Free Scarface by Andre Norton Page A

ways.

    Seeing that there was no more to be gained from this stubborn ex-pirate, Firken spoke of the passing of time and that he had duties elsewhere. With a half-bow to the Major and a nod to Justin he marched off, his papers clasped to him.
    “Now,” the boy urged when the door had closed firmly behind Master Firken, “tell me how you came to Bridgetown when we all thought you dead and under the sea.”
    Cocklyn crossed his legs and settled himself more comfortably. “It was easy enough. The shot from that rogue's pistol would have parted my wig—had I worn the pestilent thing—and the breeze of it, as it were, fanned me into the sea. Then there was naught for a prudent man, like myself, to do but keep swimming. And, by God's own grace, I reached the island. Thereafter it was easy enough to knock up the nearest planter and borrow a horse to ride hither with my news. So did we then contrive an amusing play of our own to keep Cheap happy until he would walk into our trap. Having bottled up Creagh and his rogues inland, we stormed Bridgetown and fired an old warehouse to give color to the scene—so drawing Cheap ashore. Faith, Drury Lane's boards never saw a sprightlier comedy than the one we played that morning. So are we to the gain of one ship and divers foul fellows. And Sir Robert will be pleased at that.
    “Nor shall I be backward in the telling of it to His Excellency, for of late our worthy governor has begun to believe that no one else can hunt pirates so well as he. So this success will be for the good of his soul—since he had no part in it. Ah, Kandy—tobacco, you rascal!”

    The little slave scurried from the room obediently.
    “Now we needs must turn to another problem, the future of one Justin Blade. As you have taken the Queen's pardon your old trade is closed to you.”
    “I am no planter,” Justin broke in hurriedly, hoping to stave off such a fate had Cocklyn marked him for it. “I know not weed from cane. A ship's my only trade. Mayhap I can get me a berth with some island trader.”
    “Which is no more or less than I have in mind. And I know the very master for you—Sir Robert! He has some five sloops and brigs at sea under his flag and good men who know the islands are fewer than you might think.”
    “But with his hate for those from Tortuga—would he welcome me? You have all made so much of his harshness towards the Brethren that even the Queen's Pardon to flap before his eyes would seem small protection—”
    “True, he hates all that smacks of the Black Flag right enough. But he has now among his men many of the Brethren, followers of his own in the days when he was ‘from the sea'—as I believe you rogues announce yourselves when you are hailed. So one more will make little difference. Then too you have that about you which will commend you to His Excellency—he has a liking for youngsters in misfortune—seeing as how he was just such a one. No, I think he will strive to find a berth for you. And until that day you shall stay here at your pleasure.”
    Cocklyn stayed a while longer talking of Bridgetown and the life-within its white-walled, tiled-roof houses, but he was at last interrupted by the sound of wheels on the cobbles close by. And then a high-pitched voice, whosewhine penetrated even the thick walls, brought a frown to the Major's good-humored face. He jumped up from his chair with a hastiness which might have sent it spinning against the bed had he not checked it with his hand in passing, for he was already striding for the door which he slammed with some force behind him. Justin was left to wonder just what sort of a whirlwind had struck the house.
    For a whirlwind it was. He caught snatches of sound, the footsteps of people in a hurry, the clatter of horses’ hooves outside his window, the raucous scream of a bird, and once a queer noise which might have been someone laughing or weeping. It could only be, Justin decided, that Sir Robert was at last in port. But