Charlie Codmans Cruise 28

Charlie Codmans Cruise 28

"Yes; if the present wind holds, there can be no doubt of it."

 

"And the little plan which we have been contemplating need no longer be

delayed."

 

Randall smiled acquiescence.

 

The wind held favorable, and the next evening saw them in port.

 

The captain and mate went on shore, leaving the vessel in charge of the

second mate.

 

We have nothing to do with the motions of the captain, but will follow

Randall, who, never backward in ill-doing, at once set about the

execution of his scheme.

 

Having been in the city before, he was well acquainted with

localities, and therefore was able to direct his steps at once to that

quarter where he felt he was most likely to meet the man he was in

quest of.

 

He entered a low drinking-saloon, and ordered a glass of liquor, partly

to gratify his taste, partly that while drinking he might have leisure

to look about him.

 

It was a low, square room, dark and unsightly, frequented evidently

by the lowest ranks only. At this time there was but one man present

besides Randall.

 

This man was tall, low-browed, with shaggy black eyebrows, and a

face on which villainy was stamped in Nature's plainest and most

ineffaceable characters.

 

"There's a man," thought the mate, "that will serve my turn, and, to

judge from his looks, will be troubled by no unnecessary scruples on

the subject."

 

Meanwhile, the other, lifting his eyes from the glass, had observed

his close scrutiny, and chose to take offence at it. He rose from his

seat, and, advancing towards Randall, observed, in a menacing tone, "It

appears to me, señor, that you are impertinent."

 

Randall understood the language in which this was spoken, and coolly

inquired, "How so?"

 

"You have been staring at me as if you had some particular object in

it."

 

"So I have," returned the mate, in the same tone as before.

 

"Explain yourself, señor, and if, as I mistrust, you mean to insult me,

I will make you better acquainted with my good knife," and he tapped

the knife significantly.

 

"It is an acquaintance which I do not court," said Randall, shrugging

his shoulders. "But it appears to me that it is not well talking

without something to moisten the throat. I shall be happy to have you

drink with me."

 

"I beg your pardon, señor, for my suspicions, which, I see, were wrong.

I see that you are a gentleman. Henceforth I will treat you as such."

 

"I thought you would learn to know me better," said Randall, filling

both glasses; "let me drink to our better acquaintance."

 

Both sat down very amicably. The glass had made them friends.

 

"I should like to ask your advice on a certain point," said Randall.

 

"I will give it with pleasure."

 

"I have an enemy--a deadly foe--whom I detest. What would you do if you

were in my place?"

 

"You say he is your deadly foe?"

 

"Yes."

 

"I would give him a passport to another world. That is my advice."

 

"And you would feel no compunctions?"

 

"No more than if I were crushing a spider."

 

"I will own, then," said Randall, "that I have thought of this, but it

is difficult for me to act in the matter."

 

"Then hire another to do it."

 

"Ah, if I could only find some brave man who would undertake the job."

 

"Well?"

 

"I would engage him to do it for me, if----"

 

"Well?"

 

"If we could agree upon the terms."

 

"You need seek no further for your man, then," said the stranger,

gulping down another glass.

 

"How is that?" asked Randall, pretending not to understand him fully.

 

"Because, you see before you one who is willing to undertake it."

 

"You?"

 

"And why not?"

 

"Certainly, there is no good reason."

 

"Now tell me about it."

 

"First, let us settle about the price to be paid."

 

"As you please."

 

After some little discussion this was finally fixed at sixty dollars.

For this paltry sum, added to the booty which he might find upon the

person of his victim, this miserable man was willing to commit one of

the worst of crimes.

 

"Now," continued the mate, "I must give you some directions which will

enable you to identify the person."

 

"Is he a sailor?"

 

"He is."

 

"On board what ship?"

 

"The Bouncing Betsey."

 

"Lying where?"

 

Randall indicated the wharf at which the vessel was moored.

 

"Now describe the man."

 

"He is rather below the common height, broad-shouldered,

extraordinarily strong; in fact such a Hercules that it will be well

for you to take him by surprise."

 

"This will make me equal with him," said the Brazilian, displaying his

knife.

 

"That and the darkness."

 

"When shall I be likely to meet him?"

 

"He will receive permission to come on shore to-morrow night," said

Randall. "You must be hovering about the vessel, and watch the sailors

as they come from the ship. When you see him, you will follow him."

 

"Trust me for that."

 

"And when all is over, and you furnish me evidence that you have done

the deed, the money shall be yours."

 

"I require a portion in advance. How do I know but you will play me

false?"

 

"My good friend, I should expect, in that case, to become your victim.

However, your request is reasonable. You shall have one third of the

sum stipulated in advance."

 

He placed twenty dollars in the hands of his companion, and, rising,

paid his score. He then betook himself to the ship, and, on the arrival

of Captain Brace, acquainted him with the result of his visit. The

latter expressed great satisfaction.

 

Meanwhile Bill Sturdy and Charlie were speaking of the plan they had in

view,--that of escaping from the ship.

 

"Suppose," said Charlie, "we cannot obtain permission to go on shore

together."

 

"Then I will come to the wharf at midnight, and you can leave your bunk

unobserved and join me."