The Angel's Command

Suddenly

they heard the captain's joyful shout, and it worked like a charm. Everything became hustle and bustle as the crew

broke off to attend to their duties. Anaconda began singing in a deep, melodious voice.

'Haul away for the islands, mates,

That's the place to be.

Way haul away!

There's fish swim in the bay, me boys,

An' fruit on every tree.

Way haul away!

The livin's good, an' easy there,

So sunny an' so free.

A shady place to rest your head,

We'll anchor in the lee.

To me way, haul away!

Oh haul away, do,

All hands turn out an' hear me shout...

Away boat's crew!'

Ned, standing alongside the giant steersman, threw back his head and bayed. Ben laughed as he exchanged a thought

with the Labrador. 'You'll have to learn the words, Ned!'

The dog sniffed and gave him a dignified glance. 'Does a fiddler, a drummer or a guitar player have to know the

words? Ignorant boy, can't you see I'm providing a wonderful accompaniment to our friend here!'

With the westering sun crimsoning her sails from astern, La Petite Marie nosed into Guayama, a cove on the

southeastern coast of Puerto Rico. They dropped anchor outside the shallows, where she would not be left high and dry

on sandbanks by an ebbing tide. Captain Thuron ordered Pierre to lower the ship's jolly boat. It was a small craft and

would have to make the journey to shore four times.

Knowing that the bosun was loyal to him, the captain chose him to make the first trip. 'Pierre, you and Anaconda will

take the first lot. Ben, you and Ned, go second; Ludon, you're third. I'll make the last trip ashore. Anaconda, stay

aboard the jolly boat and make the return journey each time. Leave your muskets aboard, everybody, cutlasses too.

Take only your knives. We don't want to show weapons—folk on the island might take it as an unfriendly gesture.

Give the order, Anaconda!'

Any protests about leaving guns and swords aboard were forgotten. The men felt their spirits rise as the giant black

steersman roared through cupped hands, 'Away boat's crew!'

When Ben's turn came to go ashore, he seated himself in the prow of the little boat and sent a plea to Ned, who was

standing next to him. 'Keep that tail still or you'll beat me to death before I can put a foot on firm ground!'

Ned flopped his head from side to side, answering, 'Sorry but it's impossible, we dogs have naturally wagging tails. I'd

feel miserable keeping my beautiful tail still.'

Pierre was waiting on shore with the first group, who had already gathered wood and lit a fire on the palm- fringed

beach. The loyal bosun called Ned and Ben to his side, where they stood slightly out of hearing of the other crewmen.

Pierre kept his voice low. 'Our fire can be seen from the Marie. 'Twill be night shortly, the men won't go wandering

off in the dark.'

Sounds of the tropical forest rang out behind them, strange noises of unidentifiable birds, beasts and reptiles, either

hunting or being hunted.

Ben drew closer to the firelight. 'Have you found water yet?'

Pierre shook his head. 'Tomorrow maybe. Here, have a coconut. There's plenty about under the palms.' He cut

through the thick, fibrous husk, revealing a good-sized nut. Piercing it with his knife, the bosun gave it to the boy. Ben

sucked the clear, sweet milk down. It tasted delicious.

Ned's paw tapped him on the leg. 'D'you fancy sharing that?'

Ben hugged the Labrador briefly. 'Sorry, Ned, I'll get you one of your own right away.'

By the time Captain Thuron came ashore, all hands were dozing around the fire. He joined Pierre, Ned and Ben, who

were drinking coconut milk and munching away at the white nut, and explained his plans in a low voice: 'I've noticed

that already three hands have deserted since we made landfall here. Ludon, Grest and Ricaud. They're hiding out

somewhere inland by now. Anaconda has taken the jolly boat back to the Marie for the night—that way they won't get

any ideas about taking over the ship. He'll row back to shore in the morning. Pierre, you'll take the boat back then and

stand guard aboard the Marie during the day. We'll relieve you from time to time. I've smuggled some muskets and

cutlasses ashore in a sack. If it comes to a mutiny, we'll be ready, though I hope it won't. Ben, you and Ned take first

watch; I'll take over from you. Pierre, you relieve me for the last watch. I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow. I'll

just have to plan things as they come. Now I must get some rest. Stay awake, my lucky Ben, you and Ned keep a

weather eye on all hands.'

Ben sat by the fire, tossing odd pieces of driftwood on the flames to keep it going as he stared into the dark mass of

trees and foliage skirting the beach. He wondered what the morning would bring. Ned lay next to him with a broken

coconut clutched between his forepaws, growling softly as he chewed away the soft white inner part from its hard

wooden shell. Ben listened to his comments.

'Gurr, this is good. Why didn't I try coconut before today? Like a soft bone, but sweet and juicy. Gurr, nice and

crunchy!'

The blue-eyed boy chuckled. 'A coconut-eating dog—now I've seen it all! Do you think you could tear yourself away