The Smuggler's Gambit (Adam Fletcher Adventure Series Book 1)

by Sara Whitford

  Still, he was able to think through the fact that there was a little cluster of trees not far from his fire, so he determined he would move it somehow. Adrenaline gave him enough energy to grab the bundle of wood he’d collected to have near his fire and pull it back under the trees. Then, using a long stick and a large shell, he scooped some embers out of the fire and lifted them over to the bundle of dry wood under the trees. He added as much dry seagrass as he could find and blew on it all until he was able to get new flames going. Then he crawled back over to his original fire and tried grabbing the sticks along the edge of the flames with a couple of pieces of green wood, and moved them over to his new small fire in the grove. He continued to do this until he had moved most of the wood surrounding the fire, and the flames began to die down. He then used the bottom of his boot to try and scoot the remaining pieces of wood over to the grove to add to his new fire, but a couple of them were just too hot.

  Finally, he abandoned the remnants of his first fire and concentrated his efforts on building up the new fire and keeping it sheltered. He draped his shirt across two sticks he thrust down into the ground to shield his fire from the rain that was being blown into the grove by the wind. Fortunately, the live oak under which he had assembled this new fire provided adequate shelter from the rain that might blow in as the wind shifted.

  He looked around him to see how his shells were doing gathering water. When he moved his head from side to side, he felt dizzy. Still, he was able to see that the shells placed out in the open rain were too small to hold water very well. Instead, it splashed out as the heavy raindrops hit the surface. He mustered up enough energy to gather as many conchs and large scallop shells as he could place around him and set them out strategically under tree branches that were dripping water at a steady pace.

  Having had several days to accustom himself to the limited catalog of sounds present on the island, Adam was suddenly startled by a new noise. He had just started to drift off to sleep again by his fire when he heard a shuffling noise some distance away. It seemed to be getting closer, and he soon realized it sounded like footsteps.

  Dear God, please don’t let that be Rasquelle’s men, he silently prayed. He raised himself up to look around to see who or what might be out there. He tried to console himself. Maybe it’s just deer, he thought. No, probably not. He hadn’t seen any deer since he’d been on the island. Alright, then, maybe it’s raccoons.

  He thought about it for a moment. No, it can’t be raccoons. Raccoons don’t come out in the daytime. He wondered if he was just imagining things. Then he realized he was too exhausted to care.

  He gave up thinking about it and decided to lie back down and sleep. That’s all he wanted—sleep. His eyelids felt so, so heavy. And it was so hard trying holding his head up.

  At this point, he didn’t care what the sound was—even if it was Rasquelle’s men. Worst thing that could happen is they could kill me, he thought. But at least then I’d be in heaven, and that’s got to be better than this.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  THERE WAS ONE PERSON IN BEAUFORT who hadn’t expected to be as distraught as she was about Adam’s disappearance: Laney Martin.

  The last time she saw Adam had been on Tuesday morning. That was the last time anybody had seen the boy, but it overwhelmed her with worry to know that she and Mr. Reading were the last two people in town who had acknowledged seeing him alive. She realized that what may have been the last act he committed in his life was one of bravery when he came to warn her about Emmanuel’s arrest. And to think she might never even be able to thank him made her feel guilty beyond belief.

  Rationally, she knew it wasn’t her fault—whatever had happened to him—but still, she wished she had treated him better when she’d seen him. Now she’d have to live with herself knowing she treated him so coldly in spite of her true feelings, which she was only just beginning to realize.

  The truth was, she felt attracted to him—she had since the day they met—but she knew that there could never be anything between them. He was not a suitable prospect for her—not by any stretch of the imagination. She feared if she received him warmly, her feelings might become transparent, and Adam might think he had a chance. She didn’t want to lead him on, nor did she want to risk allowing her heart to slip into a maelstrom of affection that she knew she wouldn’t likely be able to control.

  No one was surprised that Adam’s mother had been unable to eat since she’d learned of his disappearance, but both Laney’s brother, Will, and Absalom Reading were stunned to see Laney displaying similar behaviors. She just stared blankly out the window of the parlor, where she had shared the settee with Adam two weeks earlier.

  Will stood in the doorway. “You have to eat something. You look dreadful.”

  She said nothing.

  He continued: “Aunt Celie is worried about you. You know she’ll make you whatever you want. Just tell me. She says you won’t even take broth.”

  Laney finally turned and looked at her brother. “You never met him, Will. He was a good boy, you know. I just pray that nothing has happened to him. If only he hadn’t come here to warn us . . .” She began to weep.

  Will rushed over to comfort his sister. He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “I don’t think it would’ve made a bit of difference,” he said. “All evidence suggests he made it back to town. So whatever happened to him could’ve just as easily happened without the benefit of him making a trip to this estate.”

  She wanted to tell her brother how she felt about Adam. And she wanted him to tell her that her feelings were understandable, that they were acceptable, but she knew he would never approve of her interest in a boy like that. So instead she said nothing.

  “You know they have to find him,” Will said. “We’ve got every fisherman, every pilot, every man in every boat of every size—they’re all looking for him. If he’s out there, we’ll find him.”

