Free Uncharted Seas by Dennis Wheatley Page B

Unity forbade him alcohol, fearing he might have delayed concussion. The rest of them were as fit as could be expected; the nights were warm so there was no question of reserving it to revive sufferers chilled by exposure, and as they had only sufficient water to last them another twenty-four hours it was quite unreasonable to assume that a number of cases would call for special treatment in that time. Once the water had given out the rum would be of little use anyway as it would not quench thirst taken neat, but if used now, Basil argued to himself, it would strengthen and fortify them.
    Luvia’s reason for refusing it was the perfectly sound one that if he let Basil have a tot he could not refuse to let the others do the same, and he feared the effect that strong spirits might have on Harlem and his companions when taken on almost empty stomachs.
    Basil was too preoccupied with his longing to think of that. He could not get the rum jar out of his mind and, as the afternoon wore on, he gradually formed a resolution to circumvent Luvia’s ban, however irate the Finn might prove afterwards.
    His plan was a simple one. The rum was in the after locker, now forming the rear portion of the girl’s quarters. He would wait until Luvia went to the small shelter at the forward end of the boat, as they all did from time to time, push the girls out of the way and snatch the coveted jar before anyone could stop him.
    Once he had made up his mind to this flagrant breach of discipline he began to watch Luvia cautiously, but over an hour and a half crawled by, every moment of which held added torture now that he could almost feel by anticipation the glow of the reviving spirit in his chest.
    At last the Finn handed over the tiller to Jansen and began toclamber over the thwarts towards the bow. The half-caste sailor, Gietto Nudäa, and Harlem Joe were on duty amidships at the sail, but intent on his raid Basil never gave them a thought. He waited until Luvia was out of sight forward of the mast then thrust his head into the girl’s shelter.
    ‘How’s old De Brissac getting on?’ he asked briskly.
    ‘Hush!’ Unity exclaimed. ‘You’ll wake him. He’s—’
    ‘Sorry!’ His apology, cutting her short, could be taken to refer either to her protest or the fact that in leaning over the recumbent Frenchman his shoulder struck her in the chest. Next moment he had the locker open and his hand on the rum jar.
    ‘What are you up to?’ Unity’s voice held a sharp, suspicious note, but he ignored the question, murmured a bland, ‘Excuse me,’ and with one heave lifted the heavy jar over De Brissac’s body.
    Synolda laughed; a low delicious chuckle was not the least of her attractions, but as Basil pulled his prize past the flap of the shelter Colonel Carden gave a gasp of surprise and anger.
    ‘Hi! Stop that! Put that jar back at once, sir,’ he ordered tersely.
    Giving him a swift, malicious grin, Basil wrenched out the bung and lifted the jar with both hands, bringing its mouth up to his lips.
    ‘Mr. Luvia!’ bawled the Colonel, scrambling to his feet. ‘Here! quick! Sutherland’s getting at the rum!’ Still shouting for Luvia he grabbed Basil by the elbow and tried to pull the jar away.
    Basil had taken one great gulp. His eyes were starting from their sockets as the neat spirit ran down his throat but, with a dexterous twist, he shook off the Colonel’s grip and tilted the jar again. Some of the rum spilled down his chest, but he sucked in another mouthful.
    It was barely a minute since Basil had thrust his head into the tent but the Colonel’s bellowing had already roused the whole boat’s company. All those abaft the sail took in the situation instantly; others came tumbling aft to find out the cause of the disturbance.
    Next moment the ill-considered action to which Basil’s craving had driven him precipitated open mutiny.

4
Mutiny on the High Seas
    Harlem Joe had seen the passengers quarrelling among themselves. For