Voyage of Slaves Read online

  A snort and neighing came through from the adjoining cabin. The pretty girl laughed happily.

  “It is! That’s our Poppea, I’d know her sound anywhere!”

  Mamma climbed up to Serafina’s side. She listened to the mare’s whinnies. “Oh, you poor old lady, have they kept you down here all this time?”

  La Lindi crawled along the top of the bales to the rear of the cabin. “Here, Mamma, pass me the lantern!”

  Mamma unhooked the lantern from a ceiling beam.

  La Lindi held the light up, dispersing the shadows at the back of the bales. “There’s a door here, like a stable door. Wait!” Serafina heard a bolt being withdrawn. La Lindi sounded excited. “It’s one of those half-doors, like we have on our cart. I can see Poppea, come and look. The door’s jammed by these bales, but I can see her. Hello, my beauty, and how are you, eh?”

  Poppea thrust her muzzle into the opening and Serafina planted a kiss on it.

  “You’ve put on weight, lady. My, but you do look well, all brushed and groomed. They must have been taking good care of you!”

  The presence of the troupe’s mare cheered them up. Mamma began trying to move the bales. “Let’s get the door open, then we can be all girls together!”

  Between them, the three got to work. It took quite awhile, but they managed to roll the bales forward. There were three tiers of them, and it was not possible to clear a space large enough for a horse to come through. However, they did the next best thing. Clearing six bales from the rear, they dropped down and released the lock on the bottom half of the door. It opened enough so that the trio could go through.

  Serafina was first into the stable cabin. She laid her cheek on the mare’s arched neck, whispering, “You couldn’t come into our cabin, so we’ve come to visit you!”

  La Lindi sat down on a heap of dry straw. “This is better than the place they put us in. They must clean it regularly. We’ll probably get into trouble for being in here.”

  Mamma folded her arms decisively. “Trouble, aren’t we in enough trouble as it is? We never asked to come down here. I’ll give them trouble if they want it, you’ll see!”

  It was Ghigno who finally came. They heard the guard opening the cabin on the other side, and heard him call out in astonishment.

  “They’re not here, sir, where can they have gone?”

  Mamma smiled as she listened to Ghigno beating and kicking the guard soundly.

  “Where do you think they’ve gone, misbegotten donkey? Can’t you see the rear hatch door open back there!”

  La Lindi chuckled. “We should have closed it behind us, that would have had them really puzzled!”

  There was no time for further comment, as Ghigno booted the door to the stable cabin open and strode angrily in. His scarred face was livid with rage. He looked as though he was about to strike someone.

  Mamma placed herself boldly in front of Serafina and La Lindi. “I demand that you send us back to the men’s cabin!”

  Ghigno took a step toward her, his fist upraised. “You demand? Who are you to demand, you old she-goat! Get back into your cabin while you can still walk!”

  Fearing he was about to strike Mamma, La Lindi’s shout rang out, loud and abrupt. “Don’t you dare harm her, get back!”

  Poppea knew the term “back.” It was always used by the troupe members whenever they reversed her into the shafts of the cart. The mare whinnied and backed up two paces, her stamping left rear hoof pounding down onto Ghigno’s right foot.

  The Corsair roared in agony. “Yaaarrgh! Get the horse off my foot!”

  Serafina clicked her tongue at the mare, who obliged by taking a step forward, releasing the man.

  The guard supported Ghigno as he hopped about on one leg, uttering agonised sounds.

  Mamma did nothing to disguise the satisfaction in her tone. “There, let that be a lesson, you bullying coward! Well done, Poppea, good horse!” She turned smiling to her two companions. “We girls have got to stick together, eh!”

  All three broke into peals of laughter. The Corsair’s face was almost purple with pain and rage, his scar like a ragged, white lightning flash. When he finally regained his voice, he snarled viciously, “So, you think it’s funny? Well, I’ll give you some news to wipe the smiles from your faces. Your young friends, the boy and his dog, they’re dead. Now laugh that one off!”

  Mamma Rizzoli folded her arms defiantly. “Liar, how could you know that? Neither you or your master are clever or fast enough to catch Ben and Ned. You are telling lies!”

  Leaning heavily on the guard, Ghigno managed a malicious smile. “Then don’t believe me, but take the word of one I heard it from, a captain of the Greek navy. What reason would he have to lie, eh?”

