by Zugg, Victor
The five remaining boarded the jolly boat and made their way across to the sloop.
Dorothy waited in the boat with the two oarsmen while Mason, John, Captain Darby, and Worthington climbed aboard.
“May I present the sloop Majestic,” Worthington said, as he stepped upon the deck.
Having never been aboard or even seen an eighteenth century sloop, Mason didn’t know what to expect. It was made of wood, had a mast, and lots of lines, but beyond that Mason didn’t know if the ship would continue to float or sink. At the moment it was floating just fine, rolling with the harbor’s gentle waves.
John proceeded to finger the lines, the rolled up sails, and the hardware as he and Mason walked from bow to stern.
Captain Darby and Worthington waited at the spot they came aboard.
“What do you think?” Mason asked in a low tone.
John took in a deep breath, exhaled, and shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve, of course, never seen one of these. But it’s a single masted sloop. Looks to be fifty feet with an eighteen foot or so beam. Gaff rigged with a main sail and jib, probably multiple jibs.” He bent down and massaged the deck with one hand. “I’m guessing this is cedar, which is better than oak when it comes to wood destroying organisms.”
Mason scanned the deck from the bow to the raised sterncastle which accommodated what he guessed was a single cabin spanning the width of the stern. It had to have a low ceiling given the height of the structure.
“Can you sail her?”
John scanned the length of the ship. “Not alone. This is a small ship, probably 25 tons or so, but labor intensive.”
“Okay, can we sail her?”
“I think we should hire a couple of guys for a shakedown,” John said.
Mason nodded. “Any idea what this thing is worth?”
“Don’t have a clue.”
Mason followed John to a raised, covered hatch, about four feet square, in the center of the deck just behind the mast. The two of them slid the cover back which revealed the hold with maybe five feet of head room. Mason followed John aft to a second, smaller raised hatch and ladder just in front of the wheel. Both were a few feet in front of the sterncastle.
Mason followed John down the ladder to the lower deck.
“This would be the hold,” John said. “For cargo. Two decks, the one above and the hold. Below this would be the bilge. Definitely used for short-run cargo. Don’t see any obvious water infiltration.” He walked aft to a second cabin positioned directly below the sterncastle. He opened the wood slatted door and peered inside the completely empty room. “Crew quarters I would guess.”
“This should work for our needs,” Mason said. He motioned with his head for John to follow him back up to the main deck where they proceeded to examine the small aft cabin, the various lines in more detail, the wheel, the mast for cracks, and all other aspects of the ship.
“What do you think?” Worthington asked, as Mason and John returned to where he and Captain Darby were standing.
“I think she might do,” Mason said. “How much?”
Both Worthington and Captain Darby raised their eyebrows.
Mason immediately realized his abruptness. Apparently people in this age weren’t so direct.
Worthington cleared his throat and gazed at Mason for several long seconds. “Two hundred quid.”
According to what Dorothy had said when they found the treasure, a British pound was equal to about three Spanish silver dollars. Six hundred dollars more or less. While he was trying to figure out how to respond he saw Dorothy step onto the deck.
She walked over and ushered Mason away by the elbow.
“Offer four hundred dollars,” she whispered. “If you accept full price, they’ll think we’re complete fools.”
Mason turned back to Captain Darby and Worthington. “We can afford four hundred dollars.”
“You have silver?” Worthington asked.
Mason nodded.
“Five hundred,” Worthington said, as he thrust out his hand.
Mason grasped Worthington’s hand and smiled.
Smiles grew across Worthington’s and Captain Darby’s faces.
“Plus ten percent as my finder’s fee,” Captain Darby said, as he continued to smile.
“Of course,” Mason said.
“Let’s head back to shore,” Worthington said, “and I’ll get a bill-of-sale drawn up. Should have it ready first thing tomorrow.”
“That sounds fine,” Mason said.
“And could you point out a couple of able-bodied men for a shakedown cruise?” John asked.
