And now since I must needs be lonely man henceforth, I am resolved to live and die (I hope) at sea, this infinite mystery where (as I do think) in day and night, calm and tempest, God is so manifest. I shall therefore devote myself more than ever to fitting myself for sea life by study of books, of ships and the men who sail therein, and thus become one of the great Sea Brotherhood. These sailormen, for the most part, I prove to be woefully ignorant and therefore rough and suspicious, and yet therewith kindly and simple-hearted, and naught wanting to win their faith and love but justice, sympathy and belief in their manhood.
June 4
To-day for the first time Anthony and I took our places at table in the great cabin called 'coach', with Absalom, his chiefest officers and the five rescued prisoners, namely: Sir Oliver Kent, Mr. Ames, Sir George D'Arcy, Mr. Falcon and Mr. Temple, which last is kinsman to Sir Benjamin, a young, sad gentleman and silent. With these during the meal we became more familiar, and found them kindly gentlemen all, and more especially Sir George. And myself very happy to see Antonia bear herself as any young gentleman should. The meal ended, we, Anthony and I, out upon deck leaving the others to their cards and wine, and she very full of talk anent these same gentlemen who, so long familiar to us by sight and word, were now so much better known and esteemed, especially Sir George D'Arcy. After this, to my cabin, and there much talk of ourselves or rather, of her. For since telling me of her love for Ab. she will now speak much of him and of her own hopes and fears, making of him now a hero as much too perfect and beyond her hopes, as before she had vowed him a wretch beneath contempt. And in thus confiding in me she but makes herself the more inexpressibly dear, so that the thought of our soon parting becomes a pain hard to bear.
This night I worked late at my Navigation studies, and yet, when I got me to bed, was haunted by this one dismal thought that followed me even into my dreams.
June 6
This morning, Sir Benj. hobbling on my arm, he begins to peeve and fret and on my asking the reason falls to great fury of vain oaths and fetching breath thereafter:
"Look, Adam," says he, "here's me with nigh all my poor fortune in this ship and cargo and no least idea whither we are bound, for when I question Absalom, as is my right, he puts me off with side answers, laughing mockery and evasions, so that I begin to lose all faith in him and conceive myself mortally affronted to boot."
I told him that I hoped not.
"Ay, but I do," says he with more ferocity of oaths; "he shall account to me or debate the matter wi' steel as gentleman should, so soon as I'm healed o' this plaguey wound, a three ounce ball through my nether man,—though precisely how any rogue-pirate could have aimed to hit me there, is my astonishment. Howbeit, so soon as I am able, Troy shall answer me one way or t'other." At this I counselled him patience, very earnestly, also reminding him how we had sailed for the rescue of his kinsman and other gentlemen.
"True enough, Adam," says he, "but this done, we were to open trade with my goods along the Guinea Coast and Gambia River which, as you should know, lie now far astern of us. And thus am I choused! And by Troy, this man I trusted, for, mark me,—'tis my certain belief he is minded to sail on his own account, ay and to turn rogue-pirate, Adam, and make us like rogues!" At this I protested with vehemence, and indeed no little heat, vowing he did Absalom great wrong and injustice. In the midst of which Sir Benj. stayed me with furtive gripe on my arm, and, glancing up, I saw Absalom regarding us from the poop nearby.
"What," laughs he, "at thy old plaints, Ben? Ay, faith, thy so fiery visage proclaims it. Then at the next bell come ye both to me in the coach and shalt hear that shall make thee pipe like carolling lark."
So at the turning of the next glass and stroke of bell that marks change of watch, to the great cabin we went, and found Absalom there seated with Smy and every of his officers including gunner, boatswain and carpenter and with chairs beside him for us. Scarce are we seated than he speaks, and so far as I remember, these his words.
Sirs, by the recent death of my brother, Lord Perrow, I am transmuted from poor adventurer into person of some wealth. Yet seaman I am and adventurer I shall ever remain, being so by nature. Thus Captain Absalom Troy keeping faith with himself and with you, shall more than fulfil his pledges by leading ye to such riches as goeth beyond our present hopes. And this the manner on't, to wit: We sail for Port Royal, Jamaica, there to refit and better arm our ship what time we market our cargo. This done, we bear away for an island, known only to Captain Smy and myself, called Black Bartlemy's Key, there to make sure end of this black rogue,—which good work happily accompt, we repay ourselves by plunder of his secret hoard, this great treasure of jewels and gold that is become a bye-word along the Main, for there is no man hath sailed those seas but shall hear tell of Black Bartlemy's Treasure.
"I have, for one!" cries John Weir, the first Officer. "And I also!" says Roger Challen that is now master in the room of poor Amos Perrin. And now I spoke, saying that if this treasure be so great it will certainly be well hid and hard to come by.
"Ay, to be sure," nods Absalom, "very true, Adam, for, besides Black Bartlemy there were but four men knew of this secret, and two of these are dead, therefore, whiles other two escaped so hardly with their lives that to-day Bartlemy believes them dead also,—yet are they very much alive as ye may see, for one of these men is Captain Smy and t'other—myself.
"This then is our true venture, and one to make us, each one, rich all our lives. The treasure to be shared proportionate to rank by articles to be drawn up anon and duly signed. And now I think a noggin to drink success upon us every man jack." So presently we all drink right heartily, and every man now mightily uplift and eager, indeed, as any band of school urchins. And yet, thinks I, this treasure is yet to find.
June 7
This morning on deck with her, and though so early, the sun extreme fierce, and the sea alive with great shoals of flying fish that do go with a small, dry, whispering sound. And some of these at last falling on board, we saw their wings no more indeed than large fins. And these fish will only leap into flight when pursued by an enemy below and, thus flying, are often attacked by birds in the air, so that these poor, hunted creatures have but short and anxious life. Towards noon Absalom comes to me and I wonder to see him girt with his sword and crowned with brave, feathered hat, very stately.
"Ay," says he, on my remarking this, "I'm to oversee punishment,—a blasphemous, murderous fellow and proven thief named Jenks, wilt go with me, Adam? There sound the drums! Wilt along?" But, instead, I went and shut myself into my cabin, maugre the heat, not to hear or see aught of this miserable wretch, for I cannot abide this methodical beating of a man whose writhing body is bound helpless to the cruel lash. I was hard at work with my books when to me cometh Antonia, breathless and very pale.