  Their tormentor knew by the shocked looks on the women’s faces that his words had the desired effect. He carried on his report with relish. “Plague it was, the cholera! Your Ben and Ned were aboard a merchant vessel that was overrun by infected rats. The whole crew were killed by the disease. It can run through a ship like wildfire, a horrible death, I’ve been told. We crossed paths with the navy craft, that’s why you were put down here, to keep your men from speaking out. Now do you believe me? The boy and his dog are both dead. What, no more laughter, ladies?”

  He slammed the door. They heard him laughing as he was assisted up the stairs by the guard.

  Mamma burst into tears. “Oh, my poor Ben, that wonderful boy, may the Good Lord rest his soul. And Ned, that lovely dog. Gone!”

  La Lindi hugged Mamma as they wept for their two friends together. However, though Serafina stood stone-faced, she was completely dry-eyed. Mamma turned her tearstained face to the beautiful girl. “Did you not hear him, cara mia? It must be the truth—the Greek navy captain said so!”

  Serafina put her arms around both her friends, her voice held an unwavering certainty. “No! Ben is not dead, neither is Ned. I don’t care who said what. They are not dead, I feel it here in my heart, I am sure they are alive!”

  La Lindi wiped her eyes on the hem of Mamma’s shawl. She stared at Serafina, then nodded. “I believe you!”

  26

  THE TOWN OF PULA ON THE SLOVENIJAN MAINLAND.

  IT WAS TEN O’CLOCK AT NIGHT WHEN Ben and Ned entered the Tavern of the Tipsy Hog, close to the harbour in Pula. They had left the ship’s boat tied up there. Kostas and Yanni went in first. Ned stopped at the door, looking up at the swinging sign. It depicted a hog, dressed in human attire, guzzling down a big pail of beer.

  Ben sent his dog a thought. “If you were landlord here they could have called it the Tipsy Dog!”

  The black Labrador huffed. “Oh, very droll, and if you were the owner I’d have named it the Boozy Boy. Now get in there, insolent youth!”

  The tavern was packed, a welter of noise and music. The customers looked a rough lot, arguing and swigging at foaming flagons, hacking at roasted meat with daggers, singing, fighting and gambling. Kostas waved them to a table. “Sit here, I’ll order us some supper.”

  A waiter served them with plates of fried beef and a mixture of mashed turnip and potato, plus a flagon of dark beer apiece. Kostas took a coin from his pouch and tossed it to the server.

  Craaaack!

  Before the man could catch the coin, it was whipped out of midair by a wild-looking woman wielding a long bullwhip. She caught the coin, and spun it back to the Greek. At the report of the whip, the place fell silent. The woman was only small and lightly built, but her voice was loud and commanding.

  “No good friends of mine pay for supper here!” Craaack! The whip snaked out once more. Ben was surprised that it did not harm Kostas. It wrapped several times about his wrist. The wild-looking woman tugged Kostas toward her.

  “Krimboti! When I saw that red mop of yours, I thought my tavern was on fire. Come here, you great Aegean shark!”

  Roaring with laughter, Kostas ran at her, tossing her into the air and catching her before she hit the floor. “Hohohoho! Janos Cabar, how long is
it since I last set eyes on your pretty face?”

  Digging both hands into his mass of red curls, she tugged them in playful reproach. “Too long, Golden Jaw. So, who’s hunting you, or who are you hunting? I’ll help you—between us we’ll slay all your foes, and help ourselves to their gold!”

  Kostas carried her to the table and sat her on his knee. “Ben, this is my friend, Janos Cabar!”

  The boy regretted his words as soon as they slipped out. “Janos, I thought we were coming to meet a man!”

  The woman took a long pull at Ben’s beer flagon. Wiping her lips on the back of her hand, she grinned. “Look at me, lad, what would you have called me, Caterina, Cecilia, or Collete Cabar? I named myself Janos—I like the name well!”

  Ben heard Ned’s mental chuckle. “You’d better apologise in case you’ve hurt her maidenly feelings, mate!”

  The boy shook Janos Cabar’s outstretched hand. “No offence, marm, I think the name suits you well.”

  The woman had a grip like a vise. She winked at Kostas. “Hey, Krimboti, I like this one. He’s good-looking, and has far better manners than you. Hah, he owns a handsome dog, too. Hello, boy!”

