Chapter XIV


What happened in the river De la Hacha.


THESE four ships setting sail from Hispaniola, steered for the river De la Hacha, where they were suddenly overtaken with a tedious calm. Being within sight of land becalmed for some days, the Spaniards inhabiting along the coast, who had perceived them to be enemies, had sufficient time to prepare themselves, at least to hide the best of their goods, that, without any care of preserving them, they might be ready to retire, if they proved unable to resist the pirates, by whose frequent attempts on those coasts they had already learned what to do in such cases. There was then in the river a good ship, come from Carthagena to lade with maize, and now almost ready to depart. The men of this ship endeavoured to escape; but, not being able to do it, both they and the vessel fell into their hands. This was a fit purchase for them, being good part of what they came for. Next morning, about break of day, they came with their ships ashore, and landed their men, though the Spaniards made good resistance from a battery they had raised on that side, where, of necessity, they were to land; but they were forced to retire to a village, whither the pirates followed them. Here the Spaniards rallying, fell upon them with great fury, and maintained a strong combat, which lasted till night; but then, perceiving they had lost a great number of men, which was no less on the pirates' side, they retired to secret places in the woods.

Next day the pirates seeing them all fled, and the town left empty of people, they pursued them as far as they could, and overtook a party of Spaniards, whom they made prisoners, and exercised with most cruel torments, to discover their goods. Some were forced, by intolerable tortures, to confess; but others, who would not, were used more barbarously. Thus, in fifteen days that they remained there, they took many prisoners, much plate and movables, with which booty they resolved to return to Hispaniola: yet, not content with what they had got, they dispatched some prisoners into the woods to seek for the rest of the inhabitants, and to demand a ransom for not burning the town. They answered, they had no money nor plate; but if they would be satisfied with a quantity of maize, they would give as much as they could. The pirates accepted this, it being then more useful to them than ready money, and agreed they should pay four thousand hanegs, or bushels of maize. These were brought in three days after, the Spaniards being desirous to rid themselves of that inhuman sort of people. Having laded them on board with the rest of their purchase, they returned to Hispaniola, to give account to their leader, Captain Morgan, of all they had performed.

They had now been absent five weeks on this commission, which long delay occasioned Captain Morgan almost in despair of their return, fearing lest they were fallen in to the hands of the Spaniards; especially considering the place whereto they went could easily be relieved from Carthagena and Santa Maria, if the inhabitants were careful to alarm the country. On the other side, he feared lest they should have made some great fortune in that voyage, and with it have escaped to some other place. But seeing his ships return in greater numbers than they departed, he resumed new courage, this sight causing both in him and his companions infinite joy, especially when they found them full laden with maize, which they much wanted for the maintenance of so many people, from whom they expected great matters under such a commander.

Captain Morgan having divided the said maize, as also the flesh which the hunters brought, among his ships, according to the number of men, he concluded to depart; having viewed beforehand every ship, and observed their being well equipped and clean. Thus he set sail, and stood for Cape Tiburon, where he determined to resolve what enterprise he should take in hand. No sooner were they arrived, but they met some other ships newly come to join them from Jamaica; so that now their fleet consisted of thirty-seven ships, wherein were two thousand fighting men, beside mariners and boys. The admiral hereof was mounted with twenty-two great guns, and six small ones of brass; the rest carried some twenty; some sixteen, some eighteen, and the smallest vessel at least four; besides which, they had great quantities of ammunition and fire-balls, with other inventions of powder.

Captain Morgan having such a number of ships, divided the whole fleet into two squadrons, constituting a vice-admiral, and other officers of the second squadron, distinct from the former. To these he gave letters patent, or commissions to act all manner of hostilities against the Spanish nation, and take of them what ships they could, either abroad at sea, or in the harbours, as if they were open and declared enemies (as he termed it) of the king of England, his pretended master. This done, he called all his captains and other officers together, and caused them to sign some articles of agreement betwixt them, and in the name of all. Herein it was stipulated, that he should have the hundredth part of all that was gotten to himself: that every captain should draw the shares of eight men for the expenses of his ship, besides his own. To the surgeon, beside his pay, two hundred pieces of eight for his chest of medicaments. To every carpenter, above his salary, one hundred pieces of eight. The rewards were settled in this voyage much higher than before: as, for the loss of both legs, fifteen hundred pieces of eight, or fifteen slaves, the choice left to the party, for the loss of both hands, eighteen hundred pieces of eight, or eighteen slaves: for one leg, whether right or left, six hundred pieces of eight, or six slaves: for a hand, as much as for a leg; and for the loss of an eye, one hundred pieces of eight, or one slave. Lastly, to him that in any battle should signalize himself, either by entering first any castle, or taking down the Spanish colours, and setting up the English, they allotted fifty pieces of eight for a reward. All which extraordinary salaries and rewards to be paid out of the first spoil they should take, as every one should occur to be either rewarded or paid.

