Voyage of Slaves

Ben was taken aback by the old man’s sudden announcement. “But sir, you would be putting yourself and Joshua at great risk, I could not permit it!”

Eli Bar Shimon raised his bushy eyebrows in amusement. “I am captain of this ship, Benjamin, I say what is permissible. You forget, I am deeply in your debt—I owe the life of my grandson to you. There is no ship faster in all these seas than my White Ram. I have decided she will take you to Piran!”

Ben appealed to the patriarch. “It is not right that you place yourself in peril for me, sir!”

Eli spread his arms wide. “Peril, from what? I have fought pirates and Corsairs all my life, we of the House of Shimon are merchant warriors. My crew are all seasoned swordsmen, musketeers and cannoneers, they are sworn in loyalty to my family. Believe me, Benjamin, it should not come to a fight. The first duty of a warrior leader is to get out of trouble, not into it!”

However, Ben was not happy with the situation; he was still not convinced. “But sir, Ned and I can slip into Valletta harbour at night and stow away aboard almost any ship. One of them is sure to be sailing for Sicily, Italy or even Slovenija. You cannot go so far out of your way for us.”

Eli refilled his goblet and took a sip. “I like this wine. If I did not have my grandson to educate, this ship to sail on and my own wine to drink, what else would an old man do, Benjamin? I am not out here on business, merely a summer cruise. I can sail my ship wherever my fancy takes me. Slovenija is a nice place at this time of year, they say. From there I will complete my trip back home to Ascalon. So, what do you say?”

Ben clasped the old fellow’s hand fervently. “I cannot stop you, sir, you have my undying gratitude. But Ned and I sail with the White Ram on one condition. That you leave us ashore at Piran and set your course for home. We can handle everything else. What would you tell your son if anything bad happened to Joshua?”

Eli Bar Shimon arose from the table. He opened a long, cedar chest which stood nearby. From it he took a splendid inlaid sword, a broad, curved dagger and a thick, cupid-like bow, with a quiver of arrows. He smiled ruefully.

“I accept your terms, Benjamin. Ah, but it would be fine to use these one last time. You see this bow, it was made from the horns of a mighty ram by my grandfather. One day I will pass it on to Joshua. I was never one for muskets or jezzails—this is a true hunter’s weapon!”

Ben inspected the bow. “It’s a fearsome thing, sir.”

Eli sighed. “A good archer can fire it faster than a man can load a firearm. Its string has sung the deathsong of many who sought to bring harm to the House of Shimon. A few seasons’ work aboard this ship will make my Joshua’s arms strong enough to draw it.” He placed the weapons back in the chest. “You must be tired, Benjamin. Come, I’ll show you and Ned to your cabin.”

Ben settled down on a comfortable bunk, with Ned sprawled across his feet. Unlike his experience on the Sea Djinn, he had no qualms about sailing aboard the White Ram. It had a calm and soothing effect on his mind, devoid of visions featuring Vanderdecken and his hellship, the Flying Dutchman.

Ned liked it also. He yawned cavernously. “Extremely restful and cosy here, eh mate?”

Ben closed his eyes. “Aye, though it would be better if my legs weren’t being numbed by some great lump of a dog lying on them. I can’t feel my feet!”

The black Labrador snorted. “Ungrateful youth, be careful I don’t offer my valuable services to Eli as permanent ship’s dog. He’d jump at the chance!”

Ben prodded Ned. “Not if he had dead legs he wouldn’t.”

In the dark serenity of the peaceful cabin, the two friends soon lapsed into slumber.

It was shortly before midnight when they were awakened by the sound of shouts from out on deck.

17

BURSTING OUT ONTO THE DECK WITH Ned at his heels, ben collided with Eli. The old man hustled him back inside.

“Benjamin, you and Ned must stay out of sight. Ezekiel and Abram, the man who went with him, are being pursued along the shore by armed men. They might be the very ones who are hunting you. Go to my cabin and watch from the windows. Try not to let yourself be seen. Go!”

The patriarch began calling orders to his crew. “Lower the lifeboat, bring Ezekiel and Abram back here with all speed. Marksmen, prime your jezzails and wait on my command!”

A sleepy-eyed Joshua came stumbling out on deck. “Grandfather, what’s going on, can I help?”

The patriarch ruffled the lad’s brown curls. “Everything is under control, my young warrior. Go to my cabin and keep watch with Ben and his dog.”

Hurtling into the surf, both crewmen began making for the lifeboat, which was still some distance off. Bomba and a dozen guards stood panting in the shallows, watching the escaping men. Two horsemen came galloping out of the night. Al Misurata held his mount on shore, whilst Ghigno spurred on into the sea. He was yelling at Bomba.

“Keep after them, blockhead, stop them!”