Ram; being the tale of one Ramillies Anstruther, 1704-55 ..

by Taylor, Winchcombe

  From the narrow beach a steep path led up to the bluff's top, twenty feet above water. There, around a large wooden crane, people had gathered to cheer and wave in welcome.

  The new arrivals—Lucinda needing much help—scrambled up. Inland before them stretched a meadowlike savannah, a mile broad and five long, and enclosed on three sides by a vast pine forest. Raw stumps showed where vagrants had been cleared from the town's site, but four had been left near the bluff's edge, and under them was a tent from which a man emerged—Oglethorpe.

  "Welcome, madam, welcome!" he cried, bending over Lucinda's hand, the soul of gallantry, though his silver-buckled shoes were scuffed and his elegantly cut coat was torn and soiled. "Sirs, your servant." He began asking about the voyage.

  Lucinda had curtsied deeply; but now she was clutching Ram's arm, her lips quivering, her eyes shocked. Whatever she had imagined Savannah could be after only two weeks' existence was certainly not this. For all there was were two clapboard houses, some booths for stores, several large tents and men carrying lumber for more homes. Eastward was the battery whence the welcome had been fired, and close to the forest southward was the small camp of the regulars. Otherwise, nothing.

  Ram, however, was surprised at how much had been done. But now he must find out where he could land his long-pent cattle.

  "The island," Oglethorpe told him. "We've five score head there already, Carolina's donation. When you've landed yours, warp back under the crane and we'll help unload ye. I hope you've brought strong backs, for most here are town bred and devilish unused to toil." When he learned that Ram had lots of sturdy Yorkshire muscle aboard, he beamed and turned to shoo away the crowd. "Back to work, friends! Minutes count, if we're all to be housed before hot weather comes. Time enough for greetings later."

  He led Ram a little inland and indicated an east-west line of stakes. "Here's our first street. You can choose your real lot later, but use what land ye need meanwhile to get your people and stores under cover. And now, Ramillies, excuse me. There's a thousand details to building a town, and folk here think I know every one of them."

  "First this." Ram handed him the trustees' letter. "It reached me at Liverpool just before we sailed. Mr. Martyn's coering note suggested its importance." He watched closely as the other read it. If Bacon was indeed one of his agents, surely he'd show concern that the spy had been discovered?

  But Oglethorpe merely asked if Ram knew its contents. "Good. Then you're aware there's little harm the rogue can do us—yet. The world knows we're but making a mere settlement for poor folks beside a river, so what use spying on us? Not till we've grown many-fold can we have designs worth worming from us. Adieu until later."

  He returned to his tent and Ram, still suspicious, went to give his orders: Rob must get the stock ashore on the island; Joseph would see to the weapons and camp gear when the pink came back under the bluff. But when he suggested that Lucinda might care to remain with him, she complained of a sudden vertigo and said she'd return aboard to rest.

  Rebuffed, he went to choose a camp site and was hailed by Noble Jones who was checking lot numbers from a plat sheet.

  "Welcome indeed! I'd have greeted ye sooner, but Father begrudges every instant we're not at work." He grinned at Ram's surprise. "Aye, so we call Mr. Oglethorpe. He looks after us as if he were parent to us all." He pointed to a south-running double row of stakes. "That's Bull Street, named after the colonel. If Oglethorpe's

  our father, Bull and the other Carohnians—Barlow, St. Julian and Woodward—are our godfathers. Lud knows what we'd do without their Negro saw)'ers. We've carpenters enough, but we're cursedly short of saw men."

  "I've only one myself," Ram admitted. "Likely I should have brought half a dozen."

  "We'll help you, for we're all one big family—as yet," Jones grinned. "Father's divided the town into wards, which are subdivided into tithings, each with ten house lots. We're barely enough to fill one ward yet; but later!" He paused. "Knowing the best sites, I've alreadv picked my town lot and garden—got my eye on a likely farm too—and I'd be honored if you'd care to be my neighbor."

  When Ram said he'd be most happy to, Jones unrolled his plat. "Then I'll mark you next to me in here—if Father approves."

