By this time Catalina, having gathered that Harry was no enemy, thought
that he might be hungry, and brought out some bread from a cupboard; and
the poor fellow fell upon it with such evident hunger that Etta’s heart
was touched, and she continued to talk to Harry.
’Those wicked men have, then, starved you?’ she asked, as Carlo, having
had his knee bandaged by Catalina, went into the large cupboard and
tried to persuade Felipa to come out, for at present there was no
visible danger.
’Not more than were all the others; the men all share and share alike;
and when we were on the marsh, with the rain falling upon us, we were in
such a bad plight that the men began to grumble finely at Captain
Morgan; indeed, if a body of Spaniards had appeared at that moment we
should never have reached this place. I can tell you Captain Morgan was
glad enough to get the Governor’s letter; but he laughed in his sleeve
when he found his threats had been taken in earnest, for they were but
bravado.’
’Oh, hush! don’t tell Carlo all this,’ said Etta quickly; ’he is so
brave and good, and wished to go out this morning against them. But the
place must have been betrayed, I think, for all said it could never be
taken.’
’Ay, so it was, young mistress; and, now I see it contained such brave
people and one of my own countrywomen, I am sorry enough; but before, I
was right glad, for we suffered a great deal. Yet I ought to be used to
suffering, for all this is nothing to the grief I had when these men
kidnapped me from my home. And never a word have I been able to send to
my parents that I am alive and well; for they take care I get no chance
to speak with any passing ship.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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