Macgregor said, "We have almost completed the mission, sir!" Proudly, he waved his arm at the five boats that were now pulling toward the "Athena," crammed to the gunwales with men. The moonlight obliquely paved a path across the water to the frigate. Macgregor, looking at the ship, said, "Isn't she beautiful, sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Macgregor," Barney said. "Yes, she is. Carry on, sir."
His feet sank in the sand as he walked over to Joshua and de Bouille. Lucie sat on the big rock, and Connor crouched at its foot, talking. As Barney came up, he looked past de Bouille to Joshua; their eyes met. Joshua said, "Barney," and then without another word, both of them walked away a few feet to the wet sand, the water curled in near them with a little sucking sound.
Joshua said, without preamble, "Connor's been telling de Bouille. We're going to stay."
Barney looked at Joshua; he was conscious of the sound of the water, and the men's voices and of Lucie sitting there on the rock, with Connor crouched beside her.
"You're going to stay?" he repeated.
"I know every inch of this forest, and the beaches. I've climbed down Jenkin's Bay many times. Jenkin's Bay is the only bay that is not visible from Signal Hill; and after this, after they discover what happened tonight, they will leave the picquet at the Hill all night— you can be sure of that."
"Yes," said Barney, "but—"
"Connor's been telling us how vital it is you get information on
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the fleet and convoy movements. Both de Bouille and I are able to judge, with a good glass, what's going on. Connor also said vou would use the cutter 'Sylph,' the 'Athena' and sometimes native canoes, from Saba, Guadeloupe."
"Yes," said Barney.
"Of course they will not know these men have been evacuated for some time, Barney."
"Yes," Barney repeated.
"It is a very simple matter to keep the harbor under surveillance; there are numerous advantageous spots." Joshua suddenly added, "Why so glum? We'll let you know what's happening and you can catch 'em," He grinned and Barney smiled, too.
"It's a damned important job you'll be doing," he said.
"I know that," said Joshua briefly, and Barney couldn't help smiling.
A returning boat was dragged in almost at their feet. This job was almost done. Joshua turned, and Barney nodded. It was time to say goodbye.
Connor and de Bouille were still talking. Joshua came up and lifted Lucie off the rock. Barney, looking at all of them, said, "Connor told you we brought the chest of provisions?" He glanced around and saw the big chest, fifteen feet away. "Now unpack it; so you don't leave it all to be found. And move daily. That is important. Never stay in one place. I shall be back in three days. At that time I will arrange for the next rendezvous. I will come always at night, of course." He wanted suddenly to say more. He wanted to say something reassuring. "We brought muskets, pistols, rum, lemons, bread, pork—" He broke off. They would find what he had brought. He glanced at Lucie.
Lucie was standing between de Bouille and Joshua. She put out her hands and touched each one on the arm. "Take care," she said. She caught her lip in her teeth.
Barney knew that was what he had been saying, too. Lucie dropped her hand from de Bouille's arm and put it in his hand. He kissed it. "Au revoir/' she said.
Joshua gathered her close in his arms, tipping her head back for a long kiss. "Let them look," he whispered. "I love you." He kissed her again, holding her tight, and then he set her back. Barney said, "I'll take you, Lucie."
"The devil you will," said Joshua, picking her up. Barney looked
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at his bearded face, and the slight figure of Lucie in his arms. "She's my gal, Barney," Joshua said, carrying her toward Barney's boat, and wading out into the water to set her in the sternsheets as Barney climbed in from the other side. Joshua kept his arms around her; he leaned close. "Don't marry George," he whispered. "How about waiting for me?"
"I love you, Joshua," she said. "Take care."
"Don't forget what I told you about my agent in Martinique." 1 won t.
"Take care of her, Barney." He stepped away.
"I'll keep her safe," Barney said.
The boat was shoved off. Joshua waved. "Goodbye," he called. He heard her call back. She looked so little sitting there with Barney. Wolf, Barney's coxswain, jumped in last, and the oars dipped and rose. The boat pulled from shore,
Joshua stood at the water's edge. He watched the boat. It reached the "Athena" without incident, but it was too far to see figures mount the ladder to her decks. Alongside of him de Bouille watched, too. The last men were leaving, calling goodbye in low voices, touched a bit with awe, for they knew what the two men must be staying for. Macgregor came over for a last word.
"I'll be thinking of you, lads," he said, and held out his hand. Joshua took it and grasped it hard. De Bouille did the same. Then Macgregor jumped in the last boat. He waved as it pulled away, humping over the first line of breakers and bouncing down the other side of the wave in a splash plain to see. The spray flew up.
Joshua turned then from the sea. The big chest lay on the lonely beach. The tide was coming in faster now; he knew soon it would reach the big rock. De Bouille said, "While you put Lucie in the boat, Barney told me a last instruction."
"Yes?" asked Joshua, since de Bouille had paused.
"If one of us is caught, the other is not to go to his aid. Someone must be left to tell the news, and besides it would be useless gallantry." De Bouille paused again. "Those were his exact words. Then he said, 'For you are but two.' "
Joshua said, "I see." He regarded de Bouille for a long moment. "It makes sense." He went over to the chest and put his hand on the sturdy handle. "Let's get this up to the cave and unpacked. I'm starving."
PART FOUR
Chapter 34
THE ROPE DANGLED. IT WAS LOOPED AROUND THE STONE, AND THE knot looked to Douglass like a figure eight from which it fell all the way to the beach. Had it been five months since she had first come out in the morning and seen it hanging there?
She sat down on the chaise longue. It was two o'clock and the sun did not yet strike with dazzling blindness this small stone balcony. This was her favorite spot. The sea sparkled endlessly; Saba with its collar surf beckoned; the rope swayed and trembled in the wind.
It had been a message from him, she knew. Every day for a month after she had found it, she leaned way over to look at the dangling end, to see if there were something tied to it—a note, any kind of a message but this silent one. She heard Esther coming through the bedroom.
Esther said, "Admiral Hood, madam."
Douglass said, "I am sorry. I want to see no one, Esther." She turned back to the sea again.
There was silence again. She leaned back on the chaise. Then she heard a man's footsteps, coming across the bedroom. She stood quickly. She regarded the intruder's figure.
"You shouldn't, Samuel," she said. She backed away. "You intrude!"
Hood made a gesture, took her hand. "I had to see you," he said. He looked at her, and then around the balcony. "Sit down, Douglass," he said. "Please."