  They went to the bluff's edge to watch the stock going ashore on the island. Already Alan o' Bowes was being led down the gangway, and when he felt firm ground he whinnied and kicked until his groom let him free to tear up great bunches of grass. Next went a mare with a spindle-legged colt and the rest of the horses. The four black bulls followed, bellowing protests until they, too, discovered the limitless grass under their stamping hoofs. Then came the gaunt cows and with them a few calves.

  "Egad, Noah, what else is in your Ark?" Jones laughed, yet with a new respect. "That Yorkshire estate of yours must be well stocked."

  "Overstocked, you mean. There's no price for animals these days. Ah, there's the sheep and swine. All that's left are the fowls and three couples of hounds. But I've thirty-odd people, including a newborn babe."

  "A reinforcement indeed! If more come like you, we'll soon rival Carolina." They returned inland and Jones helped Ram to mark the tent sites, where the necessaries could be dug—at a decent distance toward the forest—and where the cargo could be piled. He pointed to the stores booths. "Thatched with palmetto leaves. The Carolinians insist they're impervious to rain. And now. Captain, servant. I've more streets to lay out."

  He left and Ram went back to the bluff. Already the pink had left the island, warped in so close that the crane towered above its main hold. "All my people ashore except mothers with babes!" he shouted. "They'll remain till we've proper accommodation for them."

  A cheer answered him and, the older children leading, there was a rush to land and scramble up to view the new country.

  Giving orders here, lending a hand there, Ram organized the camp. The cumbersome crane creaked and groaned, but tents, cots, cooking pots, food and weapons were soon ashore and carried inland. Later some of the originals, their own work done, came to help, among whom was Joseph's friend, ex-Sergeant Carwell, now in command of the battery. Also Surgeon Cox, Bailiffs Gordon, Waterland and Causton, Signor Amatis, the Piedmontese silk weaver, and many others.

  Their envy was audible when the four wagon bodies came ashore, followed by their wheels, for these were the first vehicles in the colony. There was more envy for the Irish salt beef, bacon, butter and tallow Ram had bought at Cork. Each new load was gaped at and admired.

  But most interest was for the camp's layout. Two great piles of stores were in the center. West was the parade ground and a small tent for Peg-Leg and Rob. Bluffward stood tents for Ram and Lu-cinda, and Joseph and Maria. On the east was a large one for the women and children, near the cooking area, and southward was the men's tent. The stores were thus protected on all sides; not that Ram feared pilfering but in order to condition his people for the future, when his grant might lie miles away in the wilderness.

  Similarly, as the sun slid behind the pines, Ronald Tait, Peg-Leg's boy, beat a roll on his drum that sent every man running to slip on his coat, his belt with its bullet pouch, hanger and bayonet, sling his powder horn and shoulder his musket. All converged upon the parade ground, where Peg-Leg fell them in and called the roll. Joseph, as ensign, received his report and inspected the men. Then, after Rob, as quartermaster, took post in rear. Ram himself appeared. "Present arms!" Joseph bawled and, saluting with his sword, reported, "Company all present and correct, sir."

  Ram glanced toward the battery. The timing was good. Even as he gave the order to load without ball, Carwell and his small guard were falling in, and the tattoo was being beaten in the regular's camp. As the sunset gun boomed and the flag came down, Ram ordered, "Give fire!" and his men's volley reverberated away into the forest.

  Before dismissing the parade, Joseph detailed a guard of three to watch through the night. Ram felt that the long hours of drill aboard the Endurance had been well worth while; his peopl
e were fair soldiers.

  Weary now, he went toward his tent. A lamp glowed in it and he wondered how Lucinda would enjoy being under canvas. She wasn't there. Two cots had been set up and his portmanteau was opened, but none of her things. He felt humiliation rather than anger. Surely she wouldn't disobey his order that all women without babes must sleep ashore! Taking the lamp, he left the tent.

  It was already dark as he descended the path. Some of the ship's crew had built a driftwood fire on the strand and were singing over noggins of rum. Boarding the pink, he went below. The door of his cabin was ajar and Margot was saying: "Madame, 'e ees like 'im as two peas. And Mar' Bullet, she say ze girl was pregnant before ze peasant 'e marry 'er."

  "What fools men are in their appetites," came Lucinda's comment. "Lann can cause him much trouble."

  Gossip! he thought irritably. Dangerous in so small a community; best check it at once. He advanced with deliberate heaviness. "Lucinda!"

