Voyage of Slaves

Al Misurata narrowed his eyes. “I have always succeeded—failure was never in my nature. If you are a fox seeking a rabbit, it does no harm to visit the places where that rabbit may be hiding.”

Ghigno nodded. “We are bound for Kornat. From there we will follow the island coasts, past Dugi Otok and Losinj, then across to Pula and the Slovenijan mainland. Not far to Piran then, Lord.”

Al Misurata dropped his tone to a murmur. “Not far, Ghigno. Send those entertainers back to their quarters. The snake lady has ears that hear too much.”

25

THE ISLE OF LOSINJ. DALMATIA.

A CURVING INLET FORMED THE BAY where the Blue Turtle lay beached. It was a bright, sunny noon as Ben and Ned surveyed the beautiful island.

Captain Alexi Constantinou called out from his ship, “You there, boy, cast off the tow rope. Let it drop into the sea, there’s nothing like salt water for cleaning up a rope from infection.”

The boy unlooped the haltered tow rope from the prow and let it splash into the shallows, taking in Ned’s thoughts.

“That’s a wise move, I’d do the same thing if I were cutting loose from an infected craft. He’s no fool, that Little Alexi!”

Ben signalled the Callisto’s crew to haul in the line. “Aye, that’s why I’m keeping up the act of a stricken cabin boy. I hope Nico has the sense to do the same.” He had no need to be worried. The ship’s cook acted his role to the hilt. Hunching his body, he gave vent to a bout of rasping coughs, calling plaintively to the naval captain.

“Don’t go and leave us here alone, sir. Surely you can spare a little food, and more water for sick men!”

But the little captain had already ordered his ship to put about for sea. He replied impatiently, “I’ve given you all the help I can, fend for yourselves now. The island is sparsely populated, but I’ll wager there are farmers, shepherds and streams for your needs. If you survive the cholera, you can repair your vessel and carry on to Muggia. Good luck to you!”

The Callisto’s master gunner whispered to the bosun, “Listen to that pompous little toad, wishing good luck to cholera victims. Still, better them than us, eh?”

The bosun nodded sadly. “Aye, it’s like pouring water on a drowned man. Look at the state they’re in, that plague will kill them all soon, rest their souls!”

Ben, Ned and Nico waited until the Callisto was out of hailing range, then hurried down to the cabin. Kostas was cleaning the mess from his face with a bowl of warm water. He replaced his gold teeth, whipped the turban from his red curls and danced a lively jig.

“Hohoho, your plan worked well, boy! Ah, what I wouldn’t have given to fire a broadside at Little Alexi as a farewell. Oops! Get that puppy from under my feet!”

Amico had joined in with the dance, almost tripping Kostas. He licked away at Ben’s face as the boy picked him up. “Amico! Amico!”

Ben placed him down alongside Ned. “Here, mate, see to him before he gets trampled flat.”

Ned gave a snort of disgust. “Yurgh! Look what the little savage is up to now. He’s eating the pork rind off my back! Oh well, carry on, you little horror, it’ll save me a job. Here, what about this bit that’s stuck to my tail? Yowch, go easy!”

The crew waded ashore in good spirits, with Kostas carrying Nico on his back. They gathered driftwood and lit a fire, with Herakles standing in as cook and preparing a fish stew. The carefree Kostas opened a jar of retsina wine for his men. Borrowing a bouzouki from Babiko, he tuned it and began singing.

 

“One day I met a pretty girl, who fell in love with me, I stole her father’s fishing boat, and off I went to sea!

Away oh hey ho, yes off I went to sea!

 

“I took her mother’s speckled hen,

The one that lays so good, and borrowed her brother’s fine red coat,

I think he wants my blood! Away oh hey ho, I think he wants my blood!

 

“Farewell to all who seek my hide, fat mothers-in-law to be, far o’er the bounding main I’ll go, where you can’t follow me!

Away oh hey ho, where you can’t follow me!

 

“There’s pretty girls in foreign lands, they’ve kissed me lovingly, now I’ve a girl in every port, but my true love’s the sea!

Away oh hey ho, yes my true love’s the sea!”