“I am delighted to welcome Mr. Commander and his charming girlfriend on board my ship,” Captain Brits saluted, “We're leaving five minutes later.” My guys finish the final preparations. Please aboard.

Giving mooring, the yacht smoothly rolled off from the pier and headed along the wind. Dana, standing at the side, watched as greenish water circled the hull, reflecting on the sun glare. The brackish sea air slightly intoxicated her, and the girl, fumbling next to her, took Chris by the hand.

- How beautiful and calm! - She exclaimed, looking at North, - How much I swam, but I never noticed this beauty.

“This sea greets you,” the commander said meaningfully. “It greeted me with a storm and wind.” But then we became friends.

The captain's loud crew rang out, and wide panels of sails opened up over the deck, which immediately took in all the pressure of the wind. The yacht slid smoothly along the water surface, increasing speed. Soon the shore became visible as a narrow black stripe, and then completely disappeared over the horizon.

Some of the sailors, free from the watch, perched on the cable box, played on a bizarre instrument, resembling a tambourine with a narrow small plate attached to it, on which the wires were pulled. The sound was a bit harsh, but beautiful. The guy apparently had a good ear and a strong voice.

He was tall and broad-shouldered. His skin was much darker than the rest of the sailors and gave a reddish tint. Long black curly hair was knocked out from under his hat and fell on his shoulders. Narrow black eyes looked at the girl without anger.

He sang a slow, somewhat mournful song in an unfamiliar language of Dana. But this girl liked the song. She sat down closer to the sailor and began to listen. Having finished singing, the guy smiled.

- What is this song? - asked the girl, - I have not heard this before.

- This song is about unhappy love, - explained the young man, - Therefore, and so sad.

- Hey, Muno! - one of the sailors called him, - Do not make melancholy! Sing something fun, and then the girl is now crying from your unrequited love!

The guy hit the strings and quickly began to touch fingers. A merry melody flowed, and several sailors set off into a whimsical dance, making their feet unimaginable pirouettes. Others, standing in a semicircle, began to clap their hands in time with the melody. Dana, watching the movements, without hesitation, joined the dancers and soon she herself danced an intricate dance, laughing at the same time as a little girl.

The heels of her boots beat off a cheerful shot to the beat of the spectators' pops, and the ends of the scarf curled in the wind just as easily as their hostess was light and flexible.

“You are beautifully dancing, madam!” The elderly sailor exclaimed when the dance was over.

“Thank you,” Dana, puffing herself, was fingering her face with her palm, “Only I am not the lady, but the slave of Mr. Commander.”

She raised her collar with her finger. The sailor leaned over and slowly read the inscription.

“There are no slaves on my ship,” came the voice of the captain.

The sailors parted. Brits stood at a distance and, of course, saw the girl having fun. He gently took Dana's arm and said that Mr. Commander asked to show her the ship, if the girl, of course, wants. And after the tour they will go down to the saloon, where by that time soft drinks and snacks will be prepared.

Under the admiring cheers of the sailors, the captain took the girl to the stern.

“This,” he said, “is the most important place of any ship.” From here, the necessary orders are given to the crew, from here they are driving the ship.

They approached the steering wheel, behind which stood a tall sailor with red hair and a thick beard.Two hands grasping the steering wheel, he carefully looked ahead, sometimes squinting at the compass, located directly in front of the tiller.

- Want to try? - suddenly asked Brits.

- Can i? - the girl was amazed, - I never drove the court. Just saw.

- Dean! - turned the captain to the helmsman, - Move over.

The red-haired sailor stepped aside, giving way to Dana. The girl put her little hands on the handlebars and suddenly felt the wheel start to turn. At the same time, the compass needle also climbed to the side.

“Keep heading, ten thousand octopuses!” The captain shouted jokingly, helping the slave level the ship.

- Yes, captain! - having accepted this game, Dana answered, - I am only afraid that I do not have enough strength.

“And you are not in a hurry,” advised Brits, “Even experienced sailors find it difficult to control the ship.

After standing at the helm for another ten minutes, Dana handed over control to the red sailor, and accompanied by the captain went to inspect the rigging and the rest of the ship economy. Brits enthusiastically talked about sails, masts, ropes and other devices, not losing the opportunity to tell a charming guest some story from sea tales.

Noticing that the girl was a little tired of the walk and his chatter, the captain suggested that Dana go downstairs. The cabin of the company was a spacious bright room with three round windows. In the middle, there was an oval table made of expensive types of wood, on which a young sailor set up glasses, carefully taking them out of the buffet and rubbing them with a towel thrown over his shoulder.

In the corner on the couch was already sitting commander and flipped through a weighty book in morocco. Seeing the girl and the captain, Chris set aside the old volume and rose from his seat.

- Well, as a walk? North asked, setting the slave in an easy chair.

- Thank you, Mr! - the girl smiled, - Everything is so interesting! Mr. Captain told me such stories! I even stood for a while at the helm of the ship!

- Wonderful! - approved the commander, - And how do you feel?

“A little tired, master,” Dana replied, embarrassed.

- Nothing, now you eat, you drink and lie down to rest. Mr. Brits, will it be possible?

- At your service a cabin is prepared on the port side, - the captain said, - You can use it. Terry, come out with me for a minute.

The young sailor threw a contemptuous glance at the black woman and lazily slouched for Brits.

“What is it, Terence?” - asked the captain, when they were in the corridor, - I saw how you looked at this girl!

- Feed the sharks me - proudly answered the sailor, - But I can not understand why you're both so grovel before this nigger wench.

“If you don’t be kind to this, like you said girl, you bastard,” whispered Brits, grabbing the guy by the ear, “I’ll really throw you overboard and don’t see that your father is in the magistrate.” At home, do what you want, and here I set the rules. And consider that this swimming is your last! Do you understand me, morel? And now - get out of here and call Irwin. Run, brat!

A full man in a white cap with a huge tray in his hands entered the cabin. Putting treats in the very middle of the table, Kok, wielding a large knife and a no less solid fork, began to lay slices of pate, boiled meat, fruit and greens on slices. He put the first plate in front of Dana, smiling at her sweetly and wishing her a pleasant appetite. Then he served the commander, and only for this he set about his captain.

- Would you like something else? - Kok asked with a soft bass, referring mainly to the girl, - just tell me, and I will do everything.

- Oh no, thanks! Dana exclaimed, inhaling the aroma of freshly prepared food.

“Thank you, Irwin,” the captain replied, releasing the fat man. “I think that would be enough.”

With a restrained bow, the cook went out of the cabin.

- What do you pour, madam? - Brits turned to the girl, - I dare to offer this fine wine. He was brought to me on occasion from Jamaica.

“Oh, sir, captain,” Dana replied uncertainly, “I haven't drunk wine for a long time.” And my lord may be displeased .... Read more →