  Ben read Ned’s thoughts as he proffered his paw, which was shaken heartily. “Handsome dog, eh? At least she got my name right. Good grief, she could strangle a tipsy hog with that grip!”

  Ben introduced Ned to Janos, then applied himself to his supper as Kostas and the woman talked together.

  “Well, wild one, how does being a taverna landlady suit you?”

  Janos played with strands of her long black hair. “Oh, good enough, I suppose. It keeps long-nosed officials off my back, seeing I’ve got an honest trade.”

  The Greek dropped his voice. “But it’s only a blind, to hide your real business. Do you still run a gang?”

  Janos Cabar coiled the bullwhip and hung it over her shoulder. “Ah, you rogue, I knew you wanted something the moment you walked in here. Yanni, bring the food and follow us, we’re going downstairs. Too many little pigs with big ears around waterfront taverns these days.”

  They reached the basement by a trapdoor, set into the floor of a back room. It was a spacious chamber, with bales, barrels and chests stacked against the walls. There were about twenty women sitting at various tables, eating, drinking and gossiping. Every one of the women was garbed in men’s riding clothes, well-armed, too, by the sight of blades and muskets tucked into their belts. They fell quiet as the visitors entered, but at a nod from Janos they carried on talking. Ned did the rounds of the tables, and was rewarded with choice morsels from many plates.

  Kostas clacked his gold teeth happily. “Aye, I see you’re still in the highway trade. That’s what I wanted to talk with you about, my friend.”

  Janos draped an arm around Ben’s shoulders. “Go on.”

  Kostas pointed at the boy. “He needs to get to Piran, and he wants to be there soon. That’s why I’ve brought him to you. I require passage for Ben and his dog.”

  The woman turned to Ben. “You must have urgent business in Piran. Tell me, will it keep until just before dawn after tomorrow night?”

  Ben nodded eagerly. “That would be marvellous, marm!”

  Janos pulled him close, muttering with dark humour. “Just you marm me one more time, lad, and I’ll break every rib that you possess!”

  By the strength of the hold she had on him, Ben never doubted her word. He forced a smile. “Not one more marm, I promise, Mrs. Cabar.”

  She gave him a final squeeze as a reminder. “Call me Janos, that’ll do.”

  Kostas interrupted, “What do I owe you, friend?”

  The tough woman shook her head. “I don’t take payment from friends, you should know that.”

  Ned nuzzled her hand until she stroked his ears. “This is a very wild and wonderful dangerous lady, Ben.”

  Ben turned his attention to Kostas Krimboti.

  “How can I thank you for all that you’ve done for us, Cap’n?”

  The gold teeth flashed in a wide grin. “Me, helped you? It’s the other way around, Beniamino. You gave me the gift I have always longed for. Something my parents would not allow me to have—a puppy dog! Once I have the old Blue Turtle fixed up, I will be Kostas Krimboti, the man who got everything he always wished for. To be captain of his own ship, and to own a dog that will become the terror of all seagoing rats!”

  Ben shook the big Greek’s hand fondly. “I’m sure he’ll be a fine dog for you, Cap’n.”

  Kostas stood up. “And now I must go, my friend. You’ll need to rest up before tomorrow evening, and I must get back to my ship and heal her wounds. Janos, I’m taking the boy outside to have a final word with him.”

  Ben and Ned followed Kostas and Yanni back to the boat in the harbour. Out of sight from prying eyes, Kostas held out his hand. “Yanni, my pocket money.”

  From inside his billowing shirt, Yanni brought forth a heavy leather pouch.

  Kostas instructed Ben, “Now listen to me, boy, if you refuse my gift I’ll be very sad, and angry, too. Here’s gold for you. Don’t look so surprised, did you think I was a poor man? I was a treasure hunter, you know. I’ve got gold and jewels that I’ll never be able to count. Janos Cabar must be paid, her business is risky. She won’t take money from me, so you pay her. Keep some for yourself, you may need it before you and your friends are safe. Now don’t argue!”

  Ben accepted the pouch. “Thank you, Cap’n.”

  Kostas stared long and hard at the strange boy with the clouded eyes, regretting that he had no children. “Should you get to the Convent of Santa Filomena, tell the Mother Superior that you are my friend. Say that I will deliver her supplies as soon as I can.”

  Yanni was already in the boat, manning an oar. “Kostas Krimboti, are you coming? The tide’s beginning to turn. Good-bye, boy, good luck to you and your fine dog!”

