"The worst cutthroat that ever sailed," Tobias replied.
"A pirate?" she stared at El Barracuda. Theworstpirate, according to Tobias.
"What makes him different from the others?"
"He's a man with no honor," Tobias stated flatly.
"Honor? Among thieves?"
"Aye, even among thieves," he replied. "But not that man. It doesn't matter who he hurts or the destruction from those cannons. He's a bloodthirsty fellow. Makes my blood run cold just to see that ship here. That means he's pirating the Mediterranean."
"Why do the authorities allow him to come in?”
"As long as he's not caught at thievin' and abides by the law inside the harbor, they allow him to come in for supplies. His money spends like everyone else's, no matter how ill-gotten. Zach has had a few encounters with the man, one particularly bad. El Barracuda has never forgotten it. That's another reason Zach kept part of the crew here and took some of the men with him."
This was something else she hadn't known about Zachary Tennant. Her gaze went back to theSultana.
"What happened?"
"El Barracuda decided he wanted a cargo Zach was carryin'."
"He attacked theRevenge?"
"That was his first mistake," Tobias commented. "TheRevengeis not as big as most ships, being only a schooner. But she's heavily armed, and fast." He gestured down the long decks to the cannons.
"It was the only time El Barracuda ever lost a cargo he was after. It cost him half his crew, and a great deal of pride. He swore he'd see Zach sent to the bottom for it. That's why Zach is careful, especially with you aboard."
She almost laughed at that. He didn't want to lose his hostage.
"When will they be returning?" she asked.
"The men will probably stay ashore for the night, before we continue on to Sydney. It helps them relieve a bit. Even the best seaman gets cabin fever. Zach will probably return after he's completed his business."
Sydney? Australia? Halfway around the world! She had to find a way to get off the ship.
She looked up at Tobias, afraid he might have read her thoughts. She thanked him for the coffee he'd shared.
"You're welcome," he said thoughtfully, watching her.
She turned toward the hatch that led below deck, and quickly descended the ladder. Once inside her cabin, she went to the porthole that she'd opened earlier for fresh air.
If she tried to leave from the deck, someone would surely see her. She looked at the porthole again. It was small, but it was her only chance to escape unseen.
She found a knitted cap in one of the drawers. She yanked it down and tucked her hair underneath.
The shirt and pants she'd been given would have to do and would help with the disguise when she reached shore. That thought raised the question, what she would do when she reached it? She needed money.
She felt like a thief. But it couldn't be helped. Though she still had her diamond and pearl pendant, she was reluctant to part with it, even to buy her way home. She crossed the companionway to Zach's cabin and searched through drawers there.
She found a pouch with a substantial amount of gold coins inside. Surely she would be able to purchase passage to London and possibly some clothes. She tucked the pouch into the waist of the pants, then turned to the porthole.
She looked out again. Now that her decision was made, the drop to the water seemed miles away instead of only several feet. But there was nothing to be done about that, and the water would break her fall.
She carefully wedged herself out of porthole, held onto the edge to get her bearings, then dropped to the water below.
The water was surprisingly warm compared to English waters. She kicked her way to the surface and swam away from theRevenge.
At any moment she expected the warning cry to go out from one of the men who had stayed behind. But there was nothing, only the screech of seabirds overhead and the water. Still, she couldn't rid herself of the feeling that she had been seen.
