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Fitz the Filibuster, a novel by George Manville Fenn |
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Chapter 34. No Burgess Aboard |
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_ CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. NO BURGESS ABOARD But the skipper's forebodings were needless. As they sailed round the headland it was through a sea of golden light. There lay Velova with every window flashing in the late afternoon sunshine. Small coasting vessels were at anchor, boats were putting out to sea to reach the fishing-grounds; and, save that through the glass a few figures could be seen about the little fort with its flagstaff flying the national colours, and the rough earthworks could be made out mounting a few small guns, all was calm and peaceful. "There, captain," cried Don Ramon triumphantly, "what do you say now?" "It is for you to speak, sir. What do you say now?" "Sail right in as close up to the wharf as you can get; you can lay your vessel alongside in these calm waters." "And if they open fire?" "They will not dare," cried the Don, his eyes flashing with excitement. "We must be first, and there will be scarcely any one there." "But if they did, sir?" "If they did, my men would crowd into your boats, we should row ashore and carry the fort and earthworks. We can do that with ease while you come right on to where we will meet you, and help to land the guns. Captain Reed, our young friend's plans have opened the way to triumph. You will see that all the people in Velova now will declare for me. I shall arm them with the rifles you have brought, strengthen the fort and earthworks, and plant three of the pieces upon the road leading to the mountain-pass by which the enemy are bound to come. Let them attack then if they dare. Do you see? Do you understand?" he added quickly. "Yes. Excellent. Nothing could be better than your plan, sir; and if Villarayo should not arrive till morning the game would be your own." "Would be! Will be," said the Spaniard fiercely. "What is to prevent it now?" The skipper glanced round as they stood together aft, and saving the two lads there was no one to overhear his words, as he leaned a little nearer to the excited Spaniard and said, almost in a whisper-- "The gunboat." There was a faint click. Don Ramon had closed his teeth sharply, and he turned half round to gaze out to sea. The next minute he turned back with his brow knit and his eyes half-closed. "Yes, my good friend," he said quietly; "that is the great enemy. Ah! if you could show me how to get control of that it would mean all. Still I do not despair. She is not here now, and there is the land, the country all before me. Let her keep away till after Villarayo has returned, and I have scattered all his horde of ruffians, the sweepings of the place--as I shall, for once I have landed with my warlike supplies, all that is good and true in Velova will fight for me to the death--and then the march to San Cristobal will be an easy task. The news that Villarayo and his people are scattered will go before me, and the people there will crowd to me for arms, the arms that I shall send round by your vessel to meet me there. Oh, it will be all child's play now, and in another few days my flag will be flying at San Cristobal, as it will be flying here." "If," said Fitz quietly to Poole, as the Spaniard walked forward to address his men, "he is not counting his chickens before they are hatched." "Yes," said the skipper, who had heard his words; "and if the gunboat does not return." "Well, father, there are some things in his favour," said Poole, "even about the gunboat." "What?" "This is a very rocky coast. That gunboat must draw a good deal of water." "True, my boy; true." "And, father," said Poole, with a smile, "they haven't got a Burgess on board." _ |
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