The Angel's Command

smiling down on him. What a tale would be told around the taverns and fashionable

coffeehouses of London! Redjack Teal arriving home with a fine Spanish galleon and two

others in tow, carrying with him a fortune in gold coin, the weight of a man!

He would become a legend in his own lifetime.

Morning sunlight glittered over the ocean as La Petite Marie weighed anchor and sailed.

Raphael Thuron stood at the wheel, grinning at the antics of Ben, who, with his dog's

assistance, was taking a turn at steering the vessel.

The Frenchman encouraged his lucky friends. 'Hold her steady, that's the way! Now take her

a point east. Not too far, Ben! Watch Ned, he's got the hang of it!'

The black Labrador stood on his hind legs, both forepaws resting on the wheel, chiding Ben.

'You heard the cap'n—hold her steady, mate, like I'm doing. If I weren't going t'be a cap'n

one day, I think I'd make a first-class steersdog!'

Ben tried to keep from laughing as he steadied the wheel. 'Sorry, Ned, I can't help it if I'm

only a clumsy human!'

Mallon and another buccaneer named Corday were hauling up pails of seawater and swilling

the midships decks. Hearing Thuron's laughter, they turned to watch the boy and his dog at the

wheel. Mallon shook his head. 'Just look at that, mate. It ain't right. I never heard of a lad an'

a hound at the wheel of a ship, have you?'

Corday lowered his voice. 'I'm beginnin' to think there's some truth in what Gascon's been

saying.'

Mallon eyed his shipmate. 'Tell me.'

Corday emptied his pail, watching the water run off through the scuppers. 'Gascon says those

two are Jonahs, an' bad luck to all hands aboard. He says that—'

Pierre's hand descended hard on Corday's shoulder. 'Who says what? Come on, man, spit it

out!'

Both Mallon and Corday went silent. Pierre folded his brawny arms, staring sternly at them.

'Only fools listen to the scuttlebutt of a thief an' a deserter. Better not let the cap'n hear you

say a word agin Ben an' his dog. Now get on with your work an' stop tittle-tattlin'. If ye've got

anythin' bad to say about anybody, then say it about me. But say it to my face!'

The loyal Pierre strode off, leaving the subdued pair to continue their chore in silence.

Ben and Ned were still having fun at the wheel when Pierre called the captain to one side and

whispered in his ear, 'I think 'twould be a good idea if you or I steered the Marie, Cap'n.

Either that or let the crew take their turn at the helm.'

Thuron raised his eyebrows quizzically. 'What? Don't ye like my lucky friends guiding our

vessel? Look at them, Pierre, those two will be as good as Anaconda was someday. What's the

matter with ye, man?'

The bosun of the Marie averted his eyes. 'There's a bit o' talk goin' around, Cap'n. Some of

the crew don't like it.'

Any good humour the Frenchman felt suddenly evaporated. 'They don't like it, eh? Then

they'll just have to endure it. I'm master aboard the Marie, and 'tis I who gives the orders! But

what don't they like, Pierre? What's all the talk about?'

Pierre shifted his feet awkwardly. 'I know it sounds foolish, Cap'n, but the rumour is that Ben

and Ned are a pair of Jonahs—bad luck to all hands.'

Thuron immediately relieved his two friends at the helm, taking the wheel himself. 'That's

enough for one day, mates. Go to the cabin and tidy my charts away, will ye ? We need to

look shipshape for our homecoming to France.'

Ben saluted smartly. 'Aye aye, Cap'n. When we've cleaned the cabin up, I'll get you

something to eat from the galley.'

A frown creased Thuron's brow. 'No, don't do that, lad. Stay in the cabin with Ned. Stay away

from the crew for a bit. Don't ask questions, Ben, just do as I say.'

A bewildered glance passed between the boy and his dog, but Ben obeyed without comment.

The Frenchman watched the pair wander off to his cabin. An uneasy feeling crept over him.

Had someone found out about Ben and Ned? It was a worrying problem to contemplate. Most

seamen were not very well educated, but practically all of them were superstitious, particularly

buccaneers. If a crew began believing rumours about having a Jonah aboard, there would be

no question of reasoning with them. No matter how well a captain treated his men, there

would be no stopping them once their superstitions took hold. Both he and his two lucky

friends would be in grave danger.

The black Labrador peered through the partially open cabin door as he communicated with

Ben. 'Here comes the cap'n. I wonder what's wrong. He looks worried.'

The Frenchman entered and sat down on the bed, then beckoned to them both. 'Close that

door. I must speak to you.'

Ned pushed the door shut with his forepaws. Ben stared anxiously at the captain. 'What's the

matter, sir?'

Thuron spoke earnestly. 'What you told me, Ben, about your past life. Have you repeated

anything to the crew?'

Ben shook his head vigorously. 'No sir, not even to Pierre. I wouldn't breathe a word to

anyone, except you!'

The captain sighed heavily. 'I believe you, lad. But the men are talking among themselves.

They say that you and Ned are two Jonahs, bad luck for the Marie and all aboard her.'

Ned connected a thought to Ben. 'I knew it! Didn't I tell you that Gascon would cause trouble

for us?'

Ben turned to Thuron. 'Ned thinks that it's Gascon who's been putting the word about.'

The Frenchman patted the black Labrador's back. 'Aye, and I think he's right. Do ye

remember Gascon shouting out when Pierre was locking him up? He said this ship was

cursed.'

Ben agreed. 'Yes, but he couldn't possibly know about me and Ned. What are we going to do

about it, sir?'

Thuron thought a moment before he answered. 'There's not a great deal we can do. Ben, I

want you and Ned to keep yourselves away from all hands—stay in this cabin. With a bit of

luck things may just die down naturally. We're not too far from France now. Perhaps they'll

forget all this silly talk. With the prospect of seeing home again, and with having some gold in

their pockets, all hands may forget about cursed ships and Jonahs. Will you do that for me,

lad?'

Ben grasped his friend's big strong hand. 'Of course I will, and so will Ned. We won't let you

down, Cap'n!'

Thuron stood up and made for the door. 'Well said, Ben. I knew I could trust you. I'll have

Pierre bring your food from the galley. Remember now, with the exception of Pierre and me,

you must talk to nobody.'

Lying with his chin on the floor, Ned watched the door close. 'Just when I was learning to be

a steersdog!'

Ben scratched behind the dog's ear soothingly. 'Cheer up, mate, we'll be in the Bay of Biscay

by this time tomorrow, and in a day or two more we'll be on dry land.'

Over the next few days, the boy and his dog remained confined within the captain's cabin. It