A Certain Threat (The Merriman Chronicles Book 1)

by Roger Burnage

  “A bad business,” commented the Captain as they watched the visitors depart, “Because I am, or was, a naval man, they seem to imagine that I know the mind of seafaring men and can tell them what these villains will do next. Anyway James, enough of that now. Did you enjoy your ride? Tell me where you went.”

  “Yes, I enjoyed the ride, although I found the saddle much harder than I remembered it. I found muscles I’d forgotten I had.” His father laughed as Merriman continued , “I saw nobody I know except a doctor and his daughter with whom I had travelled from London.”

  “A doctor eh! That is interesting. You remember old Doctor Jenkins who looked after the family for many years? Well, he passed away two or three months ago and as yet we haven’t found a replacement for him. What do you know about this fellow traveller of yours?”

  “Very little really, Father. His name is William Simpson and he spent twenty or more years in India in the service of John Company. His wife died out there and he has returned with his daughter Helen, as he promised his wife, to show her where their original home is. Apparently they live not too far from here.”

  “Excellent,” said his father, “You must arrange for them to visit us James, A new face at table is always welcome, especially someone who may have something new to talk about. I’ll have a word with your mother about it. And that reminds me, your mother and I are worried about your hand and arm. It is many months since you were wounded and you are still wearing that bandage. Surely it should have healed by now?”

  “Yes, Sir, but it still pains me if it strikes against anything, which is why I keep it covered and I think it is healing, at least as best it can.” To change the subject he sniffed the air, saying “I’m hungry and I’m sure Annie will have one of her special pies on the table.”

  His father shook his head and followed him inside.

  For the next few days nothing occurred to disturb the peaceful existence to which Merriman was slowly becoming accustomed, a far cry from the hectic life at sea where there was always some decision for the captain of a King’s ship to make . The chief revenue officer had sent a message by one of the riding officers to tell them that a new cutter was to be supplied from the yard of John Gely of Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

  “Fine ships he builds,” said the officer “but it will be some time before it arrives here, though we are to have one that is almost completed and intended for another station, even then we will have to find a local crew, which won’t be easy after what has happened.”

  Four days after his departure, Owen returned. When Merriman saw him trudging up the carriageway, he looked so downcast and miserable that it was obvious that he was not the cheerful sailor that had so looked forward to seeing his family again. Merriman immediately called him into the front hall of the house.

  “What’s the matter with you man? You look as if you’d just been flogged.”

  Owen shuffled his feet, coughed and mumbled, “I’ll be alright Sir.”

  “Damn it man, speak up. You are my responsibility now, so if you have problems I want to know about them and help if I can. Come on, out with it.”

  Owen looked up with such misery on his face that Merriman was quite taken aback.

  “Here, come inside and sit down man. Get this brandy down you and tell me what the trouble is.”

  In his agitation, the Welsh lilt in Owen’s voice became more pronounced.

  “Aye, Sir, very grateful Sir, that helps. Well Sir, you’ll ‘ave ‘eard about the Revenue ship taken by pirates or smugglers; my young brother Aled was in her, part of the crew ‘e was, all killed, not a man left alive. When I got home Sir, seems that me Mam died only three days ago. The shock, you see. She were old and wore out Sir, and with me being away and Da dead of drowning years gone, she depended on Aled. They tell me she asked for me before she-------before she ----if only I’d been home a few days earlier she might not -----.” He couldn’t go on, his face twisted with misery.

  Merriman put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “I’m sorry Owen, really sorry. If there’s anything I can do; perhaps you want to go back home for a few days more?”

  “No Sir, there’s nothing to go back to now. I’ve seen the grave Sir, they were both put in with my Da. No, I’ve nothing now. Even the house belonged to somebody else.”

  The big sailor lurched to his feet, “I’d dearly like to find the scum who did this and set about ‘em with a cutlass Sir, straight I would.”

