Sacred Hunger - Barry Unsworth [129]
Standing against the rail, Paris watched one of the slaves unshackled from his fellow by Cavana and Sullivan and led towards them. He was a tall man, loose-limbed and rather shambling in gait, though Paris thought this might be due to weakness. His face was broad and heavy-boned, the eyes deep-set below the ridges of the brows. He was emaciated; the lines of ribcage and breastbone were clearly visible below the skin. The inflamed K of his brandmark lay high on the left side of his chest, above the heart.
‘It seems it has been going on for some days past, sir,’ Haines said, ‘but that fool Morgan did not see fit to say nothing, nor Wilson and Blair, that has had the job of serving them their beans and yams.’
‘Has Morgan anything ready now?’
‘He is cooking the slaves’ rice, sir.’
‘Tell him to fetch some.’ Thurso turned to the negro, who stood with head downcast. ‘Now, you dog,’ he said. ‘You have been setting a bad example, have you? I’ll teach you tricks.’ He glared round irately. ‘Where the devil is the linguister?’
‘Standing by, Captain, sir.’ He had been at Thurso’s side all the while, but he was so short in stature that the captain had overlooked him. ‘Jimmy is here,’ he said. His smile was amazing, occupying the whole of his face, all but closing his eyes, exposing a row of pale gums. ‘This Wolof man,’ he said. ‘Bad temper people. I don’ spik Wolof. Try him Bambara linga.’
‘Tell him,’ Thurso said, ‘that he is going to be given some rice and if he doesn’t eat it I’ll set him down below in the dark with the screws on him.’
‘Skeroos?’ Jimmy’s smile diminished at this difficulty.
‘Thumbscrews, you fool.’ Thurso’s temper was deteriorating. He made a gesture of turning a key against his thumb.
‘Unnerstan’ perfect.’
Jimmy spoke for some moments in a language of soft, rising inflections. The slave continued to hang his head, making no reply nor showing any sign that he was aware of being addressed.
The rice was brought from the galley by a flustered Morgan, plump and aproned and sweating copiously as usual. It was thrust under the nose of the slave, who turned his head mutely from it. Thurso’s precarious hold on his temper was not proof against this defiance. He struck the man heavily on the side of his lowered head, sending him to the deck, where he lay motionless but with his eyes open still.
Thurso stood for some moments looking down at him. Then, in his hoarse and grating voice, which showed small variety of tone whatever his feelings, he said, ‘Take him below, Haines, put the screws on him – both thumbs. Leave him in the dark on his own. We will try him again later and see if he has come to better sense.’
Without waiting to see the man hauled to his feet, Paris turned away abruptly. He had taken some steps towards the ladder-way, when Thurso’s voice recalled him. He turned and stood facing the captain at some paces’ distance.
‘Mr Paris,’ Thurso said, ‘it is customary for the members of a ship’s company, including the officers, to take their cue from the captain. You do not withdraw yourself without a word. You will remain here until you get leave to go, sir.’
Paris felt the blood rush to his face at this public rebuke. He was aware of the people looking on, the negro still sprawled on the deck, the grouped slaves behind him in the waist. All seemed to be waiting, to be expecting something from him. He paused to control his breathing. When he spoke it was in a voice deeper than usual: ‘Sir, I know I am subject to your orders, as are all on board. But I am a doctor, and I take my profession seriously. I suppose I am here for all on the ship. I cannot easily see that crushing his thumbs is the best way to make him eat. It might be possible to try persuasion.’
‘Persuasion?’ The word came, hoarse and lingering, charged with contempt. Barton, at some paces off, uttered a suppressed sniggering and grins spread among the crew.
Thurso’s tactical sense was formidable and he exploited it now. ‘Persuasion?’ he said again, and made a stiff gesture of incredulity.
It was to occur later to Paris that by using this word