. "She isbearing down upon us from the island, and will be here in less than anhour. We are lost if we do not retire. Back to the ship, men. Cut thelashings and let us be gone."
"But then we shall be followed by this same ship, sir," shouted Roger."Cut her masts down before we go. It will take only a few minutes, andthe axes are here."
He waited to see whether his commander would approve, and then rushed tothe rack which stood at the foot of one of the masts, and which heldthree big axes, placed there for the very purpose for which they werenow to be used.
"Come, Philip," he shouted. "We will have the masts so weak in a minutethat they will not carry canvas, while our comrades can hold the enemy.There. Take an axe, and cut to the leeward side."
They fell upon the axes with even greater fury than they had shown someminutes before, and at once attacked the larger of the two masts carriedin the waist of the galleon. A third rose from the poop; but this couldnot be got at, and in any case was unimportant, for it could not carrysufficient canvas to matter. And as they hacked at the wood, Sir Thomasand his men held the enemy in check, beating back their frantic effortsto gain more of the deck and frustrate the efforts of the two who werecutting
at the masts. Roger and his comrade took not the slightestnotice of them, but instead ran to the second mast as soon as the firsthad been more than half cut through.
"It will fall the instant the ship is put into the wind," said theformer. "If we were to cut deeper it might fall now, and then weourselves and the men might be hurt, or even the spar might damage orimprison the brigantine. Now let us finish this one."
A minute later they shouted to Sir Thomas, and at the latter's ordersthe men began to retire slowly, keeping their faces to the enemy all thewhile. The latter did their utmost to hamper the retirement, and rusheddown upon the English furiously. But they could make no impression. Thesame stubborn, unbroken front was presented, and at the last moment,when many of the men had already regained the brigantine, a final rushand a furious onslaught sent the enemy flying.
"Now over the rail and into our own ship," said Sir Thomas. "But firstlet us put their cannon out of action. Come, we have men here who havethe strength, and those friendly discharges which should have swept usaway have done us a service, for they have cleared the rails. Throwyourselves upon the weapons and topple them overboard."
It was an excellent step to take, and Roger and his comrades carried thework out in a manner which did them the utmost credit. A few cuts withsword or axe severed the ropes which held the guns to their rings. Thena dozen pushed at the ponderous weapons, and one by one four of themwere thrown into the sea.
"Now retire," said Sir Thomas; "and do you, Roger de Luce, ask the nameof the commander here."
Our hero at once stood forward, his axe over his shoulder, and hisdented cap tipped to the back of his head. A fine, gallant young fellowhe looked, too, with his fair hair and his open features. His head washeld erect, and there was a look about him which told of infiniteassurance in himself and his comrades.
"From my master, the commander of the brigantine," he called out. "Hedesires to learn the name of the brave commander of this Spanishgalleon."
"Then answer thus." The leader of the Spaniards stepped to the centre ofthe deck, his helmet discarded, and showing a bearded, strong face. Hewas covered in every other part by beautifully made armour, and a swordwas gripped in one hand. Resting the tip of it on the deck, he leanedupon the hilt and looked towards Sir Thomas. "I am Don Cabeza de Vaca,"he said, "and I would ask for the name of my opponent."
"He is Sir Thomas Brice, commander of the brigantine."
"Then tell him that I honour him as a valiant foe, and that I counselhim to depart from these waters. If he escapes the ship which now bearsdown upon us he will meet with others, for we are on the watch. He willbe wise to retire to England, for in these waters he will meet withopposition, and if captured will be executed. This is my friendlywarning to a gallant foe."
Roger rapidly translated the words, and waited for his leader's answer.
"Tell the brave Don that I thank him for his advice, but cannot followit, even if I would. Let him know that nothing shall keep me fromsailing on."
