by C. G. Mosley
The wagon suddenly came to an abrupt halt.
“Finally,” I grumbled. “My knees are beginning to ache.”
Unfortunately, it suddenly became apparent that we had not arrived at the ship as I had hoped. I could hear talking near the front of the wagon, but it was too muffled to make out what was being said.
“Soldiers have stopped the wagon,” Andrea said suddenly.
“Can you hear them?” I asked.
“Yes, they’re asking Mr. Copperton about his cargo.”
“What is he saying?” I asked, frustrated that she could hear and I could not.
“He’s telling them that he’s headed for the docks with it,” she replied. “The soldiers are telling him that they are searching for an escaped fugitive and they need to search the wagon.”
“That’s just wonderful,” I whispered through clenched teeth. I grabbed my pistol and drew back the hammer.
Andrea heard the gun click as I readied the weapon.
“Are you mad?” she hissed. “We don’t even know how many soldiers are out there!”
“I’m just getting prepared,” I replied. “John is a clever man. I’m betting he’ll find a way out of this.”
The soldiers made their way to the back of the wagon and suddenly I could hear them quite well. Unfortunately, I realized that this meant they would be able to hear us easily as well.
“What are the contents of the containers?” I heard a man’s commanding voice call out.
“I already told you. There is cider, sugar, spices and a mixture of fruits and vegetables,” John replied firmly.
There was a brief silence and I could hear someone climb up into the wagon.
“Mr. Copperton,” the soldier continued. “Would you mind if we check the contents for ourselves.”
“As a matter of fact I would,” John replied angrily. “Are you suggesting that I am lying sir?”
“We are merely being thorough,” the soldier countered. “It would be wise of you to stay out of the way.”
I cringed as I heard the soldier speak the words. It was clear that he didn’t know John Copperton very well.
“Sir, do you have any idea who I am?” John asked.
“Mr. Copperton, I must confess I do not and that is precisely why I want to search your wagon,” the soldier replied, agitated. “You sir, are apparently unaware of who I am as well. I’m here under the authority of Governor Winter’s and you would—
“I am a close acquaintance of the governor!” John snarled. “I will be sure to tell him how I was treated tonight as soon as the sun comes up.”
The soldier seemed unaffected by the threat.
“Mr. Copperton, I am going to ask you once more to voluntarily let me verify that the fugitive isn’t in this wagon and if you refuse I will do so by force.”
“And I’m going to warn you one more time to get back on your horse and leave me be laddie,” John growled.
“Very well, have it your way,” the soldier said.
I could clearly make out the sound of metal sliding from leather.
“Put that pistol away at once!” John shouted.
My heart rate picked up and it took all the restraint I could muster to keep from bursting from the crate. The feeling of helplessness I’d felt hours earlier when I was in shackles suddenly crept back into mind. Andrea was deadly quiet. There was virtually nothing either of us could do. Suddenly, a thunderous boom tore through the night air.
Why was this man firing his bloody weapon? Had he shot John?
There was a brief moment of silence before I got my answer.
“Well, I hope you’re satisfied,” John huffed. “You put a nice round hole in a perfectly good barrel of cider.”
Now I could make out the sound of liquid chugging swiftly from a barrel and spattering all over the road beneath the wagon. Fortunately, it seemed the soldier chose a barrel to shoot that did not contain Gordon or Langley. I held my breath and hoped it was enough for them to let John go.
“Mr. Copperton,” the soldier said. “I thank you for your cooperation, you may move along.”
“Governor Winters will hear about this young man,” John said. “You will pay for the barrel of cider you just ruined.”
The soldier kept his calm demeanor and again ignored the threat.
“Mr. Copperton, if you see or hear anything regarding the escaped prisoner, I trust you will tell the authorities immediately,” was the reply.
Moments later the rhythmic sound of multiple horses galloping away was followed by a loud sigh of relief from Andrea.
“That was too close,” she said.
“Aye, it certainly was,” I replied.
John returned to the front of the wagon and we were moving again. The rest of the short trip was uninterrupted. When we arrived at the docks, John had two of his men transport all of the barrels and crates below the deck of the sloop Governor Winters had promised me. It was only then that we were safe enough to come out of hiding. Once I was out, I stood and stretched my arms. We had been bottled up a lot longer than we’d planned.
I peered over at Langley. The lantern that hung overhead wasn’t very bright, but it provided just enough light for me to make him out. He was seated on a water cask and massaging both knees.
“That’s something I’d rather not do ever again, Cap’n,” he said.
“Me either.” I turned to John. “You handled those soldiers beautifully.”
“Did I?” he asked wearily. “I’m not so sure. That young pup could’ve easily put a shot into one of you three and there would have been nothing I could’ve done to stop it.”
“You did well,” Andrea assured him. “We’re all here alive. That’s the important thing.” She leaned toward him and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, John.”
It was a shame that the light was so dim; I would’ve enjoyed seeing the old man’s face. I could hear the delight in his voice. He suddenly didn’t sound so weary anymore.
“It was my pleasure, lass,” he replied. “Oh! I almost forgot.”
He pulled a cloth sack from a nearby crate and tossed it to Andrea.