  There was a startled gasp. "Yes, my love, I'm here. But my poor head aches dreadfully." He entered in time to see Margot hiding a brandy bottle.

  "M'dear, only women suckling babes may remain aboard," he told Lucinda slowly. "Our tent is ready."

  Her hands flew to her temples. "Oh, why did ye trap me into this? Trees, trees, everywhere! And no one to associate with but broken debtors and females of the lowest order. I'll die if ye don't send me back to Charles Town at once!"

  "Take what your mistress needs," he bade Margot curtly. "You'll sleep with the other women."

  "No!" Lucinda wailed. "I must have her with me."

  "You think me no longer able to protect you?"

  She glared at him, then fell to weeping forlornly.

  "Go," he told the maid, and she left with Lucinda's portmanteau and a bundle of her own.

  ?28

  He turned back to Lucinda. "M'dear, may I remind you Maria and the other women look to you to set them example?"

  Shuddering, she looked around the small cabin that had been her home so long, picked up a pot of pomade and her parasol and followed him meekly. But once in the tent she insisted she couldn't possibly retire without Margot's aid. He choked back a curse. Lights in the other tents had already been doused.

  "Very well. Good night, dear, I'm sure your vapors will be gone by morning." Taking a blanket, he went to the women's tent and called Margot. She came at once, still fully dressed. "Monsieur?'* "Use my cot," he told her. "Be sure your mistress rests well." "And Monsieur? You weel not sleep in ze tent?" "I'll do well enough," he snapped. Devil take her, what did her tone imply; derision, mockery—or regret?

  He went toward the watch fire. Ecod, if the jade's behind Luc-inda's defiance, I'll—! But he knew his wife now. She'd tried her strength and failed. She'd be obedient—until next time.

  The sentr}', Joseph's carpenter, Tom Jewell, challenged him. He gave the password, "New Prosperity," and was allowed to approach. "All's well, Captain," Jewell reported. "Any orders, sir?" "Walk your post and take no alarm if ye hear wild beasts, they'll not come near the fire." Ram threw on another log, selected an upwind spot and dug a small hole with his sword point. Loosening his clothes, he wrapped the blanket around him and settled his hip in the hole, using his hat for a pillow.

  From within the forest came the coughing snarl of some animal, curiously reminiscent of that night on the machan with Nur Mohammed. But that had been long, long ago.

  The new log hissed and flared. He reopened his heavy eyes. Across from him lay the two snoring guards, beyond the firelight all was bathed in the pale glow of the rising moon. Hindustan, England and now—America. It was good to lie there, with smoke in his nostrils. As he reclosed his eyes, he had a sense of familiarity, as if he'd returned to something he never should have left.

  He was up at dawn, but barely had he started his people to work when Oglethorpe appeared.

  "Come, meet some original owners of the land," the latter invited, as they walked upriver along the bluff. "Yonder live the Yama-craws, a small offshoot of the Creek nation. Their mico, Tomochichi, who's very old and very wise, seeks King George's protection against the Indian allies of the French and the Spaniards."

  " 'Tis hard to think of American savages as Indians," Ram commented. "The old explorers were far out in their reckoning to name 'em so."

  "True, but to the world Indians they'll remain," Oglethorpe laughed.

  As they neared the forest. Ram was astounded to see a well-built log house, with stables, sheds and byres. "Are they so civilized?" he marveled. "I've seen worse in England."

  "The owner's a white man." Oglethorpe hailed, whereupon a figure emerged and waved. "He's John Musgrove and he fares well enough by trading with the Yamacraws. His wife's half Creek. Both serve me as interpreters."

  The man was tall and bearded and wore a jacket and long trousers made of some tanned skin, A woman joined him; she had on only a coarse linen shift and a red stroud petticoat.

  Tliey greeted Oglethorpe deferentially, and Musgrove shook Ram's hand cordially. Ram bowed to Mrs. Musgrove, who curtsied in return. She had a dark ivory skin, slate-blue eyes and coarse black hair.

  Wlien Oglethorpe said he wished to visit the Yamacraw king, Musgrove nodded. "I'll send Mary with ye. I'm awaiting two canoes of Upper Creeks coming down to trade."

  "Not for rum, I trust," Oglethorpe warned. "It's agreed Carolina won't permit her traders selling it south of the river."

