Free Untitled by Unknown Author Page A

admirably."

       "Do? And what is that blind, deaf, mute with one hand and three fingers going to do?" sneered Nani. "Be the figurehead for the ship? It's about all he's good for."

       "If he's willing and true, that is enough for me,"snapped Hartwell.

       "I guess she is also willing, though I would not put any money on her being true," said Fitch who was desperately trying not to grin.

       Hartwell turned to the harbour, knowing what he was going to see, though he still groaned at the sight of Ruby staggering toward them, a small bundle over her shoulder.

       "Wait for me," she cried, her hair still smouldering from the fire. "You burnt down my home, you bastards, so you're taking me with you."

       "I believe the ship is full," snapped Mechatronic.

       "I don't care if it's sinking," yelled Ruby, struggling to climb the gangplank. She fell to her hands and knees and wobbled along, her bosom heaving from side to side, almost spilling out of her dress in well-rehearsed movements. "And don't think I'm scared of you, you blue-eyed, silver devil!"
       "And what role do you think you can play on board?" asked Hartwell.

       "Old Ruby's been around a bit, she knows the score," panted Ruby as she laboured up the gangplank. She seemed to find it easier on the sloping greasy wood than she did on the firm ground. "Old Ruby can tie a knot and cook a broth and sing a song and make all the men smile and,
    and…"

       She stopped and snuffled, the words running out as she swayed from side to side on the gangplank. Large tears rose up from her red eyes and poured down her lined face. Great sobs heaved within her as she wailed "Old Ruby's been around and she knows the score, she's seen it all and done it all and had it all done to her, has old Ruby." She sniffed and wiped her nose on her dirty dress, oblivious to the embarrassed looks from the crew.

       Hartwell sighed. He was a ruthless man when need be, but he was not a cruel man. "Then get aboard and start earning your keep. The deck needs cleaning, as do all the cabins, and clothes need stitching and the sails need mending. You'll work while you're on board this ship."

       "Yes, Cuptain," slurred Ruby, staggering upright with a superhuman effort. She revolved around three times as she tried to orientate herself before tottering off toward the cabins, throwing a salute that missed her head by six inches.

       "Why?" demanded Mechatronic in displeasure.

       "We have indeed destroyed her home, so the least we can do is give her a new one," replied Hartwell, stiffly, not looking at Mechatronic.

       "And how long do you think she'll last?" asked the silver woman.

       "Not long, judging from her shaking and general health," replied Hartwell. "Hopefully, she can at least get her self-respect back in that time and face her death with a little dignity."

       Mechatronic blew air out between her teeth as though in irritation, but secretly, the quietly spoken man impressed her. He really did seem to have a sense of duty beyond mere words.

       "We are all part of God's plan," announced Pastor White.

       "You haven't explained what you are doing here," observed Sporrit of the pastor, suddenly realising that he hadn't seen him since fleeing the Plymouth. Observation and thought were not things that came naturally to Sporrit.

       "Captain Fleetwood had orders to leave me here," replied White with as much dignity as he could muster. "Admiral Johnson has abandoned God and God's representatives of this Earth."

       "Had enough of you, had he?" muttered Fitch. "Now there's a surprise."

       Hartwell turned away quickly to hide his smile. "Mister O'Rourke, what supplies did you manage to salvage?"

       "Not much, Captain. We have some lumber, a few biscuit barrels and some salt pork. Oh, and good news—we found some crates of absinthe." He pulled a bottle from the crate. The light from the oil lanterns gleamed off the