“Seeing how you’re now a fugitive, it’s probably a good idea for you to change clothes,” he said. “They’re men’s clothing and they may be a bit baggy, but they’ll do the job.”
She took the bag and hugged John graciously.
“Thank you again, kind sir,” she said.
After the embrace, John let out a tired sigh. He was looking more exhausted by the minute.
“I’m afraid I must be going now,” he said wearily. “Good luck to the lot of you.”
I reached for John and hugged him tightly. He stuck his neck out for me yet again. I told myself that this would surely be the last time.
“Thank you, John. You’ve never let me down.”
“You know I’m always here for you, boy,” he replied.
It was a tender moment, one of the few in my life. He bid us all good luck, and then he was gone.
Chapter 5 :
Oliver Langley wasted no time collapsing into the first hammock he happened upon in the crew’s quarters of the ship. I’d already decided that the best place for both Gordon and Andrea would be in my quarters. It was essential that Gordon recover from his injury as soon as possible and it seemed to me that the best place for him would be on a soft bed. As it happened, the only soft bed found on the ship was in the captain’s quarters.
I threw Gordon upon my shoulder and quickly made my way across the deck with Andrea on my heels. I barged through the door of the captain’s quarters and casually dropped Gordon’s limp body into bed. It was very dark, but there was no need to light a lantern. I found Andrea a cot and minutes after she lay down, I could hear the heavy, rhythmic breathing of her sleeping. I stood there a moment with my hands upon my sides and reflected on the events of the day.
It was truly miraculous that I was still alive!
I thought of the sloop I now found myself in. I knew very li
ttle about her and had not even seen how she looked from the outside. I would have to get acquainted with the ship very quickly in the morning if I was going to be able to set sail by early afternoon.
Exhaustion weighed heavily on my eyelids and I considered options for my own sleeping arrangement. Tired as I was, I simply grabbed a wooden chair from a nearby table, sat down, and leaned it carefully back against the wall. I lowered the tricorn hat down over my eyes and finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I was awakened suddenly by the moaning and groaning of Gordon Littleton. The sound startled me, and I came very close to tipping my chair over. Gordon was still lying in the bed, but he was massaging his temples.
I took the groaning and the movement as a good sign.
“As soon as I get a little rum and porridge in you, you’ll be good as new,” I muttered.
“I’m afraid it’s going to be quite a while before I’m ‘good as new’,” he groaned.
Gordon arose from the bed in a gingerly fashion, allowing both legs to swing lazily off the bed and onto the floor. He stood for a moment and I could tell he was considering whether or not he should try and walk. There was a glazed-over look in his eyes; he almost seemed drunk.
“Sit down you crass fool,” I commanded. “You’ll end up falling and cracking that skull of yours open the rest of the way.”
I walked over and gently pushed him back down on to the bed. He scowled at me, but remained seated. Andrea stirred on the cot in the corner; she’d apparently been listening to our exchange.
“The captain is right,” she said. “You should sit down Gordon.”
“I’ll remain seated if you’ll find something for my belly,” he replied. “It’s past time for breakfast and I’m not going to be very useful at all on an empty stomach.”
Andrea stood and stretched.
“I think we can manage that,” she said and then looked at me. “Right, Captain?”
I wasn’t very comfortable leaving Gordon alone. He was a stubborn man and often disobeyed any orders regarding his personal well-being. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he jumped up and started getting his navigational charts together the minute that we left the ship.
On the other hand, I needed some time alone with Andrea to discuss a few things regarding Captain Trimble and the signet ring of King Solomon. I decided to leave him alone and if he fell and cracked his bloody skull while we were away, it would be his own cursed fault.
“Gordon, you stay right there until we get back. Agreed?”
His response was exactly as I expected.
“Sure Captain, I’ll be right here when you return. I like my eggs scrambled if you please,” he said.
I rolled my eyes and motioned for Andrea to follow me. When we were outside and on deck, I was surprised to already see several members of my crew on board. They were sprawled all about the deck, their bellies no doubt full of rum. Many of them were still sleeping off the wild night before. I figured this was as good a time as any to get things back to normalcy.
“Up with you!” I shouted. “Set to work, all of you! We’ve got a ship to ready if we’re to shove off by midafternoon.”
The men scrambled to their feet, some cursing as they went. I didn’t mind the cursing or the scowls, for as long as they did their duties it made no difference to me. One man in particular, Robert Lynch, immediately went aloft to see about the rigging. He was a young man, mid-twenties; a mop of brown shaggy hair adorned his large head and a long neck extended beneath his chin. He was a scrawny fellow, but strong and a natural leader. When the Royal Navy defeated me and my crew on board the Rebecca, I was saddened to find one of the casualties was the ships boatswain, Isaac Norington. Norington had been a trusted member of my crew for two years and his stern demeanor was respected by every man on the ship. He would be a difficult man to replace, but I truly felt young Robert Lynch would be up for the job.
I strolled over to the rail nearest where the young man was working.
“Good morning, Robert,” I said jovially.
He stopped fumbling with the rope in his hands and gazed down upon me.
“Good morning, Captain. Beautiful weather for sailing,” he replied with a smile.