  “Yes, I know you would,” replied Merriman. “Meanwhile, the authorities are doing all they can to discover who is responsible and I’ll tell you if there is any news. Remember that you are part of this household now and my responsibility. Be off to the kitchen now and ask Annie for something to eat. We’ll talk again later.”

  Later that day, after giving the matter some serious thought, Merriman called for Owen to come in again. “Owen, when you were over in Wales, did you hear anything, anything at all which may have a bearing on this bad business?”

  “No Sir, not that I know Sir, except that they told me the only survivor was a boy. It was my brother what saved him Sir, and the fishermen who found them adrift in a boat, said my brother was still alive then, but all ‘e said ‘fore he died was something about French and Irish. Dunno if that means anything, I reckon ‘e was just rambling. But I did go to see the boy sir.”

  “Did you, and how is he? Did you learn anything from him?”

  “He’s recovering Sir, they got the musket ball out and his Mam told me that ‘e should be on his feet again in a few days. He couldn’t tell me anything except that ‘e was wakened by shouts and shooting and then my brother grabbed him and jumped over the side with him. They was both shot when they climbed into a boat tied astern. Another man cut the painter before ‘e was killed. That’s all Sir.”

  “Little enough I’m afraid, but I’m sure that there must be more to learn.” He paced up and down, hands clasped behind his back..

  “If you were to go back, do you think that by spending time in the inns along the coast there, perhaps pretending to be the worse for drink, you might overhear odd snatches of conversation which might give us some clue?”

  “Maybe Sir,” said Owen doubtfully, “But me bein’ a stranger to most folks, there’s some as would wonder why I was there.”

  “You could say that you were on the run. That when you got back here you were shown no sympathy and you determined to be finished with the navy for good. You would need to be careful though, for if you do come across people who know something or who are involved, your life could be in danger.”

  Owen stood in silence for a few moments, then he straightened up with a determined look on his face. “Be no more dangerous than furling frozen tops’l canvas in a gale Sir, or boarding an enemy ship. I’ll do it. I’ll feel better knowin’ I might be able to do somethin’ to help.”

  “Very good! You’re a sensible man Owen, I rely on you to be careful, but if you think, at anytime, that you are in danger, get away immediately and come back here. Remember, discretion is the better part of valour. Now then, you had better have some money with you, in small coins. It would be better if you hid some of the money, otherwise it might be wondered why a “run” seaman had so much about him. I suggest you go in the middle of the night as though you’d left without leave and with stolen money in your pocket.”

  He thought hard, “As for a weapon, you will have to make do with your knife, You cannot be seen with a pistol. Can you think of anything else?”

  “No Sir, and thank you for giving me this chance Sir. I’ll not let you down Sir.”

  “Never thought you would Owen, here is some money, ask in the kitchen for food to take, but tell no-one where you are going. Now good luck to you and, I emphasize, be careful.”

  A brief “Aye-Aye Sir,” and Owen was gone.

  Chapter 5: A chance meeting in Chester

  The next morning, Merriman’s parents announced that they would be going into Chester the following day to allow the ladies to
look round the shops and possibly to visit friends.

  “We’ll probably stay at the White Lion in Northgate Street if Mr Paul has room for us, or The Feathers in Bridge Street. We’ll see what entertainment there is at the New Theatre or any of the Assembly rooms in the evening,” said Captain Merriman, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “After a good dinner, of course.”

  Merriman recalled the invitation to dinner from his friend Captain Saville and determined to send a message to him immediately by one of the stable boys.

  He told his parents about Captain Saville saying, “I’ll go with you to town. If my friend cannot meet me for dinner, I’ll go to the theatre with you.”

  “Excellent, good idea, send the boy right away. He can also go to the White Lion to reserve rooms for us.”

  So, next day they set off. Merriman’s mother and sister excitedly chattering about laces, ribbons, silks and dresses, whilst Matthew kept on finding questions to ask about life in the navy.