A minute later the Spaniard retired to the centre of his men, and Rogerclambered over the rail and down to the deck of the brigantine. Alreadythe majority of the lashings had been cast loose, and a few cuts with aknife severed what remained. Then the vessels drifted apart, while thecrews watched one another. But there was a strong breeze blowing, andthe sails catching this, the brigantine very soon left her opponent inthe distance. As for the Spanish vessel, it turned out that thingshappened as Roger had prophesied; for the minute that she was thrown onto a course to follow the English, the pull of her sails caused theweakened masts to crack, and they came thundering down across her decks.She was left a complete wreck, disarmed and helpless.
"We will crack on every stitch of canvas which we possess," said SirThomas, as the brigantine increased her distance from the vessel withwhich she had just been in action. "What are our chances, master? Willyonder big galleon overhaul us easily?"
"Ay, Sir Thomas. She will sail five feet to our four, and will come upwith us. But when, is the question which we have to settle. It is justpast noon now, and she is some leagues away. I should say that her gunswill speak to us as the dusk falls, and we shall disappear in thedarkness as she gets to closer action. Then your honour must decidewhich course to take. You might attempt to take them by the board, as inthis last case."
"And in that should lose more of my men. No; I think that I will take ashrewder action, for I cannot afford to lose more. Even now I do notknow what our losses have been, though I fear that they are heavy. Butat night the gravest accidents happen. We might run us aboard thisgalleon, and when we were on her deck some of the enemy might cut thelashings and send us adrift. Come hither, Roger de Luce, well called ourgiant, for you are strong in limb, and a power to us also in that youare our only interpreter. Glad am I to see you secure and safe, for atone time, as I looked in the midst of the _melee_ I thought that thatred-bearded Spaniard would give you the _coup de grace_. You flung himfinely, and by a clever trick, quickly thought on, and still morerapidly adopted. That shows that you have a ready wit besides strengthof arm, and reminds me that to you we owe the fact that yonder galleonis not now pounding us with her shot. For had the masts still stood, shewould have covered them with canvas and come after us, with the hope oftaking us before the arrival of her consort. Such efforts do men make toobtain the whole share of honour and warlike glory. Yes, 'twas a finemanoeuvre, and it has placed them out of action. We owe you much, and,as a sign of my good favour, I herewith appoint you my lieutenant, forthere are vacancies, I grieve to say. Now, you have given us a leadbefore; the master says that as the dusk falls yonder ship will have therange of us, and that as night comes her shot will be pounding into us.What shall be our action in these circumstances?"
He stood leaning on his sword, still breathing heavily, for he hadfought with all his strength and energy, and had made an able andgallant leader. Nor was his appearance less dignified or grand than thatof Don Cabeza de Vaca; for he also was dressed in the full armour ofthat period, armour beneath the weight of which many a man would havegroaned, particularly in that hot climate. But Sir Thomas was in his ownway a fine Englishman, sturdy and broad-shouldered, and hardened tomuch fatigue by long warring with France. The point of his weaponpierced the deck as he leaned upon it, while he pushed up the portion ofhis helmet which protected the face, and hooked it into position so thatit would not fall again.
"Come, Sir Giant," he said with a gay laugh, the laugh of one who knowsthat he and his men have done well, and who feels relieved and gratifiedthereby, "tell us whither to go next, and how to hoodwink these craftySpaniards."
"Will the master say what would happen were we to keep steadily on thiscourse during the night?" demanded Roger, flushing at the honour donehim, and at the thought of his promotion, a promotion quite unexpected.
"I can say that with ease," was the answer, as the master cast an eyealoft and shouted to the sailors to direct them as to the spreading ofmore sail. "We may put on sheet after sheet, and still that galleon willoutsail us, for she has bigger masts and yards, and carries a biggerproportion of canvas. She will overhaul us of a surety, and were thenight promising to be dark, might easily ride past us. But the sky isclear. Fine weather is before us, and the moon rises at an early hour."
