Eulalia! by Brian Jacques Read Free Book Online Page A

had closed his eyes, trying to gain respite from his suffering in sleep, when the knotted rope struck his back. He wheeled about to see his enemy swinging the rope. This time it struck him on the side of his jaw. Codj snarled at him; standing out of range of Gorath, he continued wielding the rope.
    â€œUp on yore paws, Rock’ead, who sez ya could sleep, eh?”
    Gorath was too sick to do anything about it, he crouched by the mast, covering his head with both paws.
    His tormentor continued to flog at him with the knotted rope. “Gerrup, lazybeast, stan’ up straight when I speaks to ya!”
    Vizka came hurrying up and snatched the rope from Codj. “Leave dat pore beast alone, go ’way!”
    The mate did as he was bidden, leaving them alone. Vizka crouched a safe distance from his captive, and began to speak in a wheedling tone. “Pore Rock’ead, wot ails ya, are y’tired?” Gorath stayed as he was, making no answer. Vizka cocked his head, trying to see the badger’s face. “Are ya sick, is dat it? I gotta good cabin an’ a bunk, all nice’n cosy, ’ow would ya like t’sleep der, eh?” There was still no reaction, though Vizka could see that his prisoner was saturated and shivering. “D’ya wants vittles, we got good food, plenny t’drink, too.” He watched the young badger keenly, for any response. Still getting no answer, the golden fox stood up. “I’m der cap’n ’ere, jus’ tell me wot ya wants an’ I’ll give it to ya. Dat’s a fair offer, eh?”
    Gorath did not even open his eyes to look at the fox.
    Vizka pulled his thick cloak tight about himself. “Cold out ’ere, I’m goin’ to me cabin. But yew ain’t goin’ nowhere, Rock’ead. Sooner or later y’ll speak ter me. Or y’ll die, chained ter dat mast!”
    Vizka did not go to his cabin; instead, he went to the main cabin, on the deck below. Codj was there with some of the vermin crew. He caught the knotted rope that Vizka tossed to him.
    â€œYa wants me ter go an’ flog ’im agin, Cap’n?”
    The crewbeasts made room as their captain sat down at the mess table. “Nah, dat’n’s ’ad enough fer now, leave ’im ’til later.”
    One of the crew, a hulking ferret called Grivel, commented, “Dat stripe’ound’ll die iffen ya flogs ’im too much. Cap’n near killed ’im wid ’is ball’n’chain. Can’t be too far off dead now, if’n ya asks me.”
    Vizka smiled at Grivel. “But I didn’t ask ya, did I?”
    Vizka Longtooth was always at his most dangerous when smiling. Grivel did not fancy a confrontation with his captain, so he fell silent.
    The golden fox rose, staring at him pointedly, almost challenging him to speak. “I’ll decide wot ’appens t’the stripe’ound. Rock’ead’s a young beast, an’ a strong ’un. A bit o’ starvin’ an’ beatin’ won’t do ’im no ’arm. You jus’ watch, I’ll bring ’im round ter my way o’ thinkin’. Same as I’d do wid anybeast, eh, Grivel?”
    The hefty ferret stared down at the tabletop, avoiding his captain’s smiling eyes. “Aye, Cap’n, wotever ya say.”
    Without warning, Vizka dealt Grivel a swinging backpawed blow, which knocked him out of his seat, flat on his face. Vizka laughed, looking around at the other vermin in the cabin. “Pore Grivel, can’t ’old ’is grog, if’n y’ask me!”
    The crew knew what to do, they laughed aloud with their unpredictable captain, every one of them. Vizka issued orders. “When vittles is ready they’ll be served up on deck. I want y’all to sit where dat stripe’ound can see ya. Watchin’ yew lot eatin’ might stir up ’is appetite. Look as if yore enjoyin’ dinner, make