“Aye, it is. Robert I was wondering if I may ask a favor of you.”
The smile he’d been wearing vanished and his face turned serious. His brown eyes widened.
“Of course, sir. What do you need?”
“As you know, Isaac Norington was cut down by the redcoats when our ship was taken five days ago,” I began.
Robert’s serious expression turned somber as he thought of Norington. He nodded in acknowledgement.
“His death puts me in an unfortunate predicament here and now, a mere few hours away from setting sail,” I said. “It’s hard to replace a man like Norington, and well, I just feel you’d be perfect for the job if you’re interested.”
“Are you asking me to be boatswain, Captain Redd?” the young man asked, in somewhat disbelief.
“What say you? Are you up for the task?”
Robert opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off suddenly by the shrill voice of “Jolly” Jack Porter, the ship’s cook who had apparently been eavesdropping on the conversation from nearby. He was a wise old bloke with lots of stories. When he spoke, the other pirates listened. He only had three fingers on his right hand (the other two were cut off during a raid of a Spanish fort over ten years ago), but he pointed the remaining ragged digits straight up at Robert.
“Robert is a fine choice, Cap’n,” he said. “It’s for certain he is…and you better accept the offer laddie or I’ll give you a swift kick in the arse.”
Robert smiled, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You heard Jolly Jack,” I said. “I think the matter is settled.”
Robert shook his head and gazed out to sea, way beyond the harbor. I could tell he was still mulling it over. I leaned closer to him in an effort to keep the rest of our conversation more private.
“Robert, I haven’t forgotten your reason for turning to piracy six years ago,” I said softly.
He whipped his head in my direction, his eyes narrowed and a flicker of fury burned there a moment.
“What are you saying, Captain?”
“I’m saying that the prize you seek is within reach now,” I replied slyly.
“If what you say is true, then I’d be honored to be your boatswain, sir,” he agreed quickly. “I swear upon my life that I will do my duties to the absolute best of my ability.”
“I do not doubt you,” I replied. “Now, are you ready for your first task?”
Robert stared at me; a somewhat surprised look appeared on his face. He seemed taken off guard with his first order as boatswain coming so soon. He hurriedly climbed down from the rigging and stood tall before me.
“Yes, of course, Captain. What do you need?”
“Go into town and fetch the rest of the crew. There’s no need to tell them of your new position just yet. I’ll do that honor once we set sail.”
Robert’s eager mood suddenly became more subdued and his shoulders slumped.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“No sir—well …it’s just…what if they won’t listen to me Captain?”
“Then we’ll bloody leave the worthless scugs behind, Robert,” I snapped. “However, I don’t expect many of them to give you a lot of resistance. After so narrowly escaping the gallows, they’ll probably be eager to pull up anchor. I plan to be at sea just before dusk.”
“Aye, sir. I’ll be back on board in time,” he replied.
I watched Robert jog down the gangplank until he disappeared in the vast crowds hurrying about on the streets. I turned back to the men that remained. They continued to do their duties and I trusted them to do so in my absence.
I turned away and set off for the gangplank. Andrea began to follow and no sooner had I set foot onto the plank, I noticed a trio of red coats walking up the other end. I
took a step back to let them board.
Andrea looked at me uneasily and pulled her wide brimmed hat down over her eyes. I was suddenly very grateful for the change of clothes John had given her the night before. She wisely took a moment to change before settling in for the night.
The soldiers immediately looked her way and watched her curiously for a moment. Next, they scanned over the rest of my crew. They looked upon the men as if they were nothing more than cockroaches.
“Captain, I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the incident that occurred last night,” one of the soldiers said. I immediately recognized his voice; he was the soldier that conducted the search on John’s wagon the night before. His appearance was pretty much as I pictured. His straight blonde hair was brought up into a ponytail upon the back of his head. He had a thinly trimmed mustache and blue eyes that seemed to be set slightly too far apart. He seemed to point his stubby nose and cleft chin upward as he spoke to me. The other two soldiers flanked him on both sides, stone-faced. I guessed that he outranked both of them.
“I’m afraid I haven’t heard about any incident,” I replied coolly. “What the devil happened?”
The two soldiers on either side of him suddenly peered at me with smug expressions. I heard one of them stifle a laugh. Their leader, blondie, flashed his white teeth at me and shook his head.
“Mr. Reeves, I think I should tell you immediately that I do not appreciate liars. In fact I despise them. Pirates, such as you, are notorious liars.” His eyes narrowed and his blue eyes seemed to grow darker. “Don’t lie to me, Mr. Reeves. I’m going to ask you again, do you know anything about last night’s incident?”
I wasn’t very surprised by the soldier’s attitude since I’d become acquainted with it during the night. He seemed to be pushing me rather quickly. I probably should have refrained from pushing back, but I just didn’t want to.
“Do you have a name, soldier?” I asked.
“Flynn…Augustus Flynn,” he answered proudly.
“Right. Mr. Flynn, first of all when you address me, you shall call me Captain Reeves.” I watched his eyes widen in disbelief. “Secondly, I answered your question once and if you accuse me of lying once again I’m going to make you eat those bloody words.”
