Kathleen Of The Outer Banks

by Capt. Gardner Martin Kelley

The next evening supper was served with red meat. She found the flavor excellent to her taste, but it had numerous very numerous sections of gristle throughout. She ate her fill however. The fresh meat was a change from fish and canned food. A welcome change and help to the food budget.

  Two days later the schooner rolled in a windless sea. Kathleen went aloft to her stand. She looked and looked, but not a whisper of a wind ripple showed. No work was being done; it was too hot. Sitting in what shade he could find Chips saw the little pump shoes hit the deck. He looked to the rigging. Kathleen was on her way down in a swan dive. He jumped to his feet and rushed to the rail. Kathleen came to the surface from her dive. She swam to the schooner’s side. Cappi helped to lower the short Jacob ladder.

  Cappi started giving a talking to her, he was about to warn her about sharks and especially of the danger from barracudas. She quickly dove over the rail without listening. When she was aboard again all of the men gave her a warning.

  Kathleen was headstrong. Cappi wanted to caution her against diving from the rigging, but he knew that she was in no mood to listen. Her Captain poured fresh soft water from her rain barrel over her white hair, just as her grandmother had done. She combed and brushed it while her clothes dried on her body.

  The two young lovers sat in the deck chairs and watched the sunset. A breeze came up with the setting of the sun. The schooner heeled with the wind and sped on her way. The two steered until relieved at midnight (which is eight bells) by Chips. The cabin was hot and the hatch was left open. The old man heard laughter from the cabin. He nodded his head and smiled with his approval. Oh, to be that young again.

  Cappi would not let her go up the rigging to her stand until she promised no dives. She was there at noon. The eight bells had just rang out across the ship and water. So did her cry, “Land-Ho broad on the bow.”

  The log was hauled in and put away. The captain studied the land and the chart. The schooner was too far to the east he thought. He had just taken his latest noon sight, so he had a good departure point. He plotted a course to coincide with one by Captain Eldridge.

  The schooner made two passes by the little harbor just at sunset and made the recognition signal. With the mainsail down and staying off the land a noise from someone in a boat was heard close by. The captain again showed the signal and said, “Won’t you come aboard?”

  The boat when it got alongside contained two men, the younger one at the oars. The crew of the schooner saw what looked like an actor from a western movie. The highly decorated sombrero adorned the head of a tall man with a mustache. He was immaculately dressed in Spanish style.

  The younger man brought his oars into the boat and held onto the rope ladder. The tall man hesitated to come up; maybe he was worried of a trap by his enemies.

  Cappi lowered the paper from Captain Eldridge to him. The man uncovered a lantern and leaned close to read the note and then quickly climbed aboard. He thrust out a jeweled hand to the captain and said, Victor Montoya, I am glad to welcome my new buyer of my molasses. My boat will be out come daylight with a pilot for your trip inside. The tide will be high and right at that time and this light wind will be favorable. He brushed Cappi’s hand with a quick shake and was gone to his waiting boat. The light splash of the oars was all that remained to indicate anyone had been aboard. It seemed mysterious and exciting to Kathleen.

  Two men stayed on watch to sail slowly back and forth till daylight. The Captain and his wife went to their cabin. The laughter and squeals heard through the open skylight of the cabin delighted the old men.

  The glow from the stars overhead were fast fading as the captain came up to relieve Chips and a sleepy cook. Judd was sleeping, stretched out on the deck. He woke up at eight bells to relieve Emery. The cook soon came back from the galley with his carrying basket. The coffee, tea and warmed over biscuits got the day started. In the distance they could see the boat with their pilot coming out.

  With the pilot aboard and the small boat on her painter astern of the schooner, all was ready. The old crew men were ready at the sheets to trim sail for the narrow channel ahead. The Captain steered where the pilot indicated. Kathleen stood close by and wrote down compass degrees as Cappi spoke them to her. She was very busy writing and inspecting the surroundings.