This contract being signed, Captain Morgan commanded his vice-admirals and captains to put all things in order, to attempt one of these three places; either Carthagena, Panama, or Vera Cruz. But the lot fell on Panama, as the richest of all three; though this city being situate at such a distance from the North Sea as they knew not well the approaches to it, they judged it necessary to go beforehand to the isle of St. Catherine, there to find some persons for guides in this enterprise; for in the garrison there are commonly many banditti and outlaws belonging to Panama and the neighbouring places, who are very expert in the knowledge of that country. But before they proceeded, they published an act through the whole fleet, promising, if they met with any Spanish vessel, the first captain who should take it should have for his reward the tenth part of what should be found in her.

Список иллюстраций

Короли подплава в море червонных валетов. Список иллюстраций

23. Последнее испытание и приговор

Записки «вредителя». Часть II. Тюрьма. 23. Последнее испытание и приговор

После моего бурного допроса следователь вызвал меня ровно через неделю. Сидел он мрачный и злой. — Садитесь. Что же и сегодня будем кричать друг на друга? Я пожал плечами. — Не знаю, какой метод допроса примените вы сегодня. Это зависит не от меня. — Давайте беседовать мирно. «Беседа» заключалась в том, что, не усложняя допроса «техническими деталями», как первый следователь — Барышников, — этот, Германов, все свел к одному — «сознаться». «Сознаться» в собственном вредительстве или «сознаться» в том, что я знал о «вредительстве» Толстого и Щербакова. Он не пытался ловить меня, узнавать о моей работе или разговорах. Он все усилия направил к одному: заставить меня подписать «признание». Допрос он вел без крика и ругани, очевидно, убедившись, что «на бас» меня не возьмешь, но напряжение чувствовалось огромное. Мне было ясно, что он не остановится ни перед какими «мерами воздействия», и только не решил еще, какими именно. Мне казалось, что в «методах дознания» я был теперь достаточно опытен, и неожиданностей для меня быть не может. Вскоре я услышал то, что предугадывал. — Мне придется применить к вам особые меры, если вы не подпишете признание... «Так, — подумал я, — начинается, теперь держись». — Мне придется арестовать вашу жену, и она буде сидеть в тюрьме, пока вы не подпишете чистосердечного признание. Я молчал.

7. В «Рыбпром»

Записки «вредителя». Часть III. Концлагерь. 7. В «Рыбпром»

Первый мой выход на работу в Кеми был особенный. С моим пропуском в канцелярии коменданта Вечеракши вышла какая-то задержка, и когда я получил, наконец, пропуск, партию уже увели в город, поэтому меня отправили на работу одного. Не могу передать того странного чувства, которое я испытывал, идя по улице один, без конвойного за спиной, в первый раз после десяти месяцев тюрьмы. Идти надо было около двух километров. Целых полчаса я мог располагать собой, как хотел. Чтобы острее чувствовать свою «свободу», я шел то быстро, то замедлял шаг, то даже приостанавливался. Я мог это делать по своему желанию, и никто при этом грозно не кричал на меня сзади. С трудом я удерживал себя от желания все время оглядываться назад, чтобы лишний раз убедиться, что никто не следует за мной по пятам. Правда, я шлепал по грязи, среди улицы, так как знал, что в Кеми каждый охранник, который меня встретит на тротуаре, может отправить меня в карцер. Чтобы продлить свою свободную прогулку, я шел медленно и несколько раз переходил с одной стороны улицы на другую. ГПУ ничем не рисковало, выпуская меня без конвоя. Одет я был в арестантское платье, ни провизии, ни денег у меня не было. Не только в самой Кеми, но и на шоссе, ведущем к железнодорожной станции, и на всех прилегающих дорогах, масса охранников ГПУ. Наконец, жена была в их руках, в тюрьме на Шпалерной, сын был тоже в Петербурге. Если бы я бежал, их, несомненно, рассматривали бы как заложников. Шел я по знакомым местам. Мне приходилось и раньше бывать в Кеми во время исследовательских работ на Белом море. Кемь — город только по названию и мало чем отличается от поморских сел. Городских домов в Кеми нет.

