Sandy, who had long since completed his purchases, stood waiting outside, a curious expression at his face. Zach held out his hand to his little companion. "Good day,senorita."
She dimpled, flashing him a devastating smile that surrounded several pieces of candy.
"Uuilo obrigado."She turned and would have run away with her horde of candy. His voice stopped her.
The little thief turned, and Zach started to present her with the package containing the shawl she'd seen in the window. For a moment he held it just beyond her grasp.
"You must promise you will wear a dress at least one day each week, and when you wear it, you will wear this also."
She nodded, her large round eyes adoring."Muito obrigado,"she exclaimed and then scampered away. But a few yards down the cobbled street, she stopped and turned back around.
"What is it?" Zach's eyes smiled his pleasure at giving her the gift. Truly, he felt as if he'd received the greater gift; he'd purchased something for Elyse, something he felt she would truly enjoy.
"How old are you?"she asked with bold curiosity. In another three or four years she would blush even to speak with him.
Sandy had been watching their exchange, and he could contain himself no longer. He burst out laughing.
"I think, Cap'n, your littlesenhoritahas plans for you. You'd better watch out or she'll be taking you home to meet mama."
"If I were ten years younger and you were ten years older, I would never be able to leave Lisbon," Zach told her.
She thought on that. "You are very old," she told him." When I am a woman like my sisters, you will be as old as my father. I do not think I would like that. I want a young man who is very strong and fast. He must at least be able to sneak apples away from old Gonsalves’ cart without being caught."
Zach laughed. "You're right," he told her. "He must at least be able to do that." Then, growing very solemn, he placed his hand over his heart as if it were truly breaking.
"I will never forget you."
Suddenly the child revealed the breathtaking beauty she would one day be. She smiled shyly, her lashes sweeping low against her cheeks.
"I will never forget you,senhor."Then she fled, her bundle clutched tightly under her arm, candy in her cheek.
"Ah, Cap'n." Sandy shook his head appreciatively. "You've a way with the ladies."
Zach frowned slightly, wondering if another young lady would be as pleased with his gifts. He found himself wanting to say there was only one young lady who mattered to him, but he didn't. He merely nodded gruffly at Sandy.
"Let's get back to the ship. I want to be there when that broker arrives for the transfer. The sooner that gold is off my hands, the happier I'll be."
Sandy nodded sternly, but the light in his eyes danced. "Aye, aye, Cap'n."
It was almost an hour later when they crossed from the landing to theRevengein the small landing boat. Zach nodded to his man as he climbed the ladder and stepped onto the deck.
It was already early evening, shadows slipping across the water of the harbor. He'd hoped to be able to tie in at the dock to unload the gold more easily, but this was a busy time of year in Lisbon. At any rate, a man he'd dealt with before had two steam driven ferries he used to transport goods up and down the nearby Tagus River.
One was tied up not too far away, having just brought in a shipment of wine casks for delivery to clients in the city. The broker was to meet the ferry captain and they would be along first thing in the morning. Zach looked up as Tobias came up from below. His old friend greeted him with a nod.
"Any trouble?" Zach glanced meaningfully back over Tobias’ shoulder in the direction of theSultana.
"Not a whisper. El Barracuda is not aboard, and a good many of the crew are gone as well. There's just a skeleton crew keepin' an eye on things. They've been takin' on supplies most of the day."
"What about our supplies?" Zach took the supply manifest Tobias handed him.
"Everything you ordered is aboard. Tris and a couple of the other men finished securin' everything earlier. They're eager to be ashore themselves as soon as the others return."
Zach nodded, scanning the manifest Tobias handed him. Tris was trustworthy. He could be certain they had most of what they would need for the voyage to Sydney. Extra stores of fresh water and perishable food would be obtained along the way.
Their course across the Mediterranean to Suez and through to the Red Sea would take them across the Arabian Sea to India. From there they would skirt the coast of Ceylon en route to Singapore, head on to New Guinea and into the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia. It was not the easiest route, but it was the shortest, if a man knew the waters, the reefs, and the small, scattered islands that could offer shelter.
Zach looked up, his gray eyes scanning the deck. He'd left instructions that Elyse was to have the freedom of the ship, and at this time of day, when the sun no longer beat down on the decks, he expected to find her enjoying the cool evening air.