“There are plenty of those around,” Captain Darby said. “Let’s say we meet at your tavern tomorrow morning at nine to wrap up this sale.”
“Sounds fine,” Mason said. “Would you mind if a couple of us spend the night aboard?”
“Don’t mind at all,” Worthington said.
◆◆◆
By noon the next day, with all the business out of the way and the bill-of-sale in hand, Mason, Dorothy, and the two extra hands identified by Captain Darby joined Nathan, Jeremy, Mato, and the two braves already on the sloop. The two hands had agreed to one shilling each for the day. Mason liked both men. They were quiet and seemed capable.
Mason immediately turned back to the gunwale and pulled on a length of rope, hand-over-hand, until a large copper cooking pot, an axe, and two shovels appeared, all tied to the end of the rope. Mason untied the items, sent the rope back down, and handed the pot, axe, and one of the shovels to Mato. “Thank you my friend for all that you have done for us.”
Mato stared at the gifts. He finally took the items and gave a slight nod of his chin. Nothing needed to be said.
Mason turned back to the gunwale, pulled on the rope, and with Jeremy’s help plopped three large bags over the railing. “Potatoes, carrots, and rice will go a long way toward making the venison and fish stews more palatable.” Other items they brought aboard included two wooden pails, wooden bowls and spoons, two wooden ladles, table salt, and needles and thread. Some were suitable for sail repair.
With everything aboard, John climbed on deck and approached the two hands, Malcolm and Sean.
After a brief conversation, the two men immediately went about preparing the ship to get underway.
Everyone stood watching not sure what they should do as the two men secured the jolly boat to the stern, untied the ropes securing the main sailcloth, and hoisted the gaff with the throat and peak lines. With the sail slack in the slight wind they hoisted the anchor. Malcolm manned the wheel; Sean set the boom and rolled out the jib. They made it look easy.
Slowly the ship began to move.
“She’ll be sluggish,” John said, “until the barnacles are scraped from her hull. I’m guessing a ship like this could do twelve knots with a clean hull; probably just eight knots as she is.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon taking the ship through various maneuvers just outside the mouth of Charles Town harbor. They adjusted the sails against down winds, up winds, and winds on the beam at various angles. All the survivors, including Dorothy, had a chance to man the wheel, lower, raise, and trim the sails, and manage the various lines and sheets.
“As long as we don’t run into a hurricane we should be good,” John said to Mason, as the two of them watched Nathan and Jeremy hoist the sails.
“We can head out first light,” Mason said.
“The others will be wondering what happened to us,” John said.
Mason took the wheel from Dorothy as the boat began to move once more. “What’s the draft on this thing?” he asked, looking at John.
“Probably five or six feet without the center board,” John said.
“So we can park her in the inlet near the camp?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” John said. “We’ll need to pull her in using the jolly boat.”
Mason turned his attention back to steering the boat. With the return to camp only one night away, he thou
ght of Karen, Lisa, and the others. He thought about how taking things one day at a time had brought him and the others to this point. Settling in Charles Town seemed like the only logical option and buying the boat was the best way to get everyone to town. He wondered about leaving someone behind, probably Dorothy, with the rest of the Spanish dollars to secure a place for everyone to stay. With twenty people to worry about it would have to be sizable. But leaving her behind would be a giant risk, especially to her. Neither Jeremy nor Nathan was dressed well enough to stay behind with her. He decided that leaving her was not a good idea. Everyone would be returning to Myrtle Beach.
CHAPTER 18
With beam and broad reach winds, the sloop ran well along the coast. She was not equipped with a compass, but then one wasn’t needed as long as they remained close to land. They could use the sun for direction.
John estimated they were clicking along at about seven knots which meant they could be pulling into the inlet at Myrtle Beach in about ten hours.
