Free Voyage of Slaves by Brian Jacques Page B

us.”
    Ned’s indignant thoughts cut across Ben’s mind. “Huh, does nobody care about my wishes? I don’t know about you, but I rather fancy being an entertainer. The applause, the admiration, the fame. . . .”
    Ben replied to his friend’s thoughts. “I wouldn’t take up singing if I were you, mate, you’ve got a dreadful voice.”
    The Labrador sniffed disdainfully. “Hah, speak for yourself, m’boy, your voice sounds like the creaking of a rusty gate. Wait, I’ve got an idea!”
    Ben became aware of Serafina encouraging him. “I think you and Ned could work up a great act, Ben. Come on, give it a try, please!”
    Ben glanced at the troupe’s expectant faces. “Well, alright,leave us to practice a bit first. Ned and I will try out a few ideas behind the stables.”
     
From the window of the upstairs room, Al Misurata and his two associates had been watching the group on the wagon steps. Ghigno nodded toward Serafina.
    “That pretty girl is worth her weight in gold. She has a voice that would put the birds of paradise to shame.”
    The pirate nodded agreement. “As long as Count Dreskar meets my price. Then he can lock that beautiful songbird in a gilded cage where she will sing only for him. We must treat her with extra-special care.”
    Bomba snorted. “Slaves are all alike, master, give them cosseting and wrap them in silk if you want trouble. Special treatment makes slaves insolent and moody.” The big man knew he had spoken unthinkingly when Al Misurata’s withering glance fell on him.
    “Your mother bore your father a fool, jackass! The girl does not yet know she is to be a slave. If she knew she was going to be sold off, she would grow troublesome and sullen. I have seen it happen before. Once Dreskar has paid for her, it is his own affair how he treats her. But I get the top price for slaves by selling my goods in perfect condition. Then there can be no dispute about their quality. We will keep her, and all of them, blissfully ignorant.”
    Ghigno chuckled, looking pointedly at Bomba. “Just like him, eh?”
    The pirate shook his head. “Blissful ignorance is a condition even sensible people can feel. But Bomba is stupid, he was born a fool. Right?”
    The big man shuffled uncomfortably, muttering, “It is as you say, master.”
     
It was mid-noon. La Lindi sat watching the stables as she anointed her python’s scales with a mixture of sweet oil and warm water. “How long is that boy going to take?”
    Mummo spotted Ben and Ned emerging from the rear of the stables. “Here they come now!”
    The pair paced up with majestic slowness. Ben bowed to the company, and announced in a theatrical tone, “Eminent people, exalted guests, pray give attention to Benno, Master of Mystery, and the Magnificent Neddo!”
    The good-natured group applauded encouragingly.
    Ben appealed to them. “Would some kind person like to step forward and blindfold me?”
    Folding her silken neckscarf several times, Mamma obliged, binding it firmly across Ben’s eyes.
    Mummo held up his hand, calling out, “How many fingers am I holding up, O Mysterious Benno?”
    Ben smiled. “Fifteen, my good fellow, and I noticed your hands never once left your wrists while you did it.” The audience chuckled as Ben waved his arms for silence. “Silence, please, my assistant and I do this at great risk to our health. And now, the Magnificent Neddo is going to visit you in turn. Give him any little piece of your property, a trinket, a keepsake, a priceless jewel. Anything . . . and I will attempt, whilst blindfolded, to identify it. Magnificent Neddo, you may proceed!”
    Ben heard Otto whispering. “Hoho, this I must see, ja ?”
    Then he heard Serafina’s soft tones. “Please, Otto, silence, give Ben a chance!”
    Ned went immediately to Otto. The German strongman placed in the dog’s jaws an object. The dog communicated what it was to Ben as he trotted back and dropped it on the ground behind the boy.
    Ben placed his