  “That ‘if’ is such a big word,” said Laney. “If he’s out there, fine, but what if he’s not? What happened to him? Will we ever even know? If somebody in this town hurt him, are they still out there? And will they ever be punished?”

  William leaned back and took his sister’s delicate hands into his own. “They will if I have anything to do with it. I’ll make sure if—no, when—they find out who did this, he is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

  Laney dabbed her eyes with the wrinkled handkerchief she had been clutching in her hand. She was able to muster a weak smile for her brother.

  “Would you like to come with us into town when we go to court tomorrow? I can introduce you to the boy’s mother. Maybe the two of you can visit with one another for a little while if she’s not too busy working. I hear she’s understandably very distressed. Perhaps you can find a way to offer her a bit of encouragement and good cheer.”

  “I’d like that,” she said. “Does that mean you’ll let me go to the tavern?”

  “Not a chance,” he responded. “But I’ll see if Mr. Hodges will let her have a little bit of time off to visit with you elsewhere. Perhaps a nice walk down by the shore. I’ve heard he’s been very lenient with her schedule of late.”

  Fine, she thought. We’ll be able to cry on each other’s shoulders. I’ll be glad to have at least met Adam’s mother. But all she said was, “Sounds lovely.”

  “Good then,” he said. “So will you eat something now?”

  She took a deep breath and gave a reluctant nod.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  ADAM’S HEAD WAS STILL POUNDING when he woke up to the unmistakable rocking of a ship at sea. His vision was blurred, but he was able to adjust his eyes enough to look around and observe the men at work around him. He recognized their uniforms and quickly realized he was on board one of His Majesty’s vessels. He didn’t remain conscious for long at first. His pulse had become so weak that at one point the ship’s physician feared he might not survive.

&n
bsp; Not long after he’d been brought on board the vessel, one of the officials came down to see their latest rescue. He immediately recognized the boy, although he had never actually met him. He instructed the physician that under no circumstances was he to tell the boy where exactly, he was. In fact, if the boy came to, the physician was instructed only to tell him that he was on a naval vessel on a special task for the Crown, and to urge him to explain how he’d come to be stranded. The official feared that if the boy saw him or knew the vessel he was on, he might not be forthcoming, for fear of repercussions.

  Around four in the afternoon, Adam was awakened by loud cracks of thunder and what sounded like a torrential downpour.

  “Where am I?” asked Adam, his voice weak.

  “You are aboard one of His Majesty’s ships in service to the Royal Navy.”

  Adam nodded. He felt a little dizzy, but at least he didn’t feel as sick to his stomach. He told the physician he’d been stranded for a week. When the physician asked him when he began to feel unwell, Adam told him about falling asleep on the ground in the forest and being bitten by something.

  “Yes, I figured as much,” said the physician. “I noticed these marks on your neck.” The physician leaned forward and gently touched Adam near the place where his bite wound was. “I believe you’ve had a spider bite. A very serious one, in fact. You didn’t see it?”

  Adam shook his head. “No, sir. It must’ve bit me while I was sleeping.”

  He then explained about how he’d been getting his food and water, but that he had not really been able to eat or drink anything for a couple of days because he’d been sick.

  The physician replied, “Worry not, dear boy. I have been treating you with paregoric elixir. Now we just need to get some fluids in you and something to eat. Are you well enough to speak with me for a little while?”

  “Yes, sir. I reckon so.”

  “Very good,” said the physician. “If at any time you feel unwell, like you can’t bear to talk anymore and you need to rest, simply say so, alright? I’ve sent for someone to bring you some sustenance.”

  The boy nodded.

  “Well, as you might imagine, young man, you caused us quite a scare. We certainly didn’t anticipate finding one of His Majesty’s subjects marooned on an island on the Carolina coast. We do have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind me asking them.”

  Adam shook his head. “No, that’s fine.”

  “First thing we’d like to know is your name and age, as well as where you are from, so we can get you home.”

  “My name is Adam Fletcher, sir. I’m seventeen years old and I’m from Port Beaufort in Carteret County.”

  “Very well. And how is it you came to be stranded on that island?”

  “It’s a long story, sir, but I’ll try to tell you,” said Adam.

  He proceeded to tell the doctor about everything, from how he came to be marooned all the way up through to the present day. It was a struggle for him to talk because his throat was so sore, but the doctor listened most intently, taking copious notes as quickly as he could write them down as the boy made his account.

  When they were done talking, the physician stood beside Adam’s bed and said, “I think you will be alright, Mr. Fletcher. You just rest here. I’m not sure if the weather will allow us to make it back to town tonight, but I’ll go and speak with someone about that right now.”

  Adam nodded. Just then one of the men who worked in the galley brought him a tray with some food and drink. The physician excused himself and said he’d be back to check on him again shortly. He went to the quarters of the official who’d requested the interrogation and he reported all that Adam had told him. The official immediately sent instructions to the captain to get them back to Beaufort. He urged the captain and his crew to make haste. Nightfall would soon be upon them and what he had to do couldn’t wait until morning.