"So that to continue as we go will mean another action, with an enemywho is fresh, while we are sore knocked about, and who, moreover, has agalleon to fight from, while we have only a brigantine, which looks morelike a ship's boat beside these Spanish monsters."
"That is as I have said," admitted the master. "If we continue we areface to face with an enemy determined to sink us, and one which cansail round and round us in a ring, pounding us with her cannon. Then,too, the night is bound to be fine, and her marksmen will make fine useof the moonlight."
"If we remain," said Roger, with a cunning smile. "But the moon does notcome up at the instant that the night falls. Last evening, when I was onthe watch, it did not rise till some four hours were passed."
; "Which is early, I take it," said the master. "To-night she will shinewithin some three hours of the dusk."
"Then we must make the most of those three hours, sir," exclaimed Roger,turning to the knight who commanded the brigantine. "Why should we notset this course, and keep it in full view of the Spaniard till the nightcomes? Then let us swing round, and, after sailing some leagues to leftor right, make up for the island of Cuba again?"
"But, surely, that would be madness," exclaimed Sir Thomas, steppingback and looking at his young lieutenant in astonishment, while hesecretly wondered whether he had not, after all, overrated Roger'sacuteness, and promoted him somewhat hastily and rashly. "Surely, mylad, that would be placing our heads in the very mouth of this Spanishlion. This island of Cuba is the stronghold of the lieutenants who actfor King Ferdinand of Spain, and we may be sure that they will protectit for his Catholic Majesty. Our coming to the island, our being nearit, indeed, would lead to a descent upon us in far greater force. Likelyenough we should be hemmed in and taken."
"If seen, sir," said Roger, quietly. "My opinion was given in view ofthe necessity which seems to exist for refitting. Look at the decks!Even our spars will require attention, while the carpenter tells youthat two of the Spanish shot struck between wind and water. Those rentshave been hastily repaired, and may withstand the strain of the waterfor a time. But if we were to meet with a storm as we proceed, our casewould certainly be worse than were we on the coast of Cuba, with Spanishships and enemies about us."
The argument was concise and clear, and Roger stood there, looking nowat the knight and then at the master, watching their troubled faces, andwondering what action they would take. Would they spurn the advice thussought from their newly promoted lieutenant,--from him who had comeforward with his plan of cutting the masts of the galleon at such acritical moment? Would they decide to take some opposite course thanthat recommended them by the lad who but a few hours before had been araw crossbow youth, unused to war, inexperienced in action, and whosesole recommendations were his height, his great strength, and hisvaluable knowledge of the Spanish language? To Roger it was a moment inhis life. He had given thought to this question of escape from theenemy; he saw that the brigantine was sadly crippled, that her crew werebadly hurt from the late action, and that refitting and rest wereessential to future success. More than that, like Sir Thomas, herealized that a second action with an enemy who were fresh, and with agalleon of even greater power, could end in but one way. The Englishmight beat off the Spaniards--might even, with superhuman gallantry,capture this following galleon; but their numbers would be againreduced, and probably very largely.
"Besides," he added, as if he had been speaking his thoughts aloud,"even if we do not make for the island, this vessel will follow duringthe following day, and she or other consorts will discover us. Were wein the best condition all would be well, but we are crippled. Our menare hurt, and, more than that, in the open sea the Spaniards can nearlycertainly laugh at us."
"The lad is right. He has seen farther than we have, and gives us soundand good advice," said Sir Thomas, slowly, his brow all furrowed, as onecould see through the opening in his helmet. "Then you advise that wemake for this island of Cuba? Come, Sir Giant, set that brain to workand aid us. We are not too proud to seek help and good counsel from eventhe youngest, providing he has proved his ability. Often have I seen thehumblest soldier do service in this manner when at the wars. And,besides, you have travelled. You have seen strange lands and people, andthere is nought like that to educate the mind. Some day, may be, youwill command an expedition like this, and look back upon this day whenyour courage and good sense were put to the test."
