Chapter X: Aboard the San Josef

FOR a long while I lay motionless, too much overwhelmed with the horror of my position even to think. The darkness was so intense that it actually seemed to have weight. It pressed, as it were, upon my eyes as I strove to discern my surroundings.

To add to my discomfort, the peculiar motion of my prison, totally different to the heave of the deck that I was so accustomed to, told upon me. The jerky swaying caused my manacles to chafe my wrists and ankles, while the chains rattled dismally with every roll of the ship.

Not so very far beneath the rough flooring the noxious bilge-water surged incessantly, while through a seam in the stout planking a thin stream of water trickled, to join the confined liquid in the hold. Ever and anon came the thud of a wave as the galleon lifted her bluff bows to the billow, while the timbers groaned and creaked complainingly at the tremendous hammering of the angry sea.

At length I bestirred myself, and began to grope as far as my fetters would allow. The men had left me half lying, half sitting, upon a massive timber or rib, to which my chains were fixed. This rib was about eight inches in width and the same in thickness, curving abruptly in an upright direction just beyond the part on which I lay. By placing my hand downwards I could touch the moist and slimy planking, betwixt which and the floor was a gap of nearly a palm's breadth, through which every abnormal heave of the ship caused the bilge-water to sluice upwards and over the floor.

Still groping, I found my hands come in contact with the after-bulkhead. 'Twas so solid that by knocking upon it only a very slight sound was produced. The other bulkhead was equally thick, while my scope of chain was insufficient for me to try the door.

Then I tried my fetters. They fitted so closely that there was certainly no possibility of being able to slip them off, while, being without a file, I could not sever the links. Otherwise I believe I would have freed myself, waited till the door was unbarred, made a dash on deck, and thrown myself into the sea.

But calmer counsels prevailed. I resolved to bear my troubles manfully, but to let slip no opportunity whereby I could effect my escape.

Presently I began to get hungry, and, remembering that the soldiers had placed bread and water on the floor close to the timbers on which I was sitting, I felt cautiously till my fingers came in contact with the bread.

Instead of the hard crust the bread was soft and clammy. The bilge-water had spoilt it utterly. Even as I grasped the food I felt something glide over my hand. It required no one to tell me that the intruder was a rat.

Quickly withdrawing my hand, my elbow struck the pannikin, and ere I could prevent it the whole of the water was spilt with the exception of, perhaps, half a gill. This I drank, so as to make sure of it, and my thirst being somewhat assuaged, I felt better. Ever and again I would shake my fetters violently for the purpose of scaring off the rats, for, attracted by the ryebread, others had joined the first, and were scampering all over the place.

As the time slowly sped the rats grew bolder, and even the most violent rattling failed to keep them off. They even jumped over me, and more than once I was badly bitten by their sharp teeth, till I began to be afraid that ere long my strength would give out, and, from sheer exhaustion, I would fall a prey to the loathsome creatures.

Suddenly there was a cessation to the rats' attentions, and I was left alone. Then it was that I became aware that the wind and sea were increasing, for the galleon heeled and floundered till I was well-nigh thrown from my precarious perch. Moreover, the bilge-water began to increase in volume, and although for some time I comforted myself with the thought that 'twas owing to the increased list of the ship, I was at length bound to come to the conclusion that the galleon was leaking badly and the water was slowly and surely gaining.

Above the now frequent buffeting of the waves against the planking I could distinguish the clank of the pumps and the subdued sounds of the men rushing hither and thither on deck.

More and more sluggish became the motion of the _San Josef_, till in my feverish brain I imagined that the huge vessel was already plunging to her ocean grave. Then she heeled till the floor seemed nearly vertical, and the bilge-water surged and frothed furiously through the aperture betwixt the planking and the stringers.

'Twas then that I gave myself up for lost, yet the sense of self-preservation was not lacking. I tore at my chains till the leg-irons cut into my ankles and the manacles lacerated my wrists; yet I felt no pain, though my injuries were severe. My body was numbed, but my anguished mind was fully alive to the gravity of my condition.

It seemed hours ere the galleon recovered her normal heel, and even then, in the darkness, I felt none too sure of it. But in a measure I was reassured. The _San Josef_ still remained afloat.

Still, the disquieting knowledge came home to me that the vessel was leaking badly. Already, during the intervals of the galleon's recovery, the water lay a foot deep over the floor of my prison, while, as she heeled to the blast, the depth increased till, sitting upright on the rib, I was submerged up to my waist.

