Lafayette was introducing Elcano to the ironworks' share offering plan when an attendant beside them suddenly lowered his telescope and shouted, "Sir, the ships are here!"
Two brigantines came speeding across the distant sea, docking at the pier a little over twenty minutes later.
Music immediately rose all around them.
Once the ships had settled, the captains came down the gangplanks. Only when they saw the Golden Iris emblem on the flag behind Elcano did they finally let out long sighs of relief.
Yes, both ships were smuggling ships that had departed from France's Saint-Malo Port. Though they had already run the Caribbean Sea route six or seven times and arrived safely every time, making quite a fortune, the cargo they carried this time was the most dangerous kind.
If they were intercepted by the United Kingdom or Portuguese fleets, they would likely face hanging.
Fortunately, with the assistance of the French Navy and the Security Bureau, the two ships had crossed the Atlantic Ocean without incident.
A Colony official approached, confirmed the two captains' identities, then gestured to Elcano. "The Governor is waiting for you." The captains were instantly flattered beyond measure, but they still looked around. "May I ask where the cargo transfer officer is?"
Before long, more than two hundred soldiers began carrying case after case of Percussion Cap Guns from the ships, along with brand-new oil-sealed cannon barrels and crate after crate of copper Percussion Caps. This was why Elcano had placed such importance on the two ships.
With this batch of fine weapons, Count of Baton Rouge's chances of victory had risen by several points.
Watching the busy soldiers, Lafayette turned to the Governor and said, "Three more ships will follow, carrying enough Canned Food to sustain our army for twenty-five days. After that will