Aboard Cabrillo's Galleon by Christine Echeverria Bender Page B

the air as acutely as their bipedal masters. Though the animals would not be loaded until tomorrow Cabrillo had ordered them corralled near the seaside to avoid last-minute delays.
    At first light boats ashore had begun skimming the water toward the fleet where men, yards, blocks, and tackle awaited their arrival. With long-practiced agility they raised heavy armaments, gunpowder, ropes, canvas, metal fastenings, pitch, and firewood, as well as barrels of wine, water, and dried and salted food to the ship’s waists. Chests, crates, and bundles of trade goods had already been carefully stowed below decks. Cabrillo glanced toward his flagship and spotted Pilot San Remón with his back to the San Salvador’s railing, personally supervising her loading while Sánchez carried out his related duties on land.
    Sánchez was easily distinguished as a maritime supply officer by the set of formidable keys that hung from his belt and jangled dully with each step. These keys kept the bulk of their food stores and weaponry securely locked behind iron bars, thereby reducing the temptation of any sailors inclined to opportune pilfering.
    Not far beyond the pigpen, he and Cabrillo paused to observe the transfer of a seven-foot breech-loaded great gun fashioned of wrought iron, known as a bombardeta, from a solidly-built wagon to one of the San Salvador’s launches. Because each of these guns was so precious, only a single such weapon was permitted to be transported at a time. Three other bombardetas and their two-wheeled carriages had previously been taken aboard the flagship and stowed in the bilges, joining their supply of five-pound balls as ballast. This last big gun alone would be positioned on its waiting carriage beneath the starboard gunwale, where it could be used to hold off any attack until the other bombardetas were mounted. Although neither the San Miguel nor La Victoria carried bombardetas, they had each received an allotment of smaller swivel guns called bercos that nearly equaled the sixteen assigned to the San Salvador . Three bercos were already mounted at both side rails of each ship. These along with their other assorted armaments were capable of causing great damage to any enemy within close range, especially when trying to board.
    As two brothers with startlingly bright reddish hair eased the heavy bombardeta from its wagon braces, Cabrillo nodded approvingly and said to Sánchez, “I would willingly wager that we have the only two Irish gunners on this side of New Spain.”
    â€œAnd they are good men, sir, though the younger brother speaks not a word of Castilian.”
    â€œOne of many who will learn quickly enough. What is the condition of our weaponry, Lope?”
    â€œBeautiful, Captain-General,” Sánchez answered with pride, though he knew that Cabrillo was as aware of the state of the fleets’ armaments as he was himself. “With every piece in complete readiness, sir, we will not be caught unprepared. The viceroy has been generous.”
    â€œHas anything yet to be brought to the beach?”
    â€œAfter this last gun, every bombardeta, berco, crossbow, javelin, pike, shield, musket, ball, and keg will be aboard, sir. We await only the few fighting blades still being sharpened and oiled, and they will be delivered within the hour.”
    With frequent glances at myriad other loading activities around them, Cabrillo and Lope noted how ably the hands performed the ticklish task of settling the great gun onto its bed in the launch. When at last the weighty artillery piece rested serenely, the now low-riding launch eased away from shore and pulled gently toward the flagship. Upon the gun’s safe arrival, Lope let his breath out in a soft sigh of relief, then smiled. “May I say, sir, how lovely our ships look today? So shining and proud, as if they too are pleased to be sailing with the dawn.”
    â€œYes, Lope, they are lovely,” Cabrillo said, and his