Chapter VI.
It was very fortunate for the well-disposed few, as well as for the disaffected majority of the crew, that the Pinta was commanded by so able a sailor and so cool-headed a man as Martin Alonzo Pinzon.
Many another man at such a time would have been utterly at a loss what to do; but Martin Alonzo acted with a promptness that gave the impression that he had been prepared for this very emergency.
He did not merely issue his orders in quick and precise terms, but bore a hand in the execution of the more pressing duties, and so animated the terrified sailors that they took heart to act briskly and in sympathy with his efforts. Drags were hurriedly prepared and thrown over, and after a time of doubt and fearful anxiety the little vessel swung around and brought her head up to the wind.
There was no hope of any assistance from the other vessels during such a high wind and rough sea; but Martin Alonzo had the distress signal run up as soon as he had secured the safety of the Pinta, in order partly to explain why he did not continue on his course, and also to prevent the companion vessels from leaving him.
Providentially—it seemed as if Providence interfered more than once in behalf of this daring enterprise—providentially the wind began to abate a great deal of its violence at this time; and although the waves continued to run very high, they were less dangerous by reason of no longer curling and breaking.
It still remained a hazardous thing to get over the vessel’s side to examine the steering-gear and rudder; but Martin Alonzo had such courage and such confidence in his strength that he performed that office himself. He tied a stout line about his body and slipped it up under his armpits, and then, commending himself to the care of his brother, climbed over the rail.
Diego knew that it was inevitable that so shrewd a seaman as his cousin must discover that the gear had been tampered with, and when Martin Alonzo disappeared over the side he looked around to note the effect on the conspirators. Many of the sailors looked frightened, but on the faces of Miguel and Juan especially he could see a desperate, hunted expression, as if they believed that their crime would certainly be fastened on them.