“How, exactly?”
“Disguised as that sepoy. By Jupiter! What a handsome soldier I’ll make.”
“So you’re going to wear the sepoy’s uniform and pretend to come from Victoria... and?”
“I’ll advise his lordship to leave and lead him right into the trap you’re going to set for him here.”
“Ah, Yanez!” exclaimed Sandokan, embracing his friend.
“Careful, careful, little brother. Squeeze me any harder and you’ll break one of my arms.”
“I’ll owe you the world if you succeed. You’ll be running a great risk.”
“Bah! I’ll get out of it with honour and without coming to any harm.”
“But why the ink?”
“To write a letter to his lordship.”
“I’d advise against it, Yanez. He’s a suspicious man; if he notices that the writing doesn’t match the baron’s, he could have you shot.”
“You’re right, Sandokan. It’d be better just to tell him. Now, have them undress the sepoy.”
At a sign from Sandokan, two pirates untied the soldier and relieved him of his uniform. The poor man thought his time had come.
“Are you going to kill me?” he asked Sandokan.
“No,” the pirate replied. “Your death would not serve me in any way; I’ll spare your life, but you’ll remain a prisoner aboard my prahu for as long as we remain on this island.”
“Thank you, sir.”
In the meantime, Yanez had gotten dressed. The uniform was a little tight, but it would easily serve its purpose.
“Look, little brother, don’t I make a handsome soldier?” he asked, strapping on his sword. “Even I didn’t think I’d look this good.”
“Yes, you truly are a handsome sepoy,” laughed Sandokan. “Any last instructions?”
“Summon the remainder of our men and stay hidden along this path,” said the Portuguese. “I’ll visit his lordship, tell him your troops were attacked and scattered, but that other prahus have been spotted advancing towards Labuan. I’ll convince him to take advantage of this favourable moment and seek refuge in Victoria.”
“Perfect!”
“When we pass, you’ll attack the convoy. I’ll grab Marianna and take her to the prahu. Are we agreed?”
“Yes. Go, my brave friend, tell Marianna I love her and to have faith in me. Go, and may God protect you.”
“Goodbye, little brother,” replied Yanez, embracing his friend one last time.
He mounted the sepoy’s horse, grabbed the reigns, unsheathed his sword and rode off, whistling an old tune.
Chapter 23
Yanez at the Villa
THE MISSION WAS without doubt one of the riskiest and most audacious the intrepid Portuguese had ever undertaken. Just one wrong word, one suspicion, and his lordship would not have hesitated to hang him from the tallest tree. Nevertheless, the pirate calmly and courageously prepared to play his dangerous card, having faith in his cool-headedness and that lucky star of his that never seemed to tire of protecting him. Sitting proudly in the saddle, he curled his moustache, tilted his hat and spurred his horse into a full gallop. Riding furiously, within two hours he arrived at the wall surrounding Lord James’ estate.
“Who goes there?” asked a soldier, emerging from behind one of the trees near the gate.
“Lower your rifle, young man. I’m not a tiger, nor am I a babirusa,” said the Portuguese, reigning in his horse. “By Jupiter! Do you not see the uniform? Do you need a closer look at these stripes, private?”
“Pardon me, sir, but my orders are to question everyone who enters. Who sent you and what is the nature of your business?”
“Very well! I’m delivering a message to his lordship on behalf of Baron William Rosenthal.”
“Thank you, sir, you may enter!”
The soldier opened the gate, called to a few colleagues to inform them of the new arrival, then stepped to one side.
“So many precautions,” mumbled the Portuguese as he rode his horse forward. “They’re more afraid of us than I thought.”
He came to a halt before a wall and jumped to the ground between six soldiers. They immediately surrounded him, rifles at the ready.
“Where’s his lordship?” he asked.
“In his study,” replied the sergeant in command.
“Take me to him. It’s urgent.”
“You’ve come from Victoria?”
“Precisely.”