Roger blushed red to the roots of his hair. He drew himself to the fullof his height, looking proud and happy, for he had tried. While othersmerely looked to themselves, his was the mind which thought of thefuture, which tried to arrange for the welfare of the crew of thebrigantine. And for that reason, when Sir Thomas first turned to him,he was ready with his answer. It was, indeed, an honour to be taken soseriously, to feel that the action of the commander of this vesselrested with him, and that his was the brain which had thought out thecourse which should be taken. He awoke to the fact that the two standingwatching him were waiting for an answer, and thereat the colour againsurged to his cheeks.
"What next?" demanded Sir Thomas. "We bear up for the island----"
"And endeavour to give these Spaniards the slip as we change course,"said Roger. "Then we steer straight for Cuba, and, with the aid of themoon, come in touch with the land before those ashore can see us. Thenagain our course should be altered. Westward is our destination, and Iadvise that we sail along to the western extremity of the island. There,as the dawn comes, we will creep into some inlet, where we can refit,and where, from the hills about, we can set a watch on the country andthe sea."
"A plan which will fall in well with the state of the island," exclaimedthe knight, "for I have information that the western end has few, ifany, Spaniards; that the natives who are left on the land have driftedthither, and there defy their enemies. 'Tis said that these Spanish havebeen vastly cruel to these unhappy negroes, and that death has been busywith them. No wonder, then, if they fly to the farthest point, there tolive as easily as possible till the day when their masters come to huntthem down again, to take them to slave in the mines."
"And better still," added the master, "for this western end will besheltered. We shall have the land to keep off the prevailing wind, andtherefore shall be able to careen the brigantine without fear of anygale which may arise. I am with you, Sir Thomas, in thanking this tallyouth for his service to us. He may be the means of helping us out of atrying dilemma."
"Then it is agreed. To-night, as the darkness becomes intense, we roundon to the other course, to the west preferably. Then we steer for aleague or two before coming up into the straight run for the island. Allis plain. Get your preparations made accordingly, master. And now,master Roger, do you accompany me as my lieutenant. It shall bepublished to all how you have done service for us, and for what reasonyou have received promotion. Let us make a round and look to ourdamages."
They stepped to the ladder of the poop and clambered to the waist of theship, where the chief damage had been sustained. And here they saw thatthe shot of the galleon had done mischief which warranted a completerefitting; for one of the shot had torn the deck up for several feet,disclosing the cross beams, and leaving a gap through which masses ofwater could flow. Then the rail was gone in many places, while sailorswere even then busy at work with the carpenter endeavouring to stop therents between wind and water. A tiny seat had been secured to a rope,and on this one of the men had been lowered over the side. Roger peepedover at him, and found that he dangled with his feet in the water, andthat he was engaged in tarring the surface of a stout piece of canvaswhich he had just nailed over the opening left by the shot.
"The fellow is drenched to the skin, and no doubt has had to do aportion of the work by feeling under the water," said Sir Thomas. "But Ideem that this rent on the deck is of even greater importance. For wecan back those others from within, and that the carpenter is no doubtnow seeing to. But this other is too large for our planks, and canvaswould be useless, except in fine weather. Were it to blow we should haveseas aboard us here, and one huge one might easily swamp us. More thanever do I perceive that you have a shrewd and cunning mind; that you areone of the thinkers, who goes about the world and his business with hiswits alert, and not, as many do, half asleep and wandering. To Cuba wewill go, and there we will busy ourselves with refitting. Now let uscount our losses."
A few questions ascertained the fact that ten adventurers andmen-at-arms had been killed, and that some twenty others had beenwounded more or less seriously. As Roger and the commander crossed thedeck the sailors were at work cleansing them with water drawn by meansof throwing a wooden bucket overboard, to the handle of which a rope wasattached. Others had wet swabs in their hands, while, again, others weretossing the
dead into the sea, a rough and ready, but the only, methodof giving them burial.