8. Дырка в голову

Записки «вредителя». Часть II. Тюрьма. 8. Дырка в голову

Неделю меня не вызывали на допрос. Я не удивлялся, так как в камере вскоре узнал повадки следователей. Основная заповедь советского арестанта — не верь следователю — действительна во всех мелочах. Следователь врет всегда. Если он говорит: «Я вас вызову завтра», значит, он собирается оставить вас в покое; если грозит: «Лишу передачи», значит, об этом и не думает, и т. д. И все же, даже зная это, очень трудно действительно не верить следователю. Арестант, которому сказано, что его вызовут на допрос, невольно его ждет и волнуется. Так для меня прошла неделя монотонной суетной жизни в камере, в которой часы и дни слиты в один поток, и кажется, будто только что началось это сидение, и в то же время, что продолжается бесконечно долго. Наконец, снова раздался голос стража, неверно читающего мою фамилию: — Имя, отчество? Давай! Следователь Барышников сидит с мрачным видом. — Садитесь. Как поживаете? — Ничего. — Давно вас не вызывал. Очень занят. Познакомились с камерой? — Познакомился. — Нашли знакомых? — Нет. — С кем сошлись ближе? — С бандитами. Хорошие ребята — Сокол, Смирнов и другие. Знаете? — А еще с кем? — Больше ни с кем. — Пора бросить ваши увертки и отвечать как следует. Я пожал плечами. — Ваши преступления нам известны... Бросьте ваш независимый вид. Вы — вредитель.

1337 - 1453

С 1337 по 1453 год

Ранний период Поздних Средних веков. Эпоха Столетней войны с 1337 до 1453.

Chapter V

The voyage of the Beagle. Chapter V. Bahia Blanca

Bahia Blanca Geology Numerous gigantic Quadrupeds Recent Extinction Longevity of species Large Animals do not require a luxuriant vegetation Southern Africa Siberian Fossils Two Species of Ostrich Habits of Oven-bird Armadilloes Venomous Snake, Toad, Lizard Hybernation of Animal Habits of Sea-Pen Indian Wars and Massacres Arrow-head, antiquarian Relic The Beagle arrived here on the 24th of August, and a week afterwards sailed for the Plata. With Captain Fitz Roy's consent I was left behind, to travel by land to Buenos Ayres. I will here add some observations, which were made during this visit and on a previous occasion, when the Beagle was employed in surveying the harbour. The plain, at the distance of a few miles from the coast, belongs to the great Pampean formation, which consists in part of a reddish clay, and in part of a highly calcareous marly rock. Nearer the coast there are some plains formed from the wreck of the upper plain, and from mud, gravel, and sand thrown up by the sea during the slow elevation of the land, of which elevation we have evidence in upraised beds of recent shells, and in rounded pebbles of pumice scattered over the country. At Punta Alta we have a section of one of these later-formed little plains, which is highly interesting from the number and extraordinary character of the remains of gigantic land-animals embedded in it. These have been fully described by Professor Owen, in the Zoology of the voyage of the Beagle, and are deposited in the College of Surgeons.

Chapter VIII

The pirates of Panama or The buccaneers of America : Chapter VIII

Lolonois makes new preparations to make the city of St. James de Leon; as also that of Nicaragua; where he miserably perishes. LOLONOIS had got great repute at Tortuga by this last voyage, because he brought home such considerable profit; and now he need take no great care to gather men to serve under him, more coming in voluntarily than he could employ; every one reposing such confidence in his conduct that they judged it very safe to expose themselves, in his company, to the greatest dangers. He resolved therefore a second voyage to the parts of Nicaragua, to pillage there as many towns as he could. Having published his new preparations, he had all his men together at the time, being about seven hundred. Of these he put three hundred aboard the ship he took at Maracaibo, and the rest in five other vessels of lesser burthen; so that they were in all six ships. The first port they went to was Bayaha in Hispaniola, to victual the fleet, and take in provisions; which done, they steered their course to a port called Matamana, on the south side of Cuba, intending to take here all the canoes they could; these coasts being frequented by the fishers of tortoises, who carry them hence to the Havannah. They took as many of them, to the great grief of those miserable people, as they thought necessary; for they had great use for these small bottoms, by reason the port they designed for had not depth enough for ships of any burthen. Hence they took their course towards the cape Gracias à Dios on the continent, in latitude 15 deg. north, one hundred leagues from the Island de los Pinos.