  The schooner was heading into a slack sail breeze as she slipped into the small harbor and the loading dock. Cappi saw that there would be no room to turn under sail. The bow was pushed carefully off from the flimsy wharf. The stern line was moved to where the bow line had been. A heaving line attached at the bow was led back amidships and heaved to the wharf. The schooner was warped in. Docking lines were rigged with slack enough to allow for the lowering of the schooner to set on the sand.

  Chapter 7

  Loading Molasses

  Victor Montoya watched the seamanship that turned the vessel toward the opening of the small harbor. Captain Eldridge had done the same with his schooner. Montoya was glad to see that he had a man that knew his trade to do business with.

  Chips used an auger to drill a hole in the shell of the last turtle and lowered it into the lagoon by a rope attached. He watched the animal swim to the surface then dive to feed. It would be well fed when the loading was finished. Judd was furling sails and stopping them secure. Kathleen reluctantly stopped looking at the new sights to help him. His smile showed his appreciation. Emery was getting a little of the sleep he was due. The captain was much too busy arranging a load price. In the end a fair and suitable deal was made just as Captain Eldridge had indicated. The owner of the little molasses mill just wanted fair compensation for the labor of his large family. It was only after a syndicate had formed to raise the price high, that he had trouble. He could not ship from Havana as in the past. They thought his sales were stopped.

  The unloading was started at once. The captain helped to open the covers over the hatches to the below decks. The small loads in the hold for Cuba would be placed in a sugar warehouse for delivery by truck. This would allow the “LIZZIE MAE” to make faster turnaround trips.

  Ashore walking around, Kathleen followed a shell road inland. She came to the large house she had partially seen from the deck of the boat. The red tiled roof reflected sunlight. A big black woman with a big bosom was just opening the big dark wooden front door. She saw Kathleen and turned to speak to someone inside. A small woman dressed in a long dress with long sleeves came to see. She came onto the wide veranda. She called in a high pitched voice, in English, “Come up, come here my dear.” Kathleen walked up the four steps to be greeted by the little lady. She was of course, Victor’s wife. She was anxious to talk with someone, anyone from away from here. She asked questions faster than Kathleen could answer even if she had known the answers. There was a good visit going on however. Mrs. Montoya tugged on a bell sash. A young boy answered the bell. The message in Spanish was quick, the boy ran inside. The big black woman appeared with a tray. Tea, coffee, lemonade and sweet tarts of various kinds were on a platter. Kathleen chose the sweet lemonade while the lady of the house chose tea.

  Kathleen saw the first truck arrive. The vintage truck had a polished radiator, it was that old. She excused herself saying she wanted to see the loading of the goods. “You and your husband must come for dinner tonight.”

  The crew had booms guided in place over the holds. The donkey engine lifted the first load clear of the deck. One guide was slackened and the boom was pulled over the wharf. The truck load size pile was lowered to wait on the wharf. The first barrel of molasses was lowered below and the holders were set tight. Up came a load for the truck. The vang was slacked and the truck was loaded. It rambled off to the storage warehouse then returned for yet another load.

  The unloading of goods was continued while the truck was gone. A second and bigger truck arrived. Four workers rolled two hogshead sized barrels off the truck down planks and hurried to load the loose goods for storage. “Be one heck of a
mess and loss if we drop one of them,” Cappi called. “So let’s make sure that we don’t.” Two dock men rolled a hogshead onto the heavy rope sling. The load swung over the hold and was lowered. Chips was below with two of Montoya’s men. The barrels or hogsheads were lashed to ring bolts in the ribs and knees. Chips did not intend for any storm, no matter how bad it was, to get these shifting around.

  Each time a load went down a load came up until the bulk cargo was unloaded. The sling had not come up empty. Now the offloading was done and the goods destined for delivery in Cuba was finished. All hands were free for loading the molasses. The schooner lowered with the tide and rose again. It was a day of work that was finished.

