Chance the Winds of Fortune Read Online Free PDF Page B

the tartan flag as well.”
    â€œBertie Mackay?” Alastair expostulated. “What the devil’s he doin’ out here? He was in St. Eustatius when we were. He said he had a cargo he had to deliver to Charles Town. I wonder what happened to it, ’cause unless he had wings, there is no way he could have made it there and back in this short time.” Alastair was reasoning aloud, thinking of the portly captain of the Annie Jeanne , who happened to be one of the best smugglers in the Carolinas. Cuthbert “Bertie” Mackay, who had a crew of cutthroats even a pirate would think twice about taking on board.
    â€œThe cap’n’s got mighty fine eyesight,” MacDonald said casually. “I don’t imagine the lookout would hae seen the sails unless he’d been told to look for them in that direction.”
    Dante smiled and glanced over at the shrewd Scotsman. “Right you are, Mr. MacDonald. I suspect that Bertie Mackay has been riding in our wake since St. Eustatius. I first caught sight of him two nights ago. I’d come up on deck during the graveyard watch, and was quite surprised to find someone signaling the Sea Dragon . However, I was even more surprised to find the Sea Dragon answering.”
    â€œGood God! A spy on board the Sea Dragon ?” Alastair blurted, unable to contain his shocked dismay. “Who the devil is it?” he asked, glancing around as if the culprit might be lurking next to him.
    â€œYou will find out soon enough,” Dante said, not in the least concerned. “Ah,” he added then, as a scuffling of feet on the deck below and the sound of angry voices could be heard coming closer. “I believe our questions shall be answered very shortly.”
    Suddenly, however, pandemonium broke loose as a group of men scrambled from the companionway and set off across the deck in pursuit of the first man, who’d shot out as if he’d had the hounds of hell on his heels. This noisy group, some swinging boat hooks and others, belaying pins and mallets, cornered their quarry near the foremast.
    â€œMission accomplished, I see, Mr. Fitzsimmons,” Dante remarked lazily, his gray eyes narrowed with displeasure as he watched the struggling seaman being held very much against his will between Cobbs and Trevelawny.
    â€œAye, he tried to cut and run, he did,” Cobbs spat. “But he’s got the devil to pay and no pitch hot now.”
    â€œTo be sure, Cap’n, we caught ourselves a real fishy-smellin’ vermin this time, that we did,” Fitzsimmons added with a wide grin. “When he sees us comin’, he tries to jump overboard. Only a guilty conscience could make a man do that, I’m thinkin’, especially when he doesn’t know how to swim.”
    Cobbs jerked his prisoner up closer to the railing. “Turned real nasty, he did,” he said, rubbing his slightly swollen jaw.
    â€œDo you indeed have a guilty conscience, Mr. Grimes?” Dante asked quietly.
    â€œDunno what ye’re talkin’ about, Cap’n. What’s this all about anyway? I been mindin’ me own business. At least I was until these lubbers come chargin’ after me like a bunch of harpooned whales. What’s it about, Cap’n?”
    â€œThat is what I’m asking you, Mr. Grimes,” Dante responded with a smile, which should have warned the manhandled Mr. Grimes to tread lightly. “I’m sure that I, as well as the crew of the Sea Dragon , would be greatly interested in hearing about your clandestine communications with your real captain, Mr. Grimes. Now, come along, Mr. Grimes, this is no time for misplaced discretion. Your life may very well depend upon what you tell me and the crew of the Sea Dragon . I’m sure Bertie Mackay will understand the delicate predicament you now find yourself in.”
    At Dante’s mention of the rival smuggler’s name, a murmur of surprise and protest