A few hours later dusk began to fall, and those aboard the brigantinecast anxious eyes upon the galleon. The latter had closed inconsiderably. Indeed, the master had proved an excellent prophet, forjust as the light began to fail a flash spurted from the bows of theSpaniard, the report and the ball itself following afterwards. Themissile struck the sea once or twice, ricocheting beautifully; then itplumped into the water some three hundred yards astern of thebrigantine.
"By nightfall they will be pounding us," repeated the master, coming toRoger's side. "But we shall outwit them, I think. If not, there isnothing to hope for save victory in an attempt to carry her by theboard. Not again can we hope for that lucky shot which struck thesteersman and allowed us to come aboard the other galleon."
"Ay! I had forgotten. 'Twas a fine shot indeed," exclaimed Sir Thomas."And thereby this Roger de Luce showed that he could use his bow. Whoknows. It may happen that in the near future the same may be called togreater use, and that this Roger may have to bless his prowess for thepreservation of his life."
Who could say, indeed? Who can tell the future? But if the facts werelooked at quietly and carefully it was more than probable that Rogerwould have to make good use of his crossbow. And not he alone; for wouldnot every member of the crew of the brigantine have to fight for dearlife once the Spaniards were really encountered? Could this audaciousexpedition hope to reach the city depicted upon the plaque, and wrestits riches from the Spaniards without bloodshed and fighting? And,besides, what of the owners of this city, the lawful possessors of thetreasure?
Happily few, if any, gave a thought to the matter. The crew, from theirleader downward, had a fine assurance in themselves and in their goodfortune, and they put aside the danger, hoping for success in theirventure.
An hour later night had fallen, and the last of the enemy's guns hadthundered. Not a single shot had struck the brigantine, though a few hadcome dangerously near. There was a cheer from the men as the Spaniardsank out of sight, while all eyes followed the movements of the master.
"'Tis too light yet," he said quietly to Sir Thomas. "I can still seethe forward deck and the men on it. When they are gone, then shall theword be given. But let us send to make sure that there is no light inany part of the vessel."
Roger was despatched on this errand, and as he came back with his reportthat all was right the master was satisfied that the time had come.
"The men are at the braces," said the latter. "I have only to whistlesoftly and they will pass the signal. Besides, they will feel themovement as I put the tiller over. Now, sir, God grant that we aresuccessful."
He leaned his whole weight against the tiller, and caused the vessel toswerve. Steps, silent and almost unheard, passed across the deck as thebrigantine swung into her new course. The sails flapped once or twice.Then the wind caught them again, and in less than a minute she wasbowling along at right angles to her former course. It was a time ofsuspense. Men leaned against the bulwarks staring into the night, whilethe commander and the master tramped the poop, and hoped that theSpaniards would not see them. An hour passed in silence.
"Over with the helm and man the braces," whispered the master, and athis order the word was passed. Once again the vessel swayed, and swungto a new direction, and as the moon floated up into the clear sky thebrigantine was sailing alone, it seemed, through a silvery waste, herlook-out man watching for a sight of the island of Cuba.
"And you are a lieutenant, though you started merely as a crossbow manand as interpreter. Well, you deserve the honour and your good fortune.My father says that it was your action which threw us aboard that firstgalleon and saved us from further pounding from her guns, and yourforethought which prevented her following. And now the ship knows thatthis new move is the work of the interpreter. Truly, I envy you your newposition, but I give you the most hearty congratulations."
It was Philip who spoke, Philip, who had already made such a friend ofour hero. And the pale rays of the moon shining upon his handsome face,showed that he meant every word that he had said. They gripped handswith enthusiasm, and gripped again as the look-out man sang loudly thatCuba was in sight--Cuba, the stronghold of the Spaniards, the islandwhere the men of the brigantine were to meet with events of the utmostimportance.
Roger the Bold: A Tale of the Conquest of Mexico Page 3
