'Yes, my lord.' A loathing of dissimulation made him unfit for the role of intelligence, Renzi knew, but there was little he could do to avoid this duty.
'It may happen that I am able to reach England - Deo volente - but if not, then I do require that you make known your intelligence to Mr Congalton at the Foreign Office by any means you can contrive.'
'I will.'
He coughed once and lay back. 'Every day lost racks at my soul. What are our chances of an early return to civilisation, do you think?'
'Sir, this is something for Captain Kernon to disclose, but I should not be hopeful of a speedy resolution.'
Stanhope groaned, whether in frustration or pain it was difficult to know. 'Nevertheless, do you please attend. Now, the essence of this Spanish plot is .. .'
Satisfied with his immediate steps in the situation, Kernon strode across the clearing to Lord Stanhope's shelter, to see Renzi emerging. 'Is Lord Stanhope at liberty to see me?' he asked.
'I do believe he will be more than happy to do so, sir,' said Renzi, 'but you will be aware that he is considerably out of countenance owing to his indisposition.'
Kernon entered, removing his hat. 'Sir, do you wish a report on our situation?'
'Thank you.'
'I have good news,' Kernon began. 'We have found two springs of water and there are goats on the island. We shall neither starve nor suffer want of water. In large, this amounts to an inconvenience only, my lord.'
'But our chances of rescue, Captain?'
'Equally good, I'm happy to say. The master believes us to be somewhere in the south-western Caribbean. This means that we are on the sailing route taken by the logwood traders of Campeche and also the hide droghers of Honduras. It is only a matter of time before we are sighted and Port Royal alerted of our plight. In any event at this moment I have no doubt they are combing the seas for you. Our vessel is unharmed and we have only to wait'
Tor how long, sir?'
Kernon considered. 'I am confident that within a very few weeks we shall be found — a month or two at the most.'
'Damnation!' The vigour of his response brought a flinch at the pain. 'Captain, I have every reason to desire an early return, you must believe. Can we not use the boat?'
Kernon looked shocked. 'I do not recommend such a course of action at all, my lord. The hazards are many, and here we may comfortably await our rescue without risk.'
'What hazards?'
'Why, sir, where would we go without we know where we are? If we sail north in the expectation that Jamaica is there and miss it, we face a hard trip to Cuba. If to the north-east we may fetch up against San Domingo and a French prison—'
'Yes, yes, but it is possible?'
'But most inadvisable.'
'Captain Kernon, I want you to understand that I must make the attempt.' 'My lord—'
'Prepare the boat, sir, I will not be denied.' 'If you insist.' 'I do.'
'You will need seamen to navigate. I shall myself command—'
'You must remain with your ship. And so must your only other officer. Is there no other who can figure a course?' The effort was draining his strength, he grew pale.
