“About what?”
“Is that a cave?” I say, turning. “That appears to be an opening there. We ought to check it out. You’ll need a place to store any items we rescue from the ship.”
“What did you say about me?”
I head to the opening. “It looks like a cave. Come, take a closer look.”
“You will not tell me, will you?”
“Will you tell me?”
“Fine.” He stops, arms folded. “Here is part of a poem I recited, by Pierre de Ronsard, translated as best I am able.”
My lady woke upon a morning fair,
What time Apollo’s chariot takes the skies,
And, fain to fill with arrows from her eyes
His empty quiver, Love was standing there:
I saw two apples that her breast doth bear
None such the close of the Hesperides
Yields; nor hath Venus any such as these...
He glances over. “Now yours?”
“I said your arse is spectacular.”
He sputters. “I see... While I do appreciate the sentiment, I believe mine was somewhat more romantic.”
“I was complimenting your posterior. You were complimenting my breasts. I do not believe you occupy the higher moral ground here, sir. Now, on to the cave.”
“Are you asking me to explore your cave, crécerelle?”
“Perhaps later. Unless you continue to annoy me with French poetry.”
“Annoy you? I am wooing you. Wait. Did you say yes to my indecent offer? I believe you did.”
“No, I saidperhaps, the likelihood of which is dropping with each moment you delay. Understood?”
“Oui, mademoiselle. I also understand that you said that cave exploration is a delight that may well exist in my near future. It is a decision you will not regret.”
“Do you have that letter of recommendation yet? No? Then stop talking and get moving.”
17
The cave is perfect for storage, being high enough from the high tide mark, with an easier walk up than his hideaway. With that, Nicolas does set aside the teasing, and he gets to work. We find two more small caves before reaching the ship. Then it is on to theTemerityherself, and not a moment too soon. The rocks have torn through her side, and she is listing and taking on water, having crashed into jagged boulders twenty feet from shore. That means we must venture into the water to get to her and then take great care unloading her most valuable cargo.
Nicolas asks me to wait on shore, and I do not wish to agree, but this is the practical solution. He wades to the boat, swimming if necessary, and then rigs up a rope to send goods down to me on the beach, where I can collect them. There is little point in both of us making our way onto a badly damaged ship, especially when only one of us knows our way around it.
The only reason for me to go onboard would be to speak to Andrés, but the boy can still communicate with me—as best he can communicate—by gestures from the ship. I have little else to ask him at this point. He confirms that he seems unable to leave the ship, which is concerning but not unexpected. I assure him we will find him, even if the wreckage is removed. Given how slowly they have tended to the ship thus far, I doubt anyone will be towing it soon. The true issue will be scavengers, and we are doing what we can to minimize that loss.
It is a slow process. Some of the items cannot be transported on our makeshift pulley line, and Nicolas must bring them out by hand. Fortunately, he has found a path that allows him to do so by wading up to his waist, the objects held over his head. He brings various imported goods, such as spices and textiles, and some local ones. And he brings rum. All of the rum.
When we have finished, I insist he warm himself by a fire. Then we divvy up the “treasure” between the three caves and hide the entrances. We consider taking refuge in one ourselves, but if anyone comes to raid the ship, we do not want to give away the location of the goods with smoke or sound.