  Earlier in the day Kathleen had joined a large group of swimmers. They had entered the water from a small beach just astern of the schooner. There were kids from four to fourteen. When Cappi saw that she was about to swim, he cautioned her of the shallow water. She jumped feet first to test the depth. Her dives were made only from the low rail. All of the children large and small swam over to climb aboard and dive with her.

  The sea turtle on its attached rope amused them. Chips tied a lobster trap buoy to the line and dropped it over. Some of the boys pulled the big turtle to the beach. They took turns riding on its back. Their feet were like suction cups on the smooth shell.

  With the work of the day finished. She urged Cappi to join her in a cooling swim. Cappi was brought up where the ocean even in summer was freezing cold. He had learned to swim because he might someday or night, fall overboard. That was the extent of his swimming. He was not enthused with the idea. When Kathleen insisted saying, “We are invited to the big house for dinner and you must wash up.” He saw the merit of her argument. He had been telling himself for a long time that his swimming was not strong or long enough. He entered the warm water by way of the Jacob ladder. “This is great,” he said five minutes later.

  Chapter 8

  The Big House

  Kathleen was pleased with how things had worked out. The two sauntered in the early evening darkness toward the big house. Cappi had liked the warmer water swimming. She would now have company when she swam.

  There was a flicker of lights as they were placed all along the shell road from the wharf to the house. She saw a few insects around one, then the two lovers arm and arm reached the lighted screened veranda.

  Victor with his little woman greeted the two as they entered through the door. It was opened for them by a tall Negro in the prettiest brass button coat Kathleen had ever seen. A light colored but not white girl approached, she was dressed in a short black uniform with a cute little white apron. She offered a tray of cold drinks. Cappi told her later, “She is one of the mulattoes, a mixture of African and white.” With drinks in their hands they followed the host and hostess inside.

  Kathleen remembered two lovely rooms from her previous visit. It looked even grander with the chandelier and the other lights along the walls. The appearance of opulence was all over especially so when entering the dining room. The huge table was covered with platters heaped with food. There seemed to be hardly room for highly decorated dishes and silverware.

  The Captain and his wife were seated to the left of the host. Kathleen saw that all of the others knew where they were to sit. The children according to size were seated at the far end. Serving waited until the host spoke a short speech of welcome, “To our new friends and buyers of our molasses.” He lifted his glass and everyone drank and cheered. A blessing was said over the food. Several waiters and waitresses appeared from the kitchen area. The serving has begun. Kathleen wondered why the big platters of food were on the table. She noticed that the food on them gradually lowered as some of this or that was served into the emptied plates.

  There were fruits and melons that she had not seen or heard of before. She tasted many and there were only two that she did not care for. “This was some family of eaters.” She thought, “They work hard and eat well, there was nothing wrong in that.”

  There was plenty of food on the table. First one youngster and then another slipped away. Cappi and his wife toyed with the last food in their plates, they had eaten their fill. The host rose to his feet, this was evidently what most were waiting for. The lights dimmed and music was heard coming from a recreation room.

  The smaller children had disappeared. The older boys and girls were dancing near a raised platform at the back of the room. Small tables with candles were close to the sides of the room near the double size door opening. The gracious host indicated a table with four chairs. The Latin style dance ended with a quick flourish. The music started up again with a waltz. The Captain thought that this might be for his benefit. He bowed to the hostess. “Will you do me the honor of this dance; I can waltz but others I may not know how,” he said.

  Victor with Kathleen at his side followed the two onto the floor. The revelers were very reserved for this dance. There were a few couples that came to the floor. They stayed clear to watch mostly this dance.

  Victor liked dancing with the beautiful young woman. Mrs. Montoya and the Captain were not quite seated when the music started again. The older man marveled at how well Kathleen followed his lead. He was puffing slightly as he regained his seat at the table.

  Cappi with Kathleen danced three times more in quick succession. They rested a few minutes and then finished their cool drinks.

