"Cussler, Clive - NUMA Files 04 - White Death - with Paul Kemprecos" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cussler Clive)

813'.54 dc21

Printed in the United States of America 13579 10 8642

This book is printed on acid-free paper. @ BOOK DESIGN BY LOVE DOG

STUDIO

WHITE DEATH

Prologue I

West of the British Isles, 1515

DIEGO AGUIRREZ AWOKE from his restless sleep thinking that a rat had
scurried across his face. His wide forehead was bathed in a cold
sweat, his heart hammered in his chest, and a formless panic gnawed
hungrily at his innards. He listened to the muffled snores of his
sleeping crewmen and the chuckle and swash of wavelets against the
wooden hull. Nothing appeared to be amiss. Yet he couldn't shake the
uneasy feeling that an unseen threat lurked in the shadows.

Easing from his hammock, Aguirrez wrapped a thick woolen blanket around
his brawny shoulders and climbed a companionway to the fog-shrouded
deck. In the muted light of the moon, the solidly built caravel
glistened as if it were made of spiderwebs. Aguirrez went over to a
form huddled next to the yellow glow of an oil lamp.

"Good evening, Captain," the man said at his approach.

Aguirrez was pleased to see that the watch was awake and alert.

"Good evening," the captain replied. "All goes well?" "Yes, sir.
Still no wind, though."

Aguirrez glanced up at the ghostly masts and sails. "It will come. I
can smell it."

"Aye, Captain," the man said, stifling a yawn. "Go below and get some
sleep. I'll relieve you." "It isn't time yet. My shift's not over
for another turn of the glass." The captain picked up the hourglass
next to the lamp and turned it over. "There," he said. "Now it's
time."

The man grunted his thanks and shuffled off to the crew's quarters
while the captain took up a post in the ship's high, squared-off stern
castle. He gazed off to the south, staring into the smoky mists that
rose like steam from the mirror-flat sea. He was still at his post
when the sun rose. His olive-black eyes were red-rimmed, and they
ached with weariness. His blanket was soggy with moisture. With