by Cal Clement
Admiral Elliot Sharpe exited a large, comfortable carriage in front of Lord Governor Alton’s mansion. Governor Alton expecting his arrival, greeted him on the front steps leading up to the grand mansion. Colonial soldiers guarding the premises and it’s occupants snapped to attention when the two men came into sight.
“Admiral Sharpe! How good to see you, please, I am expecting additional company, a dinner party. Would you join us?” Alton said. The Governor spoke everything with an air of contempt and elitism that the Admiral could barely suffer. His ample build and the walk down the stairs caused the last words to come across a little hurried as he ran out of breath.
“It would be my pleasure Lord Governor.” Elliot replied. A stark contrast to the obscenely overweight governor, Admiral Sharpe was a tall, slender man. He spoke in measured, careful tones and always maintained his officer’s reserve. Years of command in the Royal Navy had embedded discipline and bearing into Elliot, his tone was the same whether he was accepting a dinner invitation or ordering a shore battery to open fire. His opinion of the governor couldn’t be lower, the things Elliot had sacrificed and worked for his entire life, Governor Alton was born into. It was a symptom of a class system that defined life in Britain and all of its colonies and protectorates. Governor Alton wielded commander in chief powers of the Caribbean fleet and so Elliot must suffer his presence and pander to his oddities and incompetence.
The two entered the mansion and proceeded through a large, ornate atrium and into a study. The room was filled with bookcases, a large desk sat at the rear of the room facing inward from picture windows displaying a gorgeous backdrop behind the mansion. The Jamaican evening was setting in, casting orange and pink hues over the hills and cliffs overlooking calm, almost serene seas. The evening glow served to illuminate the study and Admiral Sharpe took note of charts scattered across the Governor’s desk. A large map of the Caribbean painted on the north wall and flanked by more bookcases loaded with volumes. Governor Alton stood behind the desk and settled into the high back plush chair behind it. He removed his wig and dabbed at his forehead with a kerchief, barely abating the onslaught of perspiration.
“There is to be a few additions to your fleet Admiral. I have received correspondence from London, and you should be expecting an additional frigate this month and next. As well as two ships of the line the following month and two more the month after.” Alton said in between recovering his breath.
“I didn’t realize we were in need of additional ships, with the pirate problem nearly abated…” the admiral began to reply.
“I know you didn’t realize, but I have foreseen the need and have requested the additional sea power.” Governor Alton snapped, interrupting the admiral, “I want the frigates assigned to covering the East India Company shipments between Barbados and Kingston. The larger ships, third rates I believe, are to be deployed as a squadron to defend Kingston harbor.”
“Yes, Lord Governor. I will see to it. But, if I may Sir, might I inquire into the need for additional escorts for the East India ships, we haven’t lost any to pirates in quite some…” Admiral Sharpe began to respond, but was again interrupted.
“I am aware of threats to the East India fleet of which you are not Admiral. Those are your orders; I see no need for further discussion.” Alton huffed out, growing visibly irritated with Admiral Sharpe.
“Yes, Sir. Might I also inquire as to the standoff orders we are currently issuing to the fleet. It would aid in their defense if the fleet could rely on the East India ships for mutual support as well as approach to render aid if the East India ships are in distress.” Sharpe said, hurrying his cadence slightly to avoid being cut off again and internally irritated at the Governor’s rude habit. Through it Elliot maintained his military bearing, insulted as he was that the silver spoon Governor kept insinuating his subservience while also implying a sense that Admiral Sharpe was somehow ignorant of his duties.
“The standoff orders are to remain Admiral. The East India fleet are aware of these orders and have been so directed as well. Approach at your own peril, it will be charged as treason to disregard these orders. We cannot afford to quarantine any of your ships and that is exactly what the result of close contact will be.” Alton continued, his arrogance dripping from his words. The conversation turned to other matters, the current state of the fleet, ships refitting and those in need of refit. There were several troop movements that needed attention from the fleet, both carrying troops and escorting those movements as well as ship battery supporting a ground assault on a rebel encampment eastward up the coast from Kingston. The Governor’s indifference grew in each new matter discussed until he caught Admiral Sharpe’s eye gazing upon a particular map of the Jamaican interior. Alton quickly overturned the map and gave a self-satisfactory smile. Replacing his wig onto his head and giving Sharpe a blank stare awaiting conclusion to what was obviously information he believed beneath his station.