“How did you get past the pirates of Mompracem?”
“I didn’t see any, Sergeant. Those thieving dogs have more important things to do than buzz about here. Now take me to his lordship.”
“Come.”
The Portuguese followed the sergeant, bracing himself for the next phase of his plan.
“Wait here,” said the sergeant, after having led him to the drawing room.
Left alone, Yanez carefully studied the room to determine if a surprise attack were possible but quickly realized any such attempt would be futile; the windows were too high off the ground and the walls and doors too sturdy.
“It doesn’t matter,” he murmured. “We’ll get them in the forest.”
The sergeant re-entered the room.
“His lordship will see you now,” he said, indicating an open door.
The Portuguese shivered and turned slightly pale.
“Caution above all, Yanez, my boy,” he murmured.
He entered, saluted, and found himself in a beautiful study furnished with great elegance. In a corner, sitting behind a desk, was his lordship, dressed in white, his face dark and scowling.
He looked up at Yanez in silence, fixing his eyes upon him as if to probe his thoughts then said dryly, “So, you’ve just come from Victoria?”
“Yes, Milord,” Yanez replied firmly.
“On the baron’s behalf?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did he give you a letter for me?”
“No, sir.”
“A message?”
“Yes, Milord.”
“Speak then.”
“He sent me to tell you that the Tiger of Malaysia has been surrounded by our troops in a bay south of here.”
His lordship sprang to his feet.
“The Tiger’s surrounded!” he exclaimed.
“Yes, it appears it’s finally over for that devil; there’s no way he can escape.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very sure, Milord.”
“I don’t think we’ve met before. You are?”
“Sergeant Nicholas Rosenthal, one of the baron’s cousins, sir,” Yanez replied daringly.
“How long have you been in Labuan?”
“Fifteen days, sir.”
“Then you know that my niece—”
“Is engaged to my cousin William,” smiled Yanez.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Sergeant,” said his lordship, vigorously shaking Yanez’ hand. “Tell me, when was Sandokan attacked?”
“This morning at dawn, while crossing the forest at the head of a large band of pirates.”
“That man is a demon. Last night he was here. Is it possible he’s travelled over so much terrain in only seven or eight hours?”
“He had some horses with him.”
“Oh, that explains it. Where’s my good friend, William?”
“At the head of our troops.”
“Of course, where else would he be. And you were with him?”
“Yes, Milord.”
“How far away are the pirates?”
“Ten miles or so, sir.”
“He didn’t give you any other instructions?”
“He told me to ask you to leave the villa and take your niece to Victoria without delay.”
“Why?”
“Milord, you know the type of man the Tiger of Malaysia is. He has eighty men with him, eighty Tigers, and tough the odds are against him, there’s still a small chance he could defeat our troops, cross the forest and attack the villa.”
<
br /> His lordship fell silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on Yanez as he mulled over what he had just heard.
“A likely possibility,” he muttered at last. “We’d be safer in the fort. Dear William is right. We best take advantage of this opportunity and set off for Victoria. Ah, my dear niece, I’ll destroy the passion you have for that scoundrel! You will obey me, and you will marry the man I have selected for you, even if I have to break you like a reed.”
Yanez’ hand ran instinctively to the hilt of his sword, but he held himself back, well aware the old man’s death would not have served any purpose, given the considerable number of soldiers guarding the villa.
“Milord,” he said instead, “Would you permit me to visit my future cousin?”
“You have a message to relay on William’s behalf?”
“Yes, Milord.”
“You won’t get a warm reception.”
“It matters not, Milord,” smiled Yanez, “I’ll give her William’s message then return here.”
The old captain pressed a button. A servant immediately entered.
“Take this man to see Lady Marianna,” said his lordship.
“Thank you,” replied Yanez.
“Once you’ve spoken to her come back to my study. We’ll dine together.”
