So you left enough to work the ship?
Ample, señor, if
That is what I wanted. And, Captain, human beings in addressing me do not use the expression señor. That is insufficiently honorific. I am el Supremo.
Hornblower could only bow in reply. El Supremos marvellous manner was like a stone wall.
The navigating officers are still alive? went on el Supremo.
Yes, said Hornblower; and, because he could see trouble close ahead and was anxious to keep it to a minimum, he added, with a gulp, Supremo.
Then, said el Supremo, I will take the Natividad into my service. I will kill the executive officers and replace them with men of my own. The others and the common sailors will serve me.
There was nothing intrinsically impossible in what el Supremo suggested; Hornblower knew from experience that the Spanish navy, old fashioned as always, maintained a rigid distinction (such as was fast dying out in our own service) between the officers who worked the ship and the gentlemen who commanded it. And Hornblower had no doubt whatever as to what choice the seamen and sailing master would make if asked to choose between death by torture and serving el Supremo.
Nor could it be denied that el Supremos suggestion was in many ways a good one; to transport five hundred men in the Lydia alone would be difficult, to say the least, while the Lydia by herself would find it impossible to blockade completely all the thousand miles of coasttwo ships would cause far more than twice as much trouble to the enemy in that way. Yet to hand over the Natividad meant starting an endless and probably unsuccessful argument with the lords of the Admiralty on the question of prize money. And he could not in honour hand over the Spanish officers to the death el Supremo had in mind for them. He had to think quickly.
The Natividad is the prize of my King, he said. Perhaps he would not be pleased if I let her go.
He certainly would be displeased if he knew you had offended me , said el Supremo. His eyebrows came closer together, and Hornblower heard Hernandez beside him take a quick breath. I have noticed before, Captain Hornblower, that you have verged upon disrespect towards me, and I have been mild enough to attribute it to your foreign breeding.
Hornblower was still thinking hurriedly. A little more opposition would cause this madman to order him out for execution, and if her captain were killed the Lydia would certainly not fight for el Supremo. There would indeed be a complicated situation in the Pacific, and the Lydia, with friends neither among the rebels nor among the government, would probably never reach home againespecially with the unimaginative Bush in command. England would lose a fine frigate and a fine opportunity. He must sacrifice his prize money, the thousand pounds or so with which he had wanted to dazzle Marias eyes. But at all costs he must keep his prisoners alive.
I am sure it is my foreign breeding which is to blame, Supremo, he said. It is difficult for me to express in a foreign tongue all the delicate shades of meaning which it is necessary to convey. How could it possibly be imagined that I could be lacking in respect to el Supremo?
El Supremo nodded. It was satisfactory to see that a madman who attributed almightiness to himself was naturally inclined to accept the grossest flattery at its face value.
The ship is yours, Supremo, went on Hornblower, she has been yours since my men first set foot on her deck last night. And when in the future a vast Armada sails the Pacific under el Supremos direction I only wish it to be remembered that the first ship of that fleet was taken from the Spaniards by Captain Hornblower at el Supremos orders.
El Supremo nodded again, and then turned to Hernandez.
General, he said, make arrangements for five hundred men to go on board the ships at noon. I will sail with them and so will you.
Hernandez bowed and departed; it was easy to see that there was no chance of el Supremo doubting his own divinity as a result of disrespect or hesitation on the part of his subordinates. His lightest order, whether it dealt with a thousand pigs or five hundred men, was obeyed instantly. Hornblower made
his next move at once.
Is the Lydia , he asked, to have the honour of carrying el Supremo to La Libertad? My crew would greatly appreciate die distinction.
I am sure they would, said el Supremo.
I hardly venture to ask it, said Hornblower, but could my officers and I aspire to the honour of your dining with us before our departure?
El Supremo considered for a moment.
Yes, he said, and Hornblower had to suppress the sigh of relief he was on the point of drawing. Once el Supremo was on board the Lydia it might be possible to deal with him with less difficulty.
El Supremo clapped his hands, and instantly, as though by clockwork, a knocking at the brass-studded door heralded the arrival of the swarthy major-domo. He received in a single sentence orders for the transfer of el Supremos household to the Lydia.
Perhaps, said Hornblower, you will permit me to return to my ship now to make arrangements for your reception, Supremo.