Presently the party from the cabin came on deck, when I perceived that
Pedro de Castro was one of those who had been present at the
conference. The young Spanish officer was now all smiles and
affability, and Donna Isabel and her son, accompanying him to his boat,
were rowed aboard the frigate.
Hartog then came to me, and I could see he was worried, and ashamed at
having shut me out from what had taken place in the cabin.
"Forgive me, comrade," he said, "but Donna Isabel would have none
present at the interview with the Spaniard save only myself and her son
Pedro."
"Since when has Donna Isabel Barreto become captain of this ship?" I
asked.
"Nay, Peter, I forgive thee that sneer," answered Hartog, "though I
would not take it from another. It has been decided to transfer the
treasure to the Spanish frigate, the captain of the warship undertaking
to protect us while we remain in this port and to pay for all necessary
repairs to our ship. These were the best terms I could make, and they
seem to me fair enough."
I had no desire to haggle over terms, for I was already rich enough to
make me careless of what became of the gold we had taken from the
Island of Armenio, but I realized how great was the influence Donna
Isabel had acquired over Hartog in order to induce him to lay aside his
claim to a part of the treasure.
Pages:
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268