Yanez bowed and followed the servant to a parlour. The walls were papered in a light blue silk brocade; numerous plants gave the room the appearance of a hothouse and filled the air with a delightful fragrance. The Portuguese waited for the servant to leave then slowly walked past the large vases filled with flowers and greenery and at last spied a figure dressed in white.
Despite being prepared for any shock, he could not contain a cry of admiration. Marianna was lying on a silk ottoman; her beautiful hair fell to her shoulders in a shower of gold. Her head resting against a hand, she appeared melancholy as she nervously plucked the flowers by her side.
She was pale, sullen, and her blue eyes, ordinarily so calm, hinted at her anger. Spying Yanez approach, she shook her head, put a hand to her forehead as if waking from a dream, and fixed an inquiring gaze upon him.
“Who are you?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “Who gave you permission to enter this room?”
“His lordship, Milady,” replied Yanez, his eyes fixed upon that woman he found to be even more beautiful than Sandokan had described.
“What do you want?”
“First, a question, Milady,” said Yanez, looking about to ensure they were alone.
“Ask away.”
“Do you think anyone can hear us?”
She frowned, gazed at him as if to read his thoughts, then guessing the reason behind that question, replied, “We are alone.”
“Well, Milady, I’ve come from far away…”
“From?”
“Mompracem.”
Marianna jumped to her feet, her pallor disappearing as if by magic.
“From Mompracem!” she exclaimed, blushing. “You… A white man… an Englishman!”
“You’re mistaken, Lady Marianna; I’m not English, my name is Yanez…”
“Yanez! The friend! Sandokan’s blood brother! What courage to enter this villa, sir! Tell me, where is Sandokan? What’s he doing? Is he safe? Has he been injured? Tell me about him, don’t make me suffer.”
“Lower your voice, Milady; the walls may have ears.”
“Tell me about him, my brave friend. Tell me about Sandokan.”
“He’s hiding nearby on the path to Victoria, ready to rescue you.”
“Ah, dear Lord, how I thank you for having protected him!” exclaimed the young lady, her eyes welling with tears.
“Listen, Milady.”
“Tell me everything, my brave friend.”
“I came here to convince his lordship to leave the villa and take refuge in Victoria.”
“Victoria? But once there, how will you kidnap me?”
“Sandokan won’t wait that long, Milady,” smiled Yanez. “He’s lying in wait with his men; he’ll attack the convoy once you’ve left the villa.”
“What about my uncle?”
“We’ll spare him, I assure you.”
“And you’ll kidnap me?”
“Yes, Milady.”
“And where will Sandokan take me?”
“To his island.”
Marianna lowered her head and fell silent.
“Milady,” said Yanez, his tone now serious, “Do not be frightened, Sandokan knows how to please the woman he loves. He was a vicious man, cruel even, but love has changed him. I swear you’ll never regret becoming the Tiger of Malaysia’s wife.”
“I believe you,” replied Marianna. “He’s slain hundreds in his quest for vengeance and bathed these waters in blood, but what does the past matter when all is said? He loves me; he’ll do anything I ask of him, and he’ll become another man. I’ll leave my island; he’ll leave his Mompracem and we’ll travel far from these waters, so far we’ll never hear speak of them again.
“In a corner of the world, forgotten by all, we’ll happily live out our days, and no one will ever suspect that the Pearl of Labuan’s husband is the former Tiger of Malaysia, the man who made entire kingdoms tremble and spilled so much blood. Yes, I’ll be his bride and I’ll love him forever.”
“Ah, Milady!” exclaimed Yanez, falling to his knees. “Tell me what I can do to free you and take you to Sandokan, my best friend, a man I love like a brother.”
“You’ve done too much, just by coming here. I’ll be grateful to you for as long as I live.”
“We must convince his lordship to depart for Victoria as soon as possible, so Sandokan can put his plan into action.”
“My uncle has become extremely suspicious. If I were to suggest it, he’d fear some kind of trick and would not set foot outside the garden walls.”