“Yes, Lord Governor. I will ensure those orders are carried out exactly.” Sharpe replied evenly, disguising his simmering distaste for the Governor and his continually declining situation.
“Very well, now that we have that unpleasantness concluded. I’m sure you have kept me from greeting some of my dinner guests. But we will carry on nonetheless.” The Governor stated flatly, almost to himself, pulling his large frame up from his chair. The Governor started toward the door and opened it to reveal a crowd of guests awaiting his arrival in the large atrium. Immediately the Governor’s countenance changed as he was pleasant to each guest he greeted and to Admiral Sharpe as well while all the introductions were made. With each introduction Elliot’s discomfort grew, he would much rather be in an officer’s mess amongst line captains and lieutenants aboard a ship with marginal food.
Dinner was a grand and formal event, obscene in both portion and number of courses. Elliot found himself quite satiated early on and longing for an excuse to exit. He felt out of place being a bachelor among a company of married couples. He did note several lasting stares from a couple of the society type wives and Elliot Sharpe desired no confrontation from a jealous husband. The only other bachelor at the dinner party was a man whom the Governor introduced as Mr. Timothy Sladen, a tobacco farmer and merchant from the former colonies, now United States. The presence and demeanor of Mr. Sladen did not sit well with Elliot. He was obviously American; his accent was distinct when he spoke and his conduct consistent with that of other Americans Elliot had encountered. But a scarred brow and neck in addition to scarred hands belied something other than the gentleman plantation owner the Governor had introduced him as.
At the conclusion of the meal, the men gathered on a large balcony to partake in cigars while the ladies continued their conversation in the dining hall. Elliot chose this as his opportunity to exit, exchanging parting pleasantries with each gentleman in turn and the Governor last. He entered a waiting carriage which would deliver him to a shore boat which would in turn eventually deliver him aboard his flagship. Riding in the carriage Elliot replayed his conversation with the Governor in his mind, the new ships arriving to the fleet and the peculiar orders the Governor seemed so touchy about. In addition, the supposed gentleman tobacco baron from the Carolinas did not sit well with him, his demeanor and unveiled interest in Admiral Sharpe seemed out of place. This, before considering, that tensions between the Crown and the former colonies were again on the rise, Elliot could not quite place why the American would be a welcomed guest at the Lord Governor’s home. Elliot mulled these questions until his escort arrived at the pier, he then gathered himself and proceeded to the longboat waiting to take him out to his flagship the H.M.S Endurance. His mind eased by the improvement, in his opinion, of company and the familiar demands of naval service.
On the balcony, the gentlemen had congregated into several groups each enjoying cigars and rum provided by the Governor’s servants. Nearest the door Mr. Sladen stood solitary, puffing at his cigar and looking intently at the Lord Governor. Alton, notici
ng Sladen’s focus, excused himself from a discussion with several of his guests regarding a slave revolt currently in progress inland. He made his way over to Sladen, acknowledging several compliments on dinner from his guests along the way and the duo walked to the rail on the side of the balcony.
“I’m not impressed by your Admiral. Is he going to become a problem?” Sladen asked in a very hushed tone.
“No no, I’ve got things completely under control. I assure you, any issues we come against from the Royal Navy will be handled according to the articles of war. No Sir, there will be no problems.” the Governor insisted quietly.
“I could hear you in the study Governor, the Admiral is already questioning his orders. If this turns into an issue now it will make for an inconvenient reception when they return.” Sladen said.
“The Admiral will do his duty. He will follow his orders exactly; you have nothing to worry about.” Alton replied.
“Well, I should hope not. For your sake as well as his, my partners and I have already invested quite an advance to you. It won’t turn out well for anyone if there are any unnecessary...” Sladen paused, “Problems.”
