The Sea Hawk Page #6

Capt. Thorpe?

No, it's...

Just what are you grinning at, Mr. Pitt?

I couldn't help thinking to myself

that if I were going to London...

I'd certainly make it a point

to see Miss Latham.

- Blast if I wouldn't.

- I daresay you would.

As a matter of fact, I have an appointment,

only she doesn't know it yet.

- Thank you, gentlemen.

- Aye, aye, sir.

Hello, gentlemen.

Is Capt. Thorpe in his cabin?

That he is. He'll be pleased to see you, sir.

This way, sir.

It seems I'm just in time.

- You're looking very fit.

- Thank you, sir.

Are you going ashore?

Yes. I was just going to London.

We don't sail until next week, you know.

That's what I came to see you about.

You couldn't sail sooner, could you?

Why, yes, if there was some reason for it.

There is, Captain, a very good reason.

I have a message

from Her Majesty the Queen.

She'd like you to set sail immediately.

There are certain members of her court

that are asking too many questions...

about your latest trading expedition

up the Nile.

I see.

Very well, Sir John. I'll not go to London.

And will you please inform Her Majesty

we sail with tomorrow's tide?

You are feeling very happy, Uncle.

What? Yes.

Have you had good news?

Excellent news.

Is it a secret?

You wouldn't be interested, my dear.

Excuse me.

Mr. Kroner to see you, Don Alvarez.

Have him come in, Miss Latham.

- Your Excellency. Doa Maria.

- You have news from my lord?

Aye, the best possible news.

Capt. Lopez sailed this morning.

He'll get to Panama before Capt. Thorpe.

Please congratulate His Lordship

and convey my best wishes.

Thank you, seor. Maria.

The English pirate

has plundered his last ship.

Uncle, what will they do to him?

Piracy is punishable with death.

Or, if Spain is disposed to be lenient,

there's the galley.

- Martha.

- What's wrong, my dear?

- Order me a carriage and fast horses.

- My child!

I'm going to Dover.

Yes. I'll order it at once, my dear.

- Can you reach Dover tonight?

- With a change of horses, yes.

As quickly as possible, please.

- Not a word to my uncle.

- Do not worry about that, my dear.

And if you see that big ruffian Carl,

give him my felicitations...

not that he will know what it means.

Drive on.

3:
00 and all's well!

Can I help you, milady?

Is that the Albatross?

Yes, milady.

Sailed this evening on the ebb tide.

- Is there anything I can do?

- No, thank you.

Set your course west-southwest.

Capt. Thorpe has arrived, seor.

An inlet 10 miles west of Nombre de Dios.

So, for once they send me

an accurate report...

and on time.

Your orders, General?

You will leave with a small escort

for Nombre de Dios...

at sundown, as scheduled.

But the English will attack.

And you will offer no resistance.

Capt. Thorpe came a long way

for this gold.

We must not disappoint him.

Lieutenant, you have seen

the jungle orchid?

It is a very attractive flower...

that holds out its yellow pollen...

but once an insect is lured

within its petals...

they close like this.

We're on the right track, Captain.

I got it from a native.

They hate the Spanish worse than we do.

Near as I could figure his lingo...

the gold train leaves Ventacruz

at sundown...

- about 20 mules in all.

- How far is Ventacruz from here?

About 20 miles, Captain.

It'll take a mule train most of the night.

Good. Then we'll have time for some sleep

after we set up the ambush.

Spread out along this trail

at intervals of 10 yards.

Burke, I'm stationing you at the rear.

It's a very responsible position.

You'll signal on your whistle

when you see the last man and mule pass.

You all know what to do, men.

I'll stay at this point.

Mr. Pitt, you're across from me,

Mr. Scott, next place down the line.

Men, you better all pick out your nests

before dark.

It's too thick in there.

You can't see what's in it.

Full of snakes and crocodiles, I'll wager.

They say there's plants with arms like

that'll strangle a man if he ain't careful.

Stop that talk, or you'll be seeing ghosts

before you see Spaniards.

It's a funny thing about sailors, you know?

They don't mind a fight

if they can see what they're fighting.

But you take a mosquito, now...

What were you saying about mosquitoes?

There's a whole nest of them here.

The beasts have ears.

Try holding your breath, Mr. Pitt,

and then they won't trouble you.

- Better?

- No. I'd rather have the Spaniards.

Hold it longer.

Dismount, please.

- Disarm him, Mr. Pitt.

- Aye, sir.

Down the line, Scott.

See if everything's in our hands.

This is an outrage. It shall be reported

to His Majesty King Phillip.

The news may be a little delayed

in reaching him...

since I must ask you

to remain my prisoner.

Under protest, Capt. Thorpe.

- So you know my name.

- Why, yes, seor.

Everyone in Spain knows your name,

and respects it.

I'm flattered, but I must warn you

against making any false moves...

or my men will be forced to shoot you.

- Mount, if you please.

- Up.

- Looks like it's come pretty easy, Captain.

- Yes. A little too easy.

- They all disarmed, Scott?

- Aye, Captain.

One thing more, sir...

if we should happen to meet anyone

along this trail...

this is your caravan,

and we're part of your escort.

You understand?

Pass the word. Everything ready to move.

- Ready to move!

- Move up, men.

Quietly. Move on. Forward, men.

Quick.

- Get back.

- Behind you!

- Take cover.

- It's a trap and no mistake, sir.

Into the swamp.

Out of the swamps.

No one can live in there.

Let's get out of here.

It's too hot.

It's too blooming hot.

They're not following. We can rest here.

Let me see that arm, Tuttle.

It's in me chest, Captain.

A bit of musket lead.

We'll get that out

when we get back to the ship.

Yes, sir.

How did the Spanish know we were here?

That's what I can't fathom.

We'll find out someday.

Wonder if the others got through, Captain?

If they did, they'll head for the ship.

Lads, we'd best be moving.

You'll never get there with me, Captain.

Of course we will, William.

Feel that breeze? That's from the sea.

- We're on the shore.

- The sea!

Stand back.

It's hard news to carry back.

They'll be wondering

to see only the one boat coming.

Some of them might get through yet,

mightn't they, Captain?

It's a miracle any of us are here, Burke.

I can't see the lookout.

They didn't expect us so soon.

It's funny they haven't posted a lookout.

Maybe there's one behind the chart house.

We couldn't see him from here.

I hope

they haven't broken into the ale closet.

I could do with a mug,

if the chimps ain't drunk it all up.

All I'd like to do is sleep for 1,000 years.

Here's one got ahead of you.

Captain, he ain't never going to wake up.

He wanted to go back to the sea.

- Have you sighted anyone on the boat yet?

- Not a blooming soul.

You might give them a hail, Mr. Scott.

We'll need their help when we get there.

Ahoy, there!

Ahoy, mates! Give us a hand.

You lubbers, show your faces.

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