  "Rum's the only way to get bargains," the man objected. "The Assembly's never forbid me before."

  "Tliis is now Georgia," Oglethorpe reminded. "Every report I've had—from Mr. Penn and Lord Baltimore and others—agrees that rum's even worse for Indians than it is for our own people."

  "Lose half me trade," Musgrove grumbled. "They'll go over to the Ca'lina side."

  "I'll see you're not the loser." Oglethorpe reassured and turned to the wife. "With your leave, madam?"

  "Yes, sir." She led along a path through the towering pines. Soon the trail gave onto a broad glade in which stood several rough huts. Men paid small heed to the arrivals, but women looked up from their task of grinding corn or fleshing hides, while naked, bronze children raced up to stare and giggle. Mary sent an older boy into one hut, from which a dignified figure soon emerged.

  "King Tomochichi," Olgethorpe whispered. "If ever I live so long, I pray I'll be as active in mind and body. He must be past ninety."

  The old chief smiled and signed for his guests to sit beside him. Mary explained that Ram was a warrior brother of the Beloved Man —as they called Oglethorpe—and had won battles in many lands.

  "The Man of War is welcome," the mico answered. "Waniors of all nations are loved for their valor. My young men will learn from him." He called and Toonahowi, a boy who was his adopted heir, brought him a lighted pipe, from which he drew a few puffs. He handed it to Oglethorpe, who puffed in turn and passed it on to Ram.

  Though almost gagged by the raw weed, the latter smoked stolidly, realizing that this was a ceremony of significance. These people were far more primitive than any he'd met in India, yet their courtesy was impressive. He decided to learn their tongue and try to win their friendship.

  Afterward, Oglethorpe said he wanted Ram to explore the surrounding country. "Spanish Indians sometimes raid this far," he explained. "The Yamacraws will fight beside us in danger, but first we must know the land. Also the French may send their Indians against us from the west. So go when your people are sheltered and your horses fit—and also seek likely land for your own grant."

  Ram was delighted, but first he had much to do. Most urgent was to cope with Lucinda's terror of the wilderness. A way appeared when Burrows said he was taking the Endurance back to Charles Town for a cargo of rice and lumber, which he'd trade in the Bahamas for rum, sugar and molasses to sell at Liverpool. Since Ram also needed rice until a crop came in, Lucinda could buy it in Charles Town and also hire three white sawyers. He gave her £200 gold and said she need not return until the house was finished.
r />   So it was a gay young wife who waved him adieu from the pink's

  stern, feeling very brave, because Mrs. Noble Jones and the other women had praised her for making a new voyage before she had even recovered from the first.

  On the same day that Lucinda was dropping downriver aboard the Endurance, to return to Charles Town, a thickset man with a rolling gait was rapping on a door in a quiet Havana street. He chewed the quid in his mouth, spat juice into the dust and vowed he would make the new-arrived official from Madrid pay him his due.

  He rapped again. Damnation, these poxed Dons was all the same! Mananal Ne'er in a hurry to serve a decent man. Can't even answer a knock.

  A grille opened and framed a broad Negro face. "Sefior?"

  "His Excellence expects me," the visitor growled in poor Spanish.

  The black admitted him and led him across a flower-scented patio and into a sunlit room, where he left him.

  Soon a man of military bearing entered. His face was impassive, but under white brows his eyes were alert and cold. "Senor Bacon?" he queried, crossing to an escritoire.

  "That's me, Excellence," the other agreed. "They say ye talk English, so with permission I'll use it. I can think better then."

  "Very well," the other nodded distastefully. "I've just arrived, you understand, else I would have sent for you earlier." Taking a memorandum from the desk, he glanced at it. "You left London in July. You have information you claim to be vitally important to the authorities here. In return, you wish to be employed and paid well, and you're willing to undertake secret missions to the English colonies. Is that correct?"

  "Aye, Excellence. But I've bin like to starve, waiting for someone to use me. Now I'm told it's Your Excellence I must serve."

  "What are the details of this new colony?"

  Thomas Bacon shifted uneasily. "There weren't much settled afore I sailed, sir, but I got a list of them what's named trustees for this Georgia Colony. 'Tis to be a military outpost for Carolina."