“No, no no. I am certain. Things will progress just as we have agreed. I am expecting minimal problems and nothing we cannot easily overcome. I assure you Sir, your investment is in good hands and will reap you exactly what you are seeking.” the Governor said even more hushed so his guests would not hear him in this position with someone.
“That’s good. You let me know if there’s anything else you need. This endeavor cannot fail.” Sladen said, putting out his cigar on the rail and walking away without observing any departing gestures.
5 August 1808
Port-Au-Prince Harbor, Haiti
Lilith awoke on the hard-wooden deck of a ship, a group of men looked on as she coughed and sputtered up water and retched on the deck where she lay. A sick feeling engulfed her and even though the night was warm, she shivered violently. A large, imposing man with a bald head and graying beard brought Lilith a blanket and wrapping her in it, lifted her from the deck of the ship. He had a kind manner about him, though his scarred hands and face belied a propensity for violence that Lilith noticed as he took her up.
“You gave us a scare young lady; another few minutes and you’d be beyond saving. You must feel like shit.” The large man spoke, soft in manner or at least he was trying. A gentle look in his eyes reassured her, this man meant her no harm.
“Thank you.” Lilith sputtered out in between coughs. Her shiver continued even now wrapped in the blanket and held tightly in the strong sailor’s big arms. With a slight motion of the deck Lilith quickly looked about, instantly anxious about her new surroundings and the strange men who had rescued her. Seeing this, the sailor tried to ease her discomfort,
“Relax miss, not an evil will befall you whilst you are among this crew.” the man spoke reassuring Lilith. He carried her below decks to the galley and gently placed her in a seat near the wood stove. Lilith could feel her chill easing and the sailor poured some coffee into a cup and handed it to her with a smile.
“My name is Charles; this lot all calls me Chibs or worse sometimes I’m afraid. But you can call me what you like miss.” He said sitting in a seat across from her. He opened a wooden crate near the stove and produced a small loaf of dark bread which he tore in half. He handed half of the bread to Lilith, who immediately began to eat. She was famished, the bread and coffee were devoured with no observed formality, which brought a huge grin to Chibs’ face. He had taken a bite of his half of the loaf but surrendered the rest to the girl who gladly took it and wolfed it down.
“I’ll have our cook, fix you something proper after you’ve had some rest. But, that wench of a screw is god awful if awoken and she is sleeping now. Speaking of which, you must be about done in. There’s a hammock you can use here in the galley, I wouldn’t want your shiver to keep, so you sleep here. I’ll go fetch a hammock.”
“Sir, where are we sailing to?” Lilith asked sheepishly.
“You’ve nothing to fear lady. The authorities have no idea we scooped you up and we have no further business in a French port on this trip. Not any French port that would be looking for you anyhow.” Chibs answered but without really giving a specific destination. Lilith was confounded. How did he know she was avoiding French authorities? Where were they headed and what French port would not be looking out for a runaway slave who had murdered her former captor? Chibs could see confusion and concern crossing Lilith’s beautiful face.
“Sir. Where do you sail to?” Lilith asked again, a stern, determined note entering her voice.
“Well, ah, little lady. We haven’t a particular destination as of yet. A few options have been discussed but having taken in a fugitive in Port-Au-Prince, I think Haiti be good only astern of us for now. The Cuba trade routes have made us a good profit before, or perhaps the Louisiana coast. The crew will hold a vote when we’ve put out a little farther from Haiti.” Chibs replied, hoping his answer would placate the girl. It didn’t.
“How do you know I am pursued? And why would you help me?” Lilith pressed.
“Your former master did not survive his, ah, encounter. His employees spread word all over town and the docks. We found you as we were returning to the ship in the longboat. There are only so many reasons for a young lady to be attempting to swim the harbor that late at night. We assumed you to be the wanted woman. My apologies if we were incorrect. But you were in obvious peril, so we did the only rightful thing. As far as your escape from Haiti, I think you will find this crew is a bit patchwork like. You wouldn’t be the first escaped slave we’ve taken on, nor fugitive.” answered Chibs. “In fact, our Captain himself is an escaped slave. But that is a conversation for another time.”
“What sort of crew votes on their destination? Don’t toy with me mister.” Lilith asked pressing further.