Then it was that I raved and shouted, but in vain. Even had my captors been inclined to show pity, the roar of the elements and the thick walls of my prison effectually deadened every sound. Presently, numbed with the cold and terrified into a state bordering on madness, I fell into a kind of stupor.

Of how long I continued thus I have not the faintest recollection, but after awhile I was compelled to stand as upright as the height of the deck beams would permit to prevent the water washing over my face. Bracing myself as firmly as possible, I strove to keep my feet, the strain upon my manacles serving to steady me, save when a heavy roll threatened to pitch me into the deepest part of the accumulated bilge-water.

Hope seemed dead, for I felt that I would be unable to withstand the strain for long. Already I imagined myself sliding inertly into the water that was fast filling my pitch-dark prison.

Soon the sickening list to starboard gave place to a succession of short, steep pitches, while the _San Josef_ seemed to be sailing more upon an even keel. She had, without doubt, altered her course, and was running over shallow water before a heavy sea.

Then, without warning, came a dull, grinding crash, and I was thrown violently sideways till brought up by my fetters. With the shock the bilge-water surged forward with such irresistible force that some of the oaken planks of my prison were wrenched from their fastenings. Like a foaming torrent the flood continued till, standing with my head and shoulders 'gainst the deck overhead, it reached above my chin.

Almost as suddenly the water subsided, the motion of the vessel became comparatively easy, and I heard the hempen hawser rush through the hawsepipe.

The _San Josef_ had gained a harbour of refuge and had anchored in sheltered waters. This knowledge, even though it might be but a brief respite to my miseries, was comforting, and, overcome by the sudden change, I fell senseless across the oaken timber to which I was fettered.

When I opened my eyes I was at first unable to think where I was or what had happened. After a while I found myself lying on the quarter-deck with my head supported by a coil of rope. My doublet had been opened, and my chest and forehead had been sprinkled with vinegar.

The sun was shining brightly in a cloudless sky; the galleon had taken in her canvas and now rode head to wind. Lying on my back I could see the truck of her tapering main t'gallant describing a swinging motion across the sky as the ship rolled slightly to the ground-swell within the harbour.

Then my upward vision was interrupted by a man bending over me, and in an instant I recognised Don Iago d'Alvarez. There was a strange, almost indescribable, look in his eyes. 'Twas as if he feigned compassion, though he meant it not. Behind the mask of kindness lurked implacable cruelty; avarice prompted him to adopt the guise of benevolence.

For a few moments he stood regarding me, then, speaking to some of the seamen, he indicated a part of the deck where the mainmast threw a deep shadow athwart the glistening snow-white planks.

Thither I was taken, and a tankard of wine poured down my throat, while a chirurgeon placed some bandages round my chafed and bleeding wrists and ankles. These attentions eased both my body and mind, and, greatly comforted, I lay still, watching the seamen attend to their duties.

My field of vision was restricted to a portion of the quarter-deck, the poop, and the main and mizzen masts. The tall bulwarks hid the view of the land, so that I could not see what manner of place it was. 'Twas certain that the harbour was nearly landlocked, for though the breeze whistled through the rigging aloft, the huge galleon hardly responded to the combined pressure of the wind and the ground-swell.

Evidently the _San Josef_ had been sorely damaged in the gale. The men were handing down the maintopsail, which was rent from the gore-cloth to one of the clews. The running gear had suffered considerably, while a portion of the larboard bulwarks had been swept away. This had caused some of the ordnance to break loose, for there were two falcons and a long brass saker lying overturned 'gainst the starboard poop-ladder. The pumps, too, were working incessantly, showing that the leaks had jeopardised the galleon.

Then my thoughts turned towards the _Damsel of Lyme_. I wondered whether she had been safely towed into port, or whether, in the height of the gale, her captors had been compelled to cast her adrift. Once or twice I attempted to struggle to my feet and look over the bulwarks to see if the pinnace had also gained the harbour, but the effort was beyond me. Each time the chirurgeon hastened to my side, giving me far more attention than a prisoner, and a pirate to boot, ought to expect.

This puzzled me greatly. The sudden change from mental and bodily torture to careful consideration seemed so unreal that my misgivings increased.

Presently four seamen approached, and, lifting me in their arms, carried me to the gangway. Here a shore boat was lying alongside, and into it I was placed. Without delay the boat pushed off and rowed rapidly towards the shore.

