The Wreck of the Ten Sail by Steven Becker

Author:Steven Becker [Becker, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B01596RTRG
Publisher: The White Marlin Press
Published: 2015-12-01T16:00:00+00:00

***

I knew we were getting close. People of all kinds were on the road now, some walking, others riding. Several large carriages passed by, their occupants concealed behind curtains. Finally, near dusk, we reached the city, but Mason thought it better to wait and camp one more night. He knew the dangers of an unknown city after dark and, despite my eagerness, I succumbed to his wisdom. We were eating the last of our turtle and making plans for the next day, when Blue appeared.

Not comfortable with horses, he had traveled by foot, the mode of transport more suitable for the pygmy. But now he was more agitated than I had seen him before.

“It is bad here, Mr. Nick. Many people give the evil eye.”

“We are only traders here, Blue. No one knows our purpose.”

“They know Englishmen have money to spend. But Blue will watch them.”

“Thank you. We should take turns on watch tonight,” I said to Mason. He agreed.

It was another sleepless night for me. Although we were not in the city itself, we were close enough to smell it, and there was traffic coming and going late into the night.

I felt like I had just fallen asleep when Mason woke me. It was about an hour after dawn and the road was already choked with merchants bringing all manner of goods and livestock into the city. We fell in behind one group, walking our horses and trying to blend in. Blue had disappeared again, but I knew he was watching.

After all the waiting, I had to admit I was disappointed. Havana had a unique waterfront with old forts and buildings, but the market was smelly and crowded with people pushing and arguing in Spanish, of which I knew few words. The streets were narrow, their ruts full of muck. Reluctantly, we found a stable and paid the owner a few bits of silver to feed and water our horses, then set off on foot.

It was a simple matter finding the goods Mason needed, although, looking at the pile in the cart, I had no idea how it would all go together. Still, Mason seemed happy enough.

As the afternoon wore on, the atmosphere in the streets grew seedier. Whores and drunks now pushed through the crowds and I suspected there was a fair amount of thieving as well. I was anxious to leave the city and get back to the ship. We reached the stable, hitched the cart to one of the horses, and, as quick as we could, made our way out of the town.

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