  In the late 18th Century, Chester was a bustling city of some fourteen to fifteen thousand people, well known for the quality of the products produced by its clockmakers, pewterers, cutlers and silversmiths and famous for the ‘Rows’ which had existed from medieval days, consisting of two rows of shops, one above the other. The upper row was set back with a walkway over the lower row. From that upper walkway people could look down upon the crowds in the street below.

  There were delivery boys, street traders ringing bells and shouting to attract custom, servants on errands, apprentices rubbing shoulders with ostlers and stable hands and here and there the inevitable painted whore trying to elicit business, to entice clients into some ramshackle, flea ridden boarding house down one of the innumerable vile and filthy alleys behind the better properties lining the street. There were people window shopping, gossiping in groups or simply strolling about showing off their new fashions. Moving amongst them would be the inevitable pickpockets and street urchins on the lookout for whatever they could steal and beggars, some disfigured or limbless, whining and holding out a cap in the hope of being given a coin or two.

  Into this noisy, smelly, heaving bedlam the Merriman family coach slowly forced its way and finally drew into the relative quiet of the stable yard of the White Lion inn, one of the more than one hundred and forty hotels, inns and taverns in the city, from the better class frequented by the gentry and professional people, to those serving the lesser gentry and wealthier business people, to those lower taverns patronized by the working classes and seamen from the port. All in all it was a typical Georgian city.

  They were quickly settled into their rooms by the innkeeper Mr. Paul and after an early lunch they separated. Mrs. Merriman and her daughter were to visit some of the proliferation of dressmakers, mercers, milliners and glovers to buy some dresses, silks and ribbons. Women’s fashion demanded ever larger bustles and dresses were ornamented with a profusion of bows and ribbons and lace. Hair styles too, were highly complex, wigs being decorated with fruit and flowers and even stuffed birds.

  “Let the ladies go their own way James, they’ll take half the afternoon to buy what they want and the other half looking in shop windows,” said Captain Merriman, “we’re better to keep out of the way, otherwise we’ll be asked our opinion which they’ll take no notice of anyway.”

  James grinned, “Obviously you speak from experience Father, what shall we do whilst they are occupied?”

  “Well, you need some clothes other than your uniform if you are to stay ashore for some time James, and Mr Osgood is an excellent tailor. He’ll have you fitted out as a country gentleman in no time, with breeches, shirts, coats and everything else you need, and I suppose you’ll want some of these dammed trousers which are becoming fashionable nowadays.”

  After an exhausting afternoon the family came together again at the inn. The ladies confessed to being quite fatigued and went up to lie down in their rooms, still chattering as women do, about what they could have purchased instead of what they actually did buy, whilst Merriman and his father relaxed over a drink, discussing what they had seen.

  Merriman was looking forward to meeting his new friend Captain Saville, who had replied to his message, saying that he would meet them at the White Lion, and so, later that evening Merriman entered the public rooms downstairs to find the soldier waiting there.

  I’m delighted to see you again Sir,” smiled Merriman, “And I you Sir,” replied Saville, “I’ve asked the landlord to keep us a table, but perhaps you would like to sit here a while with a drink before we dine?”

  “An excellent thought Captain, let’s do just that.”

  After the drinks arrived, the soldier said “I’d be happy if you would call me by my given name which is Robert, instead of Captain, which is, I think, a trifle formal.”

  “Gladly I will, if you’ll use my name which is James.”

  The two young men grinned at each other in complete accord and fell to discussing and comparing naval and military life.

  “I can’t think how you endure life aboard a ship of war James. No room to move about, rotten food and water and all the while the wretched thing is heaving up and down. I feel positively nauseous at the very thought, sink me if I don’t.”

  Merriman laughed, “It is something that one gets used to and there are compensations for the sailor’s lot. To see a tropical sunrise at sea, or a sunset which puts quite spectacular colours in the sky is to confirm in one the majesty of creation. But best of all I love to be aboard a ship thrashing to windward close-hauled, with the spray flying and the ship’s rigging taut as fiddle strings, all sail set with just a tweak on a bowline here or a sheet there to have the ship on her best point of sailing.” He lapsed into momentary silence, a little embarrassed at his own enthusiasm.