“He’s already approved the idea, Milady. Amazing what a message from the baron can accomplish. All we need do now is determine when. I’ll try to persuade him that the sooner we depart the better.”
“Take care, sir! He’s a suspicious man and may smell a trap. You may not look like a pirate, that’s true, but he may know that Sandokan has a European friend.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“Is his lordship waiting for you?”
“Yes, Milady, he invited me to dinner.”
“You should go then, so he doesn’t become suspicious.”
“Will you be joining us?”
“Yes, we’ll see each other later.”
“Goodbye, Milady,” said Yanez, kissing her hand gallantly.
“Go, my noble friend. I’ll never forget this.”
The Portuguese left in a state of near intoxication, dazzled by the sight of that divine young woman.
“By Jupiter!” he exclaimed, heading towards his lordship’s study, “I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman. I think I’m beginning to envy that rascal Sandokan.”
His lordship was waiting for him, pacing back and forth, his arms crossed tightly, a heavy frown upon his brow.
“Well, young man, what kind of reception did my niece give you?”
“It appears she doesn’t like to hear talk of my cousin William,” replied Yanez. “She almost chased me from the room.”
His lordship shook his head as the lines on his forehead grew deeper.
“It’s always like this! Always!” he muttered angrily.
He fell silent and resumed his pacing, eyes glaring, fingers twitching nervously. Yanez did not move; his eyes fixed on the old man.
“What do you think I should do?” he asked suddenly, stopping before the Portuguese.
“As William recommends, Milord; it would be best to depart for Victoria and take shelter in the fort.”
“Do you think my niece could love William one day?” he asked.
“In time perhaps, Milord, but not while the Tiger of Malaysia is still alive,” replied Yanez.
“Then he must die. You said he’d been surrounded by William and
his men.”
“Yes, sir, with almost no hope of escaping. I’d advise you leave immediately, while our men press their advantage.”
“Now that he has him, William won’t let him out of his sight. He’ll either kill Sandokan or be killed by him. I know that young man well. He’s as brave as they come.”
He fell silent once again, went to the window and fixed his eyes upon the setting sun. He watched it for a few minutes, then turned to Yanez and said, “What if Sandokan has prepared a trap of some kind? I’ve been told there’s a European with him named Yanez, a cunning man, equally as dangerous as the Tiger of Malaysia.”
Thanks for the compliment, thought Yanez, making a supreme effort to keep from laughing. Then looking at his lordship, he said, “You have more than enough guards to ward off an attack.”
“I did, but no longer. I had to dispatch several men to the Governor of Victoria; he needed them urgently. You know the garrison isn’t very large.”
“That’s true, Milord.”
The old captain began to pace nervously. He appeared perplexed, perhaps troubled by grave thoughts. After a few minutes of reflection he stopped suddenly, approached Yanez and asked, “You said you didn’t see anyone on the way here?”
“Not a soul, Milord.”
“You didn’t see anything suspicious?”
“No, Milord.”
“Then we could set off immediately?”
“I think so.”
“Yet I still have doubts.”
“Doubts, Milord?”
“Not all the pirates may have left.”
“Milord, do not be afraid of those wretches. Would you like me to scout the area?”
“I’d be grateful. Shall I assign some men to accompany you?”
“No, Milord, I’d prefer to go alone. One man can enter the jungle without attracting the attention of the enemy, whereas several men would find it hard to sneak past a vigilant lookout.”
“You’re right, young man. When are you going to leave?”
“Right away. I can cover a lot of ground in a few hours.”
“The sun has almost set.”
“All the better, Milord.”
“You’re not afraid?”
“When I’m armed, I fear no one.”
“Fine stock, these Rosenthals,” murmured his lordship. “Go, my friend. I’ll expect you for dinner.”
“Ah, Milord! You’d dine with a mere sergeant!?!”
Sandokan: The Tigers of Mompracem (The Sandokan Series Book 1) Page 19
