By the aid of the same machine, that officer perceived when the man-of-war set all her sails, and began her voyage to Trinidad, as he concluded, both from the revelation of the young officer, and the direction in which she was steering. He rejoiced when he observed this, for he was persuaded that, in the event of the man-of-war entering the Gulf of Paria, he would be able triumphantly to rescue his chief. For the thousand bays and creeks which diversify the shore, the distance at which large vessels are obliged to remain on account of the harbour’s shallowness, and the lukewarmness of the inhabitants of the town with regard to pirates, for they have seldom or never been subjected to the ravages of those people, he calculated, would afford him all assistance, while they should, on the contrary, tend to perplex, hinder, and embarrass the enemy.
He immediately ordered a certain quantity of sails to be put on the schooner, and began to follow the man-of-war. He kept always out of sight, and at noon on each day, the sails were lowered, the same machine was erected, and he made his observations on the ship-of-war, which sailed away majestically, its commander little knowing that he was followed by a cunning, vigilant, and determined enemy.
Four hours had not elapsed since the man-of-war had crossed the bocas, before the Black Schooner also passed them, and thus left in the water behind her the person to whose rescue she was going.
Lorenzo kept her head still towards the centre of the gulf, then went about, and, with one tack, gained the headland, behind which the schooner now lay concealed.
In that position, Lorenzo quickly disguised himself, and taking possession of one of the many little vessels that sail along the shore from the Spanish main, went up to Port-of-Spain, and heard the confused intelligence that Appadocca had committed suicide.
His cargo was sold, and he could remain no longer in the harbour for fear of detection, so he resolved upon the plan of taking another fallucha, and of returning to Port-of-Spain as a different captain. He lay in watch for the first vessel which might pass, and destiny willed that the one which he should board should carry Appadocca.
As soon as Appadocca had arrived on board of the schooner, after having bowed to the officer and men, who saluted him, he descended the companion-steps and requested Lorenzo to follow.
They arrived at the Captain’s cabin: and Jack Jimmy, who met Appadocca at the door, stood on tiptoe, threw his head forward, opened his eyes, and was just on the point of venting some exclamation, when Appadocca made a sign to him to be silent. The little man, almost bursting with the internal ebullition of the greeting which he was obliged to restrain, retreated into an angle, and Appadocca passed on.