  “Besides, there is always the prospect of some action, or at least the interest of visiting strange foreign places and don’t forget, the sailor travels with his home around him. I see many places every year whereas you soldiers stay in one place too long, so even if you don’t like it you can’t change it.”

  “Well, you’re right there, I must agree, but if it is a good place, one can put down some temporary roots and get to know the local folk, the best clubs and so on. There are always dances and social events with mothers looking for prospective husbands for their daughters. An army officer can have plenty of fun without being tied down with a wife.”

  “I suppose so,” said Merriman, “How long have you been in the army?”

  “Nearly ten years, my father purchased a commission for me as Cornet when I was sixteen and I went to America to join the regiment just in time to come back home when the war over there ended. The Regiment was so depleted that there were only some one hundred and ninety four other ranks left. Many officers had been killed or died of disease so there were several vacancies. My father was able to purchase my Captaincy two years ago. And you James, how long have you been in the navy?”

  “Since I was twelve, when my father persuaded a friend of his, Captain Edwards to take me as a midshipman. I passed the examination for Lieutenant seven years ago, since when I was given command of a small brig carrying dispatches.”

  He hesitated, “I suppose you might as well know Robert, I lost my ship and received this injury to my arm earlier this year, so my naval career may be at an end.”

  “I certainly hope not my friend, especially as you so obviously enjoy it.”

  “Time will tell I suppose, but to change the subject, tell me why are you staying in Chester when you said your regiment is in Ireland?”

  “Yes, it was in Cork but is now in Armagh. As for me, I’m recruiting for the regiment James, the good old 22nd, the Cheshire Regiment. We number some four hundred and fifty men now but hope to raise this to a thousand in the next six months. It is hoped that the improved uniform and the bounty paid to each new recruit will bring them to the Colours. Anyway, I’ll be moving round the county and beyond for two or three months before leaving for Ireland.�
��

  “Surely you are not on your own in this, Robert, and what is the bounty?”

  “Three guineas, to be paid to each new man when he signs or makes his mark, although most of it will be taken off him to pay for his equipment. No I’m not alone, the recruiting party is usually made up of seven or eight officers, eighteen sergeants and corporals and perhaps ten other ranks including drummer boys. We separate into smaller parties and eventually we’ll take all the new men to Armagh.”

  “I wish you luck Robert, in the navy we must resort frequently to the Press Gang when we cannot find enough volunteers, though I must say I feel sorry for men dragged from home and family. Sometimes we get volunteers who think service aboard may be a better choice than prison Little do they know that they could only be exchanging one sort of hell for another, but the King’s ships must be manned, the country depends on them for her safety. By the by, what do you know of the local Revenue service and the smugglers.”

  “Very little I’m afraid, although I have heard of the loss of their cutter. I do know that the army is available to help if we are called upon, indeed I remember we were involved in burning boats believed to belong to smugglers back in eighty four down in Kent.”

  At that moment Merriman’s family entered the room and seeing the two men, moved across to them. As they rose to their feet Merriman made the introductions.

  “This is my friend Captain Robert Saville of whom I have spoken. Robert, meet my father Captain Merriman, my mother, my sister Emily and my brother Matthew.”

  “Captain Merriman, your servant Sir.” The elegantly dressed soldier bowed over Mrs Merriman’s hand, “Honoured Ma’am to make your acquaintance.” He turned to Emily and took her hand. “Delighted to meet you Miss Merriman. James, why didn’t you tell me that your sister was such a beauty. I’m positively dazzled, sink me if I’m not.” He again bowed and held onto Emily’s hand for longer than was really necessary before releasing it and turning to Matthew. “Your servant Sir. Glad to know you.”