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.Well, he could do that, no doubt.But the truth of the matter was he wanted them to come.He wanted them at his side when he saw Hilltop again, for the first time in sixteen years.And he wanted Suzanne there when he confronted Tony.Because he did not wish to fight his brother? Or because, when it came down to it, he was still afraid of him?He had not known doubts such as these for sixteen years.'Ready, Mr Hilton.' Harris was already up on the top of the coach, with Barker.'Aye, ready.' Dick closed the door.'I anticipate no trouble, Mama, Cartarette.But should there be, you'll remain close.'Suzanne stroked her pistol.'Oh, aye, Dick.My God, I feel a girl again.Indeed I do.'It occurred to him that she would welcome trouble.He sighed, and climbed on to the box beside Melchior, the Governor's coachman.'Let's go.'The whip cracked, and the equipage rolled out of the courtyard.Colonel Barraclough raised his arm, and the troop of cavalry followed.The town remained quiet, and asleep; there were no lights in any of the houses.Although at least one began to glimmer as the cavalcade rumbled up Harbour Street.Whatever Belmore elected to do, Dick realized the news would be widespread by breakfast.But perhaps by then the business would have been settled, one way or the other.The houses thinned, the road divided.The carriage turned right, along that so well remembered route.The cavalry rode left, for the sea coast and the plantations to the west.Now the darkness was turning to grey.They should be at Hilltop by noon.How memory clouded back.The first time he had ridden this way had been with Josh.Twenty years ago.How excited he had been.How uncertain he had been.And how confused he had been.Now? He found it difficult to decide on his emotions.His heart pounded pleasantly at the thought of seeing Hilltop again.Remarkably, he felt no elation at having won his court case.He had never supposed he would lose it, even when it had seemed that he would not be able to secure a witness, of any description.Even more remarkably, he once again felt no animosity towards Tony, who had only tried to be a Hilton.Save for Josh.Were Josh harmed., but Tony would not dare harm him.The sun rose, with West Indian suddenness.Wisps of mist still clung to the hillside, and the grass remained damp.But not for long.The heat became instant, and Cartarette was banging on the roof.'Will you take breakfast?'Melchior pulled the horses to a halt, and they got down to stretch their legs.The road had already risen by over a hundred feet; the hills climbed to their right, the land sloped away in thick woods to their left.Kingston had disappeared, although they would see it from time to time as they climbed the hills, he remembered.The morning was quiet, now the drumming of the hooves had ceased.'My God, how long it seems.' Suzanne also stepped down.'How long it is.'Cartarette spread her cloth on the folding table Melchior had erected.Harris was opening the wine.A picnic, on a Jamaican morning.'We have a pie here,' Cartarette said.'And some good bread.At least, they say it is good bread.' She sniffed a slice.'Why cannot the English make bread, Mother?''The French make good bread,' Suzanne explained, 'because they lack the potato.'Dick sipped a glass of wine.Incredible, that perhaps only thirty miles away a plantation was in flames.He saw Cartarette's frown, and hastily smiled.'You anticipate,' she said.'Pie, Mr Harris? If it comes to blows you'll do better on a full stomach.''Blows, Mistress Hilton?' Harris held out his plate.'Why, I do not think that will happen.' But then he frowned, and gazed at Dick.Who slowly lowered his glass.The sound of the conches was unmistakable, eerily wailing through the valleys.Suzanne was filling her plate, calmly.'How far away is that noise?''I have no idea,' Dick confessed.‘Not far, sir,' Melchior said.'Maybe five miles.Is the hills make it echo.''Five miles.You'll take some wine, Melchior.''That is kind of you, sir.' He held up his glass.'But what is that?'They faced the path, listening to the drumming hooves.'Can't be slaves,' Barker said.'They'd never ride.'Dust clouded into the morning air, rising almost like smoke, and the riders pulled their horses back.Three white men, armed and anxious.'A picnic, by God,' cried their leader.'James Hardy.' Dick stepped forward right, hand resting on the butt of the pistol in his belt.'Why have you left the plantation?'Hardy peered at him, and some of the colour faded from his cheeks.He had filled out with age, but still wore his moustaches, and still neglected to shave with any regularity.'The monster.'Dick merely smiled at him.'I asked you a question.''They say the country is in arms,' said one of the men behind.'There is your reason to stay with the estate, not desert it,' Suzanne said.'Where is my son?''Your son?' Hardy frowned at her.'Well, well, he spoke of you, to be sure.Your son has gone to Orange Lodge.''Orange Lodge?''Tony has abandoned Hilltop?' Dick demanded.'What, stay and fight for a plantation which is no longer his?' Hardy inquired.'There is no sense.' 'But what of my slaves?''I know nothing of them,' Hardy said.'They have not yet joined the revolt, if that is what you mean.But we held no field conference this morning.They are still in their village so far as I know.''My God,' Suzanne said.'Just to ride away, and leave them.is that not an invitation to violence?'Hardy shrugged.'You must ask your son that, Mrs Hilton.''What of the firearm store?' Dick asked.'We took sufficient for our own defence.''And left the rest? Muskets, with powder and ball?''We were in haste.It was Mr Hilton's decision.He took our people across to Orange Lodge, where Mr Tresling will defend himself, and sent us into town for the military.''The military are already out,' Dick said.'And we are now on our way to Hilltop.You'll accompany us.''Us?' Hardy cried.'It is your plantation.''Are you offering us employment, Mr Hilton?' asked a voice behind.‘I am giving you a chance to prove that you are worthy of employment,' Dick said.'Supposing you still have a plantation,' the third man muttered.'I will have a plantation,' Dick said.'Whether I have to regain it by force or not.''Aye, well, you're welcome to it,' Hardy said [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]