Captain in Calico

Captain in Calico Read Free Page B

Book: Captain in Calico Read Free
Author: George MacDonald Fraser
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those two years – the notion took me that perhaps the pardon might not be out of reach after all. I thought that if the law will let bygones be bygones, well, I might pick up where I left off.’ He gave a deprecatory shrug. ‘Provided she’s of the same mind as she was two years gone. When she learns how it fell out, I think she will be.’
    Woodes Rogers studied him with interest. ‘She must have considerable attractions,’ he mused. ‘Who is she?’
    â€˜Her name is Sampson,’ said Rackham. ‘Kate Sampson. Her father has plantations –’ he broke off at the sudden clatter as Master Tobias’s pounce-box fell from his table, dislodged by the little lawyer’s uncontrollable start. And in turning in the direction of the interruption, Rackham did not see the colour drain abruptly from Rogers’ face at the mention of that name. When he looked back again the Governor had one elbow on the table and his face was shaded by his hand.
    â€˜You’ll know him,’ Rackham concluded. ‘An honest little man.’
    Woodes Rogers did not reply, but he rose abruptly and walked over towards Dickey’s desk. There he stopped, asthough undecided, his back to Rackham, looking over Dickey’s head towards the windows. The lawyer, glancing at his face from the corner of his eye, saw it strained and ugly, and when the Governor spoke again, his voice was unusally hard.
    â€˜That explains your own reason. What of your followers?’
    â€˜We put it to a vote; the majority were for coming in. The others had the choice of coming or not, as they pleased, but they fell in with the rest of us.’
    â€˜Why?’ snapped Rogers. ‘Surely some must have preferred to find employment with another pirate captain?’
    â€˜With twenty thousand pounds’ worth of silver in the
Kingston
to share when they get shore with a Royal pardon under their belts?’ Rackham was amused. ‘Not they.’
    Rogers wheeled on him like lightning. This time he made no attempt to conceal his stupefaction. ‘What did you say?’ His voice was strained with disbelief.
    â€˜Twenty thousand pounds of silver,’ Rackham repeated. ‘Taken from the Spaniards in the Gulf of Florida. There was more, but it’s gone now. Still, they look to what’s left to see them snugly provided for ashore.’
    Rogers for once was at a loss to preserve his calm. ‘Are you mad?’ he burst out. ‘D’ye suppose for a moment they’ll be permitted to keep it? God’s light!’ He wheeled on Dickey. ‘Was there ever such effrontery? They’ll have the pardon, will they, and keep their plunder too?’
    â€˜Spanish silver,’ corrected Rackham. ‘Plunder if you will, but the British Crown has no right to it.’
    Rogers bridled like an angry cat. ‘Will you talk to me of right?’ He strode forward, glaring at Rackham. ‘Listen, listen but a moment, Master Pirate.’ It was all he could do to speak coherently, so great was his rage. ‘That silver, or any otherloot you may have, is forfeit to the King. That you will understand now. By God, I marvel at you! I do, as I live! Do you know where you stand, or must I inform you? I’ll see you and your crew of mangy robbers sunk and damned before you’ll have one penny of that silver, aye, and I am Woodes Rogers that say it! You seek the pardon, you say. Then, by heaven, you’ll sail your brig into this port, silver and all, and surrender every ounce, or you’ll not only see no pardon, I’ll have every man-jack of you sun-dried in chains.’
    Any normal man’s composure would have been shattered by that tirade, but Rackham simply shook his head. ‘They’ll never agree,’ he protested. ‘I feared ye might bilk at letting them keep all, but a portion …’
    â€˜Not a penny.’ Rogers’ voice was suddenly dreadfully

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