Read Aboard Cabrillo's Galleon for Free Online Page A

usual. Observing Ferrelo’s gentle expression, Cabrillo could not help reflecting on how his two subordinate captains were as dissimilar from one another as snow differs from mud.
    While Ferrelo’s appearance was neat to the point of fastidiousness, it was evident that Correa could not be troubled about his at all. The cost of Ferrelo’s finely tailored wardrobe must have totaled ten times the outlay made for Correa’s sturdy clothing. Ferrelo’s moustache, with its long tapered ends curling upward to form perfectly balanced arches, was nothing short of a work of art. Correa, on the other hand, seldom remembered to keep his beard or moustache trimmed until it began to itch from the stirrings of small, unwanted denizens. Ferrelo was the fittest, most graceful man in the fleet while Correa sported the beginnings of a gut and moved with the finesse of a lame bull. Beyond appearances, Ferrelo was soft-spoken, thoughtful, and deliberate. Correa spoke loudly and often, his words punctuated by a slight lisp issuing from the gap where two front teeth had once resided.
    Fortunately for Cabrillo and his fleet, the two seemed so amused by the extremes of his peer that they got along considerably well. Cabrillo believed that their acceptance of one another was even more due to the fact that, despite their conspicuous differences, the most needed traits to be found in a ship Captains Correa and Ferrelo held in common: loyalty, intelligence, and courage.
    Turning again toward the three gentlemen seated to Ferrelo’s left, Cabrillo addressed Villalobos, Urdaneta, and Bolaños. “I apologize for Pilot San Remón and Master Uribe’s tardiness, gentlemen. They are generally most reliable. I can only presume that something serious has distracted them.”
    â€œPlease do not concern yourself, Captain-General Cabrillo,” said Villalobos. “The viceroy’s instruction can wait a little longer.”
    Urdaneta said, “Such hearty fare as our inn keeper continues to offer has made the waiting enjoyable, sir.”
    Bolaños added, “I must add, it is seldom that I have a chance to share such esteemed company, Captain-General.”
    They briefly let their attention be diverted by the thin middle-aged serving woman who quietly entered and placed a small bowl of olives and a platter piled high with sheep cheese and flat bread on the table. Cabrillo gave her a nod that said they needed nothing more. Just turning to leave, she let out a startled cry and leaped back to avoid being knocked down by the precipitate arrival of young Pilot Gerónimo de San Remón. A breathless Master Uribe immediately followed his entry but did so with slightly more dignity.
    The two men bowed low to the group and the pilot said with his head still down, “Captain Cabrillo, gentlemen, please forgive us for being so late to appear.” He held his bow a little longer than seemed necessary but when he straightened, Captain Correa let out a howl of laughter and Señor Urdaneta slid a hand over his mouth to hide a smile. Cabrillo was so surprised he rose to his feet and addressed his pilot with a highly irregular lack of formality, demanding, “Gerónimo! Explain yourself.” Now that they could all see Pilot San Remón’s clean-shaven face clearly, they took a moment to study the bleeding lip, reddened jaw, and puffy left eye marring the youthful virtue his face usually portrayed.
    â€œCaptain-General,” he reported in his most official tone, “we were delayed when a fight broke out among the crew of the San Miguel .” This abruptly silenced Captain Correa’s laughter and expunged his grin. Pilot San Remón went on hurriedly, “Pilot Barreda had requested that I come aboard to check their binnacle compass, sir. I was doing so when the first punch was thrown and, I am ashamed to admit it, sir, but while trying to stop the brawl I was thrown into it,