Vargas laughed. "Si, that is true. If they had guns here, we could never get past. But Jamaica is a poor island. The Passage Fort over on the river has always been able to slow an assault long enough for them to empty the town. Then their women and children are safe. What else do they have worth stealing?"
"Hugh, is this the location you were talking to John about?" Katherine was studying the wide and sandy Point.
"The very place. That's why I had him stay with the Defiance and keep some of the lads."
"I hope he can do it."
"He'll wait till sun-up, till after we take the fort. But this cay is the place to be, mark it."
"You are right, senor," Vargas continued as they steered on around the Point. "I have often wondered myself why there was no port city out here. Perhaps it is because this island has nothing but stupid agricultores. "
Their tiny armada of dugouts glided quickly across the strait, then hugged the shore, headed toward the mouth of the Rio Cobre. Now they were directly under the vigia.
As they rowed past, five figures suddenly emerged from the trees and began wading toward them. Winston immediately signaled the dugouts to put in.
Atiba was grinning as he hoisted himself over the side. "It was simple." He settled among the seamen. "There were only two whoreson Spaniards."
"Where's Serina?" Katherine scanned the empty shoreline. "Did anything happen?"