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Hartwell quietly. "Ensure the ship is ready for any eventuality, Mister Fitch."

       "Aye-aye, sir," replied Fitch smartly, who in their time together had come to respect the captain's learning, ability and character, as well as his ability to down several glasses of absinthe each evening and remain vertical.

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    ome two hours later, the small rowing boat that had crossed from the unknown vessel to the admiral's ship reappeared and struck out toward the Pr ide of Plymouth. As it neared, the crew saw in consternation that Admiral Johnson himself was in the boat, along with Lieutenants Flavell and Bennett. At the other end sat a tall, well-muscled black man and it seemed to Captain Hartwell that the navy men and their passenger were anxious to leave as much space between themselves as possible. Hartwell turned his attention to the muttered speculations of his crew.

       "The admiral coming aboard? That is a bad sign."

       "It is a sign from God!"

       "Yes, Pastor White, it probably is." The crew had already found that the best way of dealing with the pastor was to agree with all his theological pronouncements.

       "Ar, the admiral never leaves his command ship unless he has to," said another voice hurriedly, before the pastor could say anything more.

       "And why bring the two lieutenants with him? I've never heard of such a thing."

       "You've never heard of most things, William Sporrit."

       "And who is that Moor with him?" asked another voice as the nervous laughter faded. "He must have come from the other ship."

       "Darkies on our ship? It shouldn't be allowed."

       The crew fell silent, apart from a few muttered agreements or protests at the last statement. Hartwell had no problem recognizing the slimy voice of Edward Fleetwood as the originator of the remark and he resolved to have a quiet word with Mister Fitch to have a quiet word with Fleetwood about his attitudes.

       By this time, the rowing boat had reached the Pride of Plymouth. A rope was thrown down, the craft was tethered and the admiral, followed by his lieutenants and the incongruous passenger, climbed aboard. Hartwell briefly wondered if the admiral would observe etiquette in asking for permission to board. He wasn't surprised when he did not.

       "Ready your crew, Captain," said Johnson as soon as he was on deck, where he began prowling in agitation. The admiral was almost as tall as Hartwell, but whereas Hartwell was lean and taut, Johnson was running to excess flesh. His great, beak-like nose dominated the small, beady eyes and thin lips, in contrast against Hartwell's green eyes, full lips and handsome, symmetrical face.

       "Our orders, Admiral?" enquired Hartwell.

       "Your orders are as they always have been—to do as I tell you," snapped the admiral. Flavell and Bennett snickered quietly while the dark man stood silently observing everything in front of him.

       "But specifically, our orders?" enquired Hartwell, levelly.

       Johnson looked at him sharply, suspecting that the captain was being disrespectful, but his smooth face showed no hint of emotion. Johnson bared his teeth as he turned on the two tittering lieutenants. "What's so funny?" he demanded, sweat dripping from him. The two men stopped giggling and looked dead ahead, standing stiff and upright. Johnson swung around and glared at the black man, who folded his arms and stared back impassively.

       "This, Captain Hartwell," sneered Johnson, "is Madrigal. It is through his betrayal that we have the location of the pirate cove. Honour is not known amongst these people." A few muttered agreements went round the crew behind Hartwell, whose scalp was beginning to tingle in an
    unpleasant manner.

       Madrigal bridled. "What I have revealed to you was done to help put a stop to the slave trade. We are being taken from our homes, cut off from our families and sent to work as slaves. What I have done is for our