Mason stood at the bow and gazed at the open ocean to his right and the coastline to his left. He watched a couple of porpoises keep pace with the bow as it sliced through the water. He glanced back at the crew. John stood behind the wheel, Jeremy had just finished securing the main sail’s boom, and the others, including Mato and his braves, were scattered about the main deck.
“You look like you’re deep in thought,” Dorothy said, as she walked up.
“I’m just wondering if we can house everyone aboard this ship when we return to Charles Town.”
“There’s plenty of room above and below,” she said, “as long as no one is prone to seasickness.”
Mason nodded.
“Is that it, we live the rest of our lives aboard this boat?” Dorothy asked.
“You’re starting to sound like Nathan.”
“He does have a point,” Dorothy said.
Mason glanced at Nathan standing next to John at the wheel. “He does.”
Dorothy cocked her head.
“I’m still taking things one day at a time,” Mason said. “You’re the anthropologist.”
“Maybe we should think about buying some property while we have the funds. With twenty people to worry about—” she stared off at the coast line. “I don’t know.”
“You changed back into your buckskins. Cooler?”
“Much,” Dorothy said.
He put a hand on Dorothy’s shoulder as he took a step. “Your knowledge about this time period has been invaluable. Not sure where we would be without your input.”
Dorothy gave a slight nod as Mason continued toward the aft cabin along the rolling deck.
◆◆◆
Mason, standing next to John at the wheel, pointed to the inlet just north of the camp.
John nodded as he turned the wheel. He motioned for Jeremy to adjust the main sail boom for the downwind. Less than a hundred yards from shore, the sails were lowered. Soon the ship glided to an almost full stop and bobbed with the rollers.
Using the jolly boat manned by Mason, Nathan, Jeremy, and Mato, it took the next two hours to pull the ship into the inlet against the gentle outflow. They finally dropped the anchor in about fifteen feet of water fifty yards out from the fish trap.
Mason felt like he was home when he and the others stepped to the edge of camp.
Jeremy and Nathan lowered the bags of food from their shoulders to the sand.
Lisa, Karen, and Angie were busy at the central campfire. Manny, Travis, and Tito were at the smoking racks. Apparently hunting over the last week had gone well. And the others were in various states of recline around the camp or busy with menial chores.
Koji was the first to spot Mason and the others. He just pointed with his arm fully extended until his mother noticed.
A broad smile spread across Hana’s face. “They’re back.”
Nearly everyone in unison turned their head toward the group and suddenly rushed forward.
“We actually didn’t expect you back this soon,” Karen said, as she hugged Mason.
“We found a better mode of transportation.” Mason said, as he wrapped his arms around her.
At that point the entire camp fell into a loud chorus of questions all blended together into an indecipherable jumble of voices.
Mason finally held up his hand. “All in good time.”
When the rumble died off, Mason turned to Mato and extended his hand. “Thank you again my friend.”
The two men shook hands.
“You stay or go?” Mato asked.
“We need to explain everything to the camp,” Mason said. “Then we’ll decide. We’ll be here for at least a couple of days. I’ll let you know when we decide to leave.”
Mato tightened his lips and nodded at his braves. The three of them started off carrying the various supplies they had accumulated.
When they were out of sight, Mason turned to Karen. “What’s for dinner?”
◆◆◆
After a bath in the stream behind the camp and dinner consisting of a venison and vegetable stew, Mason got everyone’s attention. Sitting on the mat in front of his hut in his period clothing, he described in detail the trip, the town, Francois’ shop, and the purchase of the sloop.
“There are pros and cons to relocating to Charles Town,” Dorothy said from her seat to Mason’s right. “We’ve been able to determine that the year is 1720. At this time in history, Charles Town is immersed in political turmoil. There is still the threat of attack from Spanish and French forces. History says none of those threats come to fruition, but we don’t know what impact our arrival will have on the situation. And there are still threats of Indian uprisings, one in particular that I know of. The Waccamaw will attack the colonial trading post near Georgetown.”