  The captain said he was skeptical they’d make it back that night. The storm would make for tricky sailing in the treacherous shoals along the Beaufort coast.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  BRIGHT AND EARLY MONDAY MORNING, Will and Laney arrived in town. It was Will’s intention to stop by the Topsail Tavern briefly before he met Emmanuel and company over at the courthouse.

  “You just wait here,” said Will. His sister smiled and nodded as he climbed out of the carriage and informed the coachman he’d be back momentarily.

  Laney was wearing a lovely, but simple, pale peach gown. The color was brighter than her mood, but she had thought it looked like an optimistic color, and she hoped it might be more pleasant for Miss Fletcher than if she had chosen to wear a darker dress. As she sat and waited, she began to feel silly, wondering if Adam’s mother would even want to meet her, much less spend a few hours with her.

  Within a few moments, Will came back out to the carriage. He climbed inside and told his sister, “Miss Fletcher would like to meet you—said she would enjoy the company—but, sadly, she’s not up for leaving the tavern. You know I would never want you to hang around a place like this. However, given the circumstances, I think it would be a kind act of Christian charity if you felt comfortable enough to go inside and visit with Miss Fletcher up in her quarters. Would you find that acceptable?”

  Laney nodded. “Of course. I’d be happy to.”

  William smiled and exited the carriage. He helped his sister step out and then led her into the tavern. Even though it was only seven thirty, the place was packed with its breakfast regulars—mostly men who worked down at the boatbuilding shop or in the businesses nearby.

  “Miss Fletcher, I’d like to introduce you to my sister, Rocksolanah.”

  Mary smiled and gave a little curtsy. “How do you do, miss?”

  “Rocksolanah, this is Miss Fletcher, Adam’s mother.”

  “I’m so very pleased to meet you, ma’am,” said Laney with a nod.

  “Well, ladies, I’ll leave you two to visit for a while. Laney, I will come and collect you directly after court.”

  Laney nodded.

  “Good luck,” said Mary.

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He smiled and gave a nod before he left the tavern.

  “Well, Miss Rocksolanah—”

  “Please, ma’am, call me Laney. All of my friends and family do.”

  Mary smiled and nodded in deference to her request. “Alright, Miss Laney. How about I prepare a pot of tea for us and we can take it to my quarters?”

  Laney nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’d like that.”

  “Would you like to wait here, or would you rather wait upstairs?” Mary asked.

  Laney knew her brother would insist she go on upstairs to wait. He wouldn’t want her sitting in a tavern full of men. It wouldn’t look appropriate, he’d say. But she didn’t care. “I’ll wait right here,” she said as she took a seat on one of the bar stools.

  Valentine looked at Laney and reflexively was about to ask her if he could get her anything when he thought better of it. He just gave her an awkward smile. She smiled back.

  This feels strange, she thought, sitting here waiting at a bar. What will people say?

  Just then there came sounds of a flurry of activity in the kitchen. Laney thought she heard Mary cry out. Valentine darted from behind the bar through the kitchen door to see what was happening. Laney wanted to follow but feared it would be improper behavior. What is happening back there? she wondered.

  Within a couple of moments, Valentine came back out of the kitchen and said to Laney, “Miss, you need to get on upstairs. Go on. It’s the first door at the top of the stairs.”

  Laney gave him a worried look.

  “It’s alright,” he said. “Don’t worry. Just get on up there. Miss Fletcher’s up there. She went up the back stairs from the kitchen.”

  Laney hopped down from the bar stool and ran up the stairs, still unsure of what was going on.

  ⋄⋄⋄

  The Port Beaufort Vice-Admiralty Court didn’t convene regularly, but when
it did the whole town knew about it.

  Emmanuel and his contingent arrived early. Ordinarily, Emmanuel always liked being prompt, but on this day, anxiety was working on him as he watched the various officials of the court scurrying around making preparations for the trial to begin.

  Suddenly a man entered the doors to the courtroom where the trial was about to take place and raised his hand in order to catch the attention of the court officer. The officer motioned for him to come forward. The man swiftly walked down the aisle and began speaking in a hushed voice to the officer.

  All participants were already in their seats and ready for proceedings to begin. William Martin and his client, Emmanuel, wondered if the man who’d just darted in was working for the Crown. The barrister for the prosecution, Alistair Bird, wondered if he was working for the defense. To both parties’ surprise, the man was quickly ushered into the judge’s chambers. After a few moments, the man scurried back out.

  The marshall then took his place near the bench. A hush fell over the courtroom. He called out, “God save the King and his honorable court!”

  Everyone responded in unison, “God save the King!”

  At that moment, the vice-admiralty-court justice exited his chambers and appeared in the courtroom.

  “All rise,” said the marshall.

  Everyone stood and watched as the judge stepped up to his place on the bench.

  The marshall continued: “The Honorable Justice of the Court of Vice-Admiralty of Great Britain. Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable Court of Vice-Admiralty of Great Britain at Port Beaufort, Justice James B. Simpkins presiding, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the court is now in session.”

  Justice Simpkins said, “Please be seated.”

  Afterward, more procedural instructions were given, and the attorneys for both the Crown and the defense were introduced. The charges were read against Emmanuel, and then the first witness was called to the bench.