  The big Greek captain scratched Ned’s ear gently. “Ah yes, such a fine dog. I hope you don’t get lonely without the little puppy, Ned. I think he will be as good a friend to me as you are to your master.”

  The black Labrador looked soulfully up at Kostas, knowing he could not read his thoughts. “I resent that remark, sir, no dog is more friendly or faithful than I am to this wayward youth. And as to the dreaded Amico—well, I may miss him now and again, but at least my tail won’t be chewed to the bone!”

  Ben held forth his hand. “You’d best be going, Captain, good-bye and may good fortune follow you.”

  Kostas pulled the boy to him and kissed the top of his head. “Good-bye, Beniamino, the son I never had. I hope you will remember the Krimboti in the years that lie ahead of you. Go now, don’t look back!” He leaped into the boat, sniffing audibly. Grabbing his oar, he pulled away with might and main. “Well, are you going to sit there complaining all night, Yanni? Come on, bend your back, man!”

  Ben and Ned strolled back to the taverna, exchanging thoughts.

  “Something in your eye, mate?”

  Ben wiped his sleeve roughly across his face.“Oh, you know how it is, Ned, always hard to part with good friends.”

  The dog nodded. “Aye, it is indeed. D’you know, Ben, I’ve just had a thought. We’ve hardly seen the ghost of the Dutchman lately, nor have we heard from the angel. Who knows, maybe the spell of wandering for eternity might be wearing off?”

  The boy stopped. He sat down on the front steps of the taverna, resting his head against Ned’s neck and sighing wistfully. “If only it was! Imagine being able to live your life like others. Never having to keep on the move in case they see you staying young forever. I’m tired, Ned.”

  The faithful dog nuzzled his master’s face. “Oh, come on, or you’ll have me moping about soon. Who ever lived through the adventures and excitement that we’ve had together?”

  The boy rose slowly and went inside, adding to his friend’s thoughts. “Nobody, I suppose. Nor have they had the sorrow and hardships we’ve been through. Being chased through our dreams by an accursed captain. H
ungry, thirsty, frozen by cold weather, roasted by tropical climes. Being enslaved, losing good friends, ordered to travel hither and thither by an angel. . . .”

  Ned threw back his head and bayed sorrowfully. It caught the attention of all the taverna customers. Ben tugged at his dog’s tail.“What are you doing?”

  Keeping up the mournful din, Ned told him. “I’m yowlingand moaning of course, just like you’re doing, and I won’t shut up until you do, mate, so there!”

  Ben was forced to smile—his friend was right. He tugged hard on the drooping tail. “Oh, alright, I’ll quit if you will. Come on, let’s go and see if there’s any of that nice fried beef left before we turn in for the night!”

  Ned immediately ceased the noise he had been making. “Now you’re talking, mate. One thing about being a creature of respectable age, you get to taste some pretty decent stuff. Lead me to it, comrade. Or on second thoughts, you follow and I’ll lead you, us dogs have a finer developed sense of smell than mere humans!”

  They were halfway through their second supper, accompanied by two portions of cherry pie which a friendly cook had found for them, when Janos Cabar appeared, accompanied by an older woman who looked very hard and capable. Janos whispered to her, “Round the rest of the pack up, we meet down below for the midday meal.”

  She turned her attention to Ben and Ned. “You two, clean your plates and get up to bed. Upstairs, second room to the left. You’ll need all the rest you can get if you’re to ride with the Istrani Wolves. Good night!”

  Uncoiling her bullwhip, she cracked it several times above her head, shouting in a harsh voice, “Taverna’s closed now, everyone out. Come on, haven’t you got homes or ships to go to? Move!”

  No man seemed prepared to argue with her; the customers left immediately. Ned picked up his piece of pie in his mouth and headed for the stairs. “Quick, mate, before she makes us scrub the place out!”

  It was a quiet little room, rather sparsely furnished, but spotlessly clean. Ned settled down at the foot of the bed, dropping off into a slumber without further ado. Ben sat up, gazing out of the open window at the harbour and the sea beyond. A half-moon flecked the countless acres of water with silver radiance; the horizon betwixt sea and sky was barely visible. He had seen many such nights over the years, it usually was a calming influence on his mind. Yet Ned’s former thoughts had made him restless. Suppose the visions and voices had left him? Maybe the angel’s command had been brought to an end.