Zorro and the Outward Journey by Susan Kite

Author:Susan Kite
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: pirate, swords, slavery, human trafficking, zorro, nautical tale
Publisher: Bold Venture Press

14

Sandwich Islands

Diego knocked on the captain’s door. Beatty had never assigned the punishment he had previously promised and this morning’s events couldn’t have made the captain any happier.

“Enter,” Beatty called out. Diego opened the door and stepped aside for Mister Bowman to enter first. Then he walked in and stood before the captain’s small, but ornate oak desk.

“You have continued to flout custom and defy my orders,” Beatty began, glaring at him. Diego stood quietly and listened. “You were supposed to keep those Spaniards in line. You made an unholy spectacle of yourself carousing with the natives, kissing their women. I cannot tolerate this. You are not in California. You are on my ship and you will obey my rules. Your punishment will be cancellation of shore leave for the duration of this stopover. You will not leave the ship.”

Diego gaped, anger overcame the dread and he prepared himself to argue his case when he felt Bowman’s hand grip the back of his arm. He said nothing, but his thoughts were churning furiously, wondering how he was going to send his father’s letter.

“Captain, please,” Bowman began. “Diego has been an exemplary assistant. He did his best with the other Spaniards. They all know English now, and except for those very few, they have adapted fairly well to life on board ship. Most is due to Diego. The most important thing, Captain, is that I need him on shore to assist me in the purchase of the cargo and provisions. His help will be invaluable.”

“You did fine before I bought this Spaniard,” Beatty growled, his eyes hard and unrelenting.

“Yes, sir. However, I am often tired and haven’t made as many profitable transactions at our earlier ports o’call. If I had someone with me to help me remember and keep things straight, I am sure our profits would be greater,” Bowman continued to explain.

Diego felt gratitude supplanting the anger and he also felt hope beginning to take root.

“We could look over twice as many sale goods, and make more purchases that would increase our profits in Singapore and Canton.”

Beatty’s eyes softened only slightly and he pulled at his chin. The silence grew long and then longer. “Very well, but there will still be a punishment. And I will hold you to that promise, Mr. Bowman, of more purchases.” He glared at Diego, still stroking his chin. “You cannot go on shore today, but you can go tomorrow, when you are finished with your shipboard duties. This morning you will clean the decks; this afternoon, you will work in the hold, cleaning out the bilge and killing rats. You will work until lights out. Before you go ashore tomorrow, you will make sure you have not only finished all I have ordered you to do for your punishment, but also all the duties Mister Bowman assigns you to do. Any shirking and the original punishment stands. Do you understand?”

Diego’s face remained passive and his voice grateful. “Yes, sir, Captain Beatty.” Pompous ass! “Thank you.

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