“Why doesn’t Mato trade his furs there?” Jeremy asked. “It’s much closer than Charles Town.”
Dorothy turned to Jeremy. “The colonists were less than fair with regard to their treatment of the Indians, especially when it came to trade.
“Hence the coming attack on Georgetown,” Mason said.
Dorothy nodded. “I suspect Mato feels he can get much more for his furs if he goes to the source. He’s essentially cutting out the middleman.”
“And the pros?” Mildred asked.
“Safer in numbers,” Mason said. “Access to more goods and services.”
“I have to tell you,” Nathan said, “the place really stinks. Sanitation is nonexistent. It’s crowded. I actually think we’re better off here.”
“First you want to go and now you want to stay,” Mason said. “You really need to make up your mind.”
Nathan smirked.
“During the Yemassee War years, people in the outlying areas moved closer to Charles Town,” Dorothy said. “The fields went unattended and food was scarce. Droughts, like the one we’re in now, didn’t help things. But that is changing. Charles Town will continue to grow and prosper. With our knowledge and abilities, we could thrive, even prosper.”
“We have the boat,” Nathan said. “We could travel to Charles Town when needed. We could build better homes here now that we have access to tools. Cabins, even houses.”
Mason saw several people nod and sensed Nathan was making headway with his argument. “Life won’t be easy no matter what we decide. There are risks. Many of us won’t survive either way. I just think we’re better off closer to what little civilization there is. Eventually my ammunition will run out. The Lenape could return or some other not-so-friendly tribe.”
“Many of the tribes in the east are being pushed out of their homelands by colonial expansion,” Dorothy said. “There was lots of movement around this time. And that might explain why the Lenape, a mostly northern tribe, around Delaware, are branching into new areas.”
“What if we can’t come to a consensus?” Tom Green asked.
“I can’t force anyone to do anything,” Mason said. “I just think we’ll be better off in Charles Town.”
“So what do we do now?” Nathan asked. “Vote?”
“If you want,” Mason said. “I think we should all stay together, but there’s nothing keeping us from splitting up.”
“I take it you’re headed for Charles Town,” Nathan said.
“I think so,” Mason responded. “We’ll have a better chance for survival there, or near there. You’re the one who suggested we buy a plantation.”
Nathan didn’t respond.
“We don’t have to make the move all at once,” Mason said. “Probably better if we don’t. We have the ship. We can travel back and forth as Nathan said. Maybe insert ourselves slowly.” Mason saw Nathan give a subtle nod. “But I think we should start the transition now.”
“Let’s sleep on it,” Dorothy said.
With that, the meeting broke up, and everyone moved off as they continued to talk among themselves. Nathan, Toby, and surprisingly, Gail Thomas formed the core of one such smaller group.
“What do you think?” Karen asked, as she stepped closer to Mason and Dorothy.
Mason closed his eyes as he rubbed his beard. He opened his eyes. “I don’t know.”
“By the way,” Karen said, “you’re starting to look a little shaggy with that beard.”
“Good thing I picked up a pair of scissors in Charles Town,” he said. “I could use a hand with that.”
Karen smiled and with a nod to Dorothy, the two of them moved off toward Mason’s hut.
◆◆◆
The next morning, John, Tito, and Travis along with Hana, Asumi, and Koji headed off to work on the ship. The decks needed a good cleaning and there were several spots in the sails that needed repair.
Lisa, Angie, and Jeremy tagged along but would be gathering whatever fish had accumulated in the trap. Jeremy would stay behind after the fishing to help with the ship’s maintenance. Mason was sure Jeremy was more interested in Lisa than he was fishing or the ship.
Mason, back in his jeans and buckskin shirt, headed out with Manny, Tom Green, Dorothy, and Karen in the direction of Mato’s village. Armed with bows and arrows, they planned to do some hunting along the way, but mainly Mason wanted to check in with Mato before he headed out again for Charles Town.