Now I could see about me. On all sides save the harbour entrance the land rose abruptly from the waters of the harbour. Ahead clustered the houses of a town of considerable size, the place being strongly walled and protected with several forts. Two castles also guarded the mouth of the harbour. Several vessels of all sizes were lying at anchor, and I looked in vain for the graceful outlines of the _Damsel of Lyme_.

Smartly the boat was run alongside a stone quay fronting the water-gate. The latter was so narrow that scarcely three men could enter abreast, while a horseman would have to stoop to pass under the pointed arch. Above the gateway was a coat-of-arms carved in the white stone, while yet higher were three rows of narrow slits for musketeers and bowmen.

Awaiting us on the quay was the captain of the guard and a file of pikemen, all accoutred with breast and back pieces, steel morions, long swords, and, in the case of the men, pikes nearly twenty feet in length. The officer had, in addition to a long glistening rapier of exquisite steel, a dagger slung at his right hip from a richly embroidered belt.

The boat was immediately challenged, but, on the coxswain producing a letter, the guard fell back and allowed us to pass. I could not repress a shudder as I was led beneath the frowning battlements. But, to my surprise, it was not a prison or a castle to which my guards brought me. We passed along a steep, narrow street, flanked by low stone houses, either flat topped or roofed with brown-red tiles. The absence of timber in the walls gave the town a totally different aspect to the houses at home, while the white stonework almost dazzled me.

Well-nigh choked with the dust that whirled in dense clouds through the streets, the sailors held on their way, surrounded by a throng of townsfolk--men, women, and children--all eager to see the English lad who had been taken by the great galleon. Here and there stalwart soldiers, bronzed with campaigning in New Spain, would pass some jesting remark to my guards, who would as readily reply, and raise a peal of merriment from the onlookers. What they said I knew not, though by their gestures 'twas evident that I figured as the object of their jests.

Since I was still in charge of the seamen and had not been handed over to the military guard, I began to think that, after all, my destination was not to be the gloomy dungeons of the castle. In a way I was right, for after traversing the crowded market-square and another long street, my captors halted before a large stone villa, standing in extensive grounds enclosed by high stone walls.

The gate was opened by an old manservant wearing a livery of black velvet, and, led by him, we passed through an orange grove to the house.

Here I was placed in a small room, evidently a kind of study, for quaint maps hung on the walls, a huge globe stood in one corner, while several leather-bound books were ranged on shelves. On the table were drawing instruments, an astrolabe, and a mariner's compass.

Without a word or a sign my captors left me, locking the door as they did so.

Left to myself, I made a tour of the room to see if there was any possibility of escape.

There were three windows to the room, each filled with stained glass. The first opened without difficulty, but I found that 'twas placed in a deep recess, the walls being quite two feet in thickness, while at the other end a strong iron grille prevented any egress by this way.

It was the same with the other windows. Nothing but a strong file would have enabled me to break out of my place of detention.

Nevertheless, I had an uninterrupted view on three different sides. The room was apparently one of the lower storeys of a tower forming an angle of the house. To the eastward I could see over a thick forest of olives to a range of blue hills that stood out clearly 'gainst a cloudless sky. Southward lay a portion of the town, a maze of red and white stonework, while westward another part of the town sloped steeply towards the harbour. Far beyond the castle-guarded entrance I could see the horizon, dotted with the sails of a large fleet.

Then I turned my attention to the maps, thinking they might give me some idea of the surrounding country. Most of them were Spanish, and unintelligible to me, both as to locality and the names written thereon; but presently I found a chart of Southampton Water, drawn by one Duns Vincent at the sign of the Antelope at Cheapside. Across it were several notes written in Spanish, while, to my surprise, I read in the bottom left-hand corner the words, "Ric: Roy, his Mappe. A.D. 1552."

It was my father's chart. How, then, could it have been brought hither?

Beneath it were others of English draughtsmanship, mostly at various portions of the Channel, the approaches to the Thames, and the Essex coast. On every one were marginal notes in Spanish, with unintelligible markings at various points.

Then I turned my attention to the table. Thinking some of the instruments might serve me to some useful purpose at no distant date, I selected a long steel pair of compasses with two fine points. These I was about to conceal in my hose when a voice exclaimed:

"That will not serve, rascal!"

Turning suddenly, I found myself confronted by Don Iago d'Alvarez.