“Well miss, ah, we vote on destination and duties. The captain still commands as he will, but at least this way he knows the desire of the crew. We deal in all different manner of cargo, but never human cargo.” Chibs answered. He could see some of the girl’s fears eased and other suspicions arose. He would have to leave it at that for now, he could see Lilith struggling to remain awake despite her investigative questions. “You need to rest lady. Fear not, you’re safe, but I’m afraid you may catch a fever if you don’t beat those shivers and get some sleep. Now, let me fetch you a hammock,” said Chibs. He disappeared out of the galley and Lilith was already nodding off when he returned. Lilith opened her eyes momentarily as Chibs lifted her into the freshly slung hammock, she smiled slightly and drifted off into sleep with the gentle pitch and roll of the ship.
“BOOM!” Lilith awoke to the thundering of a single cannon shot. Startled awake and in a panic, she scrambled out of the hammock, hitting her head and knee in the cramped galley quarters, she raced to find out what was unfolding. Finding her way out to the passageway she ran, barefoot and clothed only in the torn remains of her dress, to the stairs leading up onto the main deck. On her way Lilith passed a gun deck with crew members all manning cannons. She scanned the crews looking for Chibs but found only unfamiliar faces intently staring out open gun ports. Not a single one even looked her way. Lilith continued on up the stairs, finally she emerged from below onto the main deck. Lilith squinted as the bright sun hit her eyes which had been accustomed to the dim light below deck. The loud thunderclap of another cannon sounded, and smoke rose from the side of the ship she was on. Men were hustling about on deck and Lilith was frantically searching for Chibs. Then she spotted him, he was standing near the wheel of the ship, but focused out over their larboard rail. Lilith made her way over, weaving in between men and women alike moving about on deck. She approached Chibs, who was so focused over the larboard rail he hadn’t noticed the beautiful girl approaching him.
“Chibs?” Lilith raised her voice trying to get his attention. It failed. Another man was standing about two feet behind Chibs and step
ped forward slightly to speak to the large sailor.
“Hoist the black Chibs, let’s see what this lot is made of,” the man said.
“Aye Captain.” Chibs replied, then he turned toward the rest of the deck and repeated the command. “Run up the black flag boys! Fire another round across her bow!” Then looking out over the deck of the ship Chibs finally noticed Lilith, who had been standing there trying to get his attention.
“Ah, Good morning there, my dear, you may want to be getting below decks, maybe even the hold girl. If these dogs return fire it could turn into a bloody mess up here!” said Chibs, pausing slightly and then raising his voice mid-sentence after another outgoing shot from a cannon.
“What is going on? Who is on that ship?” Lilith demanded, pointing over at the ship off the larboard rail.
“Some American merchantmen dear.” Chibs replied, giving up on persuading the girl to return to relative safety below as she walked up to him, “We are going to relieve them of some excess cargo as it were.”
As Lilith walked over to the larboard rail with Chibs next to her, the ship’s captain approached the duo from where he stood. The crew aboard were running up a large black flag, Lilith could see the likeness of a skull with horns coming from out atop its head. Behind the skull was an angled trident with a broken chain crossing the bottom of the black field. Lilith watched as the large black flag filled with the morning breeze. Almost as soon as it was run up to it’s highest point the American ship began to lower their stars and stripes.
“Striking their colors Cap’n,” Chibs sounded out excitedly.
“Ready a boarding party Chibs. Lay us up alongside pistol shot and grapple them in. Not a soul harmed unless they provoke it.” the Captain rattled off his orders. Lilith looked him over, he was dressed in the same manner as the rest of the crew, raggedy, he stood a full head shorter than Chibs and quite narrower at the shoulders. He appeared young, Lilith put him no older than perhaps thirty and his clean-shaven face was almost the only one she had seen on board except for the women. Lilith understood now why Chibs had been so elusive about revealing details last night. She was aboard a pirate vessel. Her head spun, a mixture of excitement and fear washed over her. These men obviously meant her no harm, not yet anyhow. She couldn’t help but be caught up in her thoughts and hadn’t noticed the ship pulling closer and closer into the surrendering American vessel.