  The captain then rose to his feet. “We thank you for a very pleasant evening and an elegant dinner. We will remember it always. Now we must go. Again we thank you both for pleasant company.”

  The trucks rolled in with their barrels and hogsheads of molasses. The loading below decks was almost finished. Kathleen swam with the children. Cappi saw that he was not needed at loading and joined her for a swim. “I would like to see Havana and do some shopping,” she said. The captain spoke to Victor about it. “We will make it a Fiesta day tomorrow. We will take both of the cars with guards. I do not forget my enemies.”

  That afternoon the hatches were closed and secured. With only the deck load to get aboard and lashed in place the Captain did not feel obligated to help.

  Kathleen took out the last of the money from the old carpet bag. The captain took some of the small amount of gold left after his buys from Montoya.

  Victor passed an elaborate sombrero to Cappi along with a bolero jacket. “No need to inform the syndicate that I am entertaining a ship Captain,” he said. Cappi saw his point and placed his uniform coat and cap on a barrel head to be taken aboard.

  The horns of the cars were tooted to amuse the group of children. Off went the small convoy for the big city. Long before the outskirts of the city were seen Kathleen and even Cappi was exclaiming over the sights. The first stop was at a restaurant. The food did not begin to match that of the big house.

  There were stores everywhere. Kathleen bought straw hats and sandals and lots of socks for each of her old men. She bought more pretty dresses and flimsy things they would like to see. Fancy soaps along with a new comb and brush set with a hand mirror. Oh! Yes, this was a wonderful day.

  The Montoya’s made purchases that were to be delivered. The headlights were turned on after a pretty sunset. The bugs were swirling around as the lane to the big house was reached. They parted company at the home. The full day together was at an end. The Montoya’s bid a fond good night and the car continued to the dock and the schooner.

  The deck load was in place and secure. Chips was sitting near the wheel in a deck chair. “All is well captain, I even have our turtle aboard and we’re ready to go.” The captain asked of the barrels of pork and beef that he had paid Montoya to bring for ship supplies. “All stowed along with sacks of yams, potatoes and fruit.” The Captain talked to the man turning the car to head off, “Inform Mr. Montoya that we will require his pilot at eight bells for the morning tide.” The driver touched the brim of his sombrero as a gesture that he understood. Chips remained
on watch. The Captain looked for Kathleen as she was already below. She had a full day of happiness.

  Chapter 9

  Homeward Bound

  Chips called down the hatchway an hour before eight bells, “Coffee, tea and hot biscuits, rise and shine.” Kathleen was right behind Cappi to the galley. She noted that the covers were off the sails and stops had been loosened. Their quick breakfast was hardly over when the pilot arrived aboard. Dock lines were cast off. Under jib and a double reefed mainsail, the loaded schooner used the favorable light wind to ease out of the small harbor. The wind was right for a port tack at the opening. The Captain did not raise more sail. A safe slow passage the half mile to the ocean over the sand bar was preferable to taking any chance of holing his ship.

  The pilot gave the course that held very close to the high bank. Cappi pointed to a chimney shaped spire of coral just before the turn out. “If you would suggest that chimney to be dynamited away it will make for a safer entrance.” “I will do that,” answered the pilot. His boat was alongside; he lowered himself down the short ladder and was gone.

  The donkey engine was already running. “Hoist the sails men and hoist them high. We are headed for home with a pay load,” Cappi shouted. Cuba dropped astern. On a broad reach with wind over the starboard side the schooner moved along.

  There was no tacking with the long reach. The men rested and ate fruit whenever they were in the mood. Kathleen could wait no longer, she used this no work time to give the men the presents she had for them. They all spoke their thanks and immediately put their feet into new clean socks with the sandals. Chips saw that the straw hats were not equipped with thongs to keep them from blowing off in a gust of wind. He brought from his locker lengths of cord line and a small marlin spike. The spike pushed holes through the brims for the strings which were tied loosely or tightened in the wind. “Good sun shade and a so-wester in the rain,” someone said.