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1550 - 1200 BC

From 1550 to 1200 BC

Late Bronze Age. From the New Kingdom of Egypt establishment in c. 1550 BC to the Late Bronze Age collapse between 1200 and 1150 BC.

Chapter IV

The pirates of Panama or The buccaneers of America : Chapter IV

Original of the most famous pirates of the coasts of America Famous exploit of Pierre le Grand. I HAVE told you in the preceding chapters how I was compelled to adventure my life among the pirates of America; which sort of men I name so, because they are not authorized by any sovereign prince: for the kings of Spain having on several occasions sent their ambassadors to the kings of England and France, to complain of the molestations and troubles those pirates often caused on the coasts of America, even in the calm of peace; it hath always been answered, "that such men did not commit those acts of hostility and piracy as subjects to their majesties; and therefore his Catholic Majesty might proceed against them as he should think fit." The king of France added, "that he had no fortress nor castle upon Hispaniola, neither did he receive a farthing of tribute from thence." And the king of England adjoined, "that he had never given any commissions to those of Jamaica, to commit hostilities against the subjects of his Catholic Majesty." Nor did he only give this bare answer, but out of his royal desire to pleasure the court of Spain, recalled the governor of Jamaica, placing another in his room; all which could not prevent these pirates from acting as heretofore. But before I relate their bold actions, I shall say something of their rise and exercises; as also of the chiefest of them, and their manner of arming themselves before they put to sea. The first pirate that was known upon Tortuga was Pierre le Grand, or Peter the Great. He was born at Dieppe in Normandy.

7. «Ком-баре»

Записки «вредителя». Часть I. Время террора. 7. «Ком-баре»

К этим начальническим фигурам примыкали коммунисты и комсомольцы, занимавшие меньшие должности. Большинство их были на так называемой «общественной» работе как члены месткомов, фабкомов и прочих полагающихся комитетов; они же заполняли канцелярию и сидели у теплых мест — в кооперативе, складах, отделе снабжения. На производстве бывали единицы, но в таком случае при них неизменно находился беспартийный заместитель, несущий ответственность. В море они не работали как большевики, не стремились коммунизировать состав капитанов. Если какого-нибудь коммуниста и заставляли поступить на траулер, он оттуда сбегал при первой возможности. Все эти люди были пришлые, многие с уголовной практикой, которую они не всегда забывали, а иногда и успешно применяли в тресте. Они критиковали работу других совершенно ее не зная, занимались изданием «стенгазеты» и писанием в ней пасквилей, «проведением очередных кампаний по займам, политграмоте, текущей политике», но реальной работы не делали.

III. Бегство

Побег из ГУЛАГа. Часть 3. III. Бегство

Накануне целый день был дождь. Горы были закрыты низкими густыми тучами. — Если завтра не уйдем, — мрачно сказал муж, — надо просить о продлении свидания. В этом, наверное, откажут, но пока придет телеграмма, нужно воспользоваться первым сухим днем и бежать. Завтра день отдыха, я могу не выходить на работу, и меня не хватятся до следующего дня. Но в такой дождь идти трудно. Он ушел на пункт и увел с собой сына. Я в десятый раз пересмотрела все вещи. Самое необходимое не укладывалось в три рюкзака, из которых два должны были быть легкими. Сахар, сало, рис, немного сухарей; считали, что идти не менее десяти дней, а нас трое. Необходимо было взять хотя бы по одной перемене белья и по непромокаемому пальто. Нет, ничего у меня не получалось. Вечером ветер переменился, и все в деревне стали собираться наутро в поход. Муж вернулся с работы, и, когда мальчик уснул, мы принялись опять все пересматривать. — Портянки запасные нужны для всех. Разорвала две простыни, накроила портянок, — рюкзаки еще больше разбухли. — Надо убавлять что-нибудь, — говорит муж. — Сахар? — Нет, сахар — это самое существенное. Соли достаточно? — Вот соль.