Kathleen Of The Outer Banks

by Capt. Gardner Martin Kelley

  When Dr. Taylor woke from his John Barleycorn produced sleep, it was with the hot sun on his bald head. He reached quickly to his pocket for the bottle there. He finished the contents in two drinks then lowered the empty bottle to the floor boards of the yawl. He rose on his wobbly legs.

  The captain standing near Judd at the wheel came to help him over the rail. He pointed at the bottle, “There is no more of that stuff aboard. I am afraid that you are in for a hard time. I am going to cure you or kill you.”

  The little man took it all in but said nothing. He leaned over the rail of the yawl boat to retrieve his little black bag. He could not reach it by at least a foot. The captain reached it for him and said, “Follow me.” He walked to the mate’s cabin that Chips had been using alone for years. “You will share this cabin with Chips my oldest and best friend, we cannot allow you the misery of D T’s. I have a chore for you, thought of it as soon as I saw your doctor bag. You are our ship’s doctor.

  We will all help to make you well and you will do the same for us. My wife is in dire need of your services right now.” The Captain opened the slop chest and took out clean clothes. “As soon as you are washed and changed come aft to your first chore. Then we will eat, you will get a mug of rum with your meal, no more till evening as we settle your craving. You will earn your way aboard and we will treat you well. “Don’t I remember you saving me from a mugging with very likely to get bodily harm,” the Doctor asked? “Yes, that is how come you are aboard, now we will help each other again,” said the captain.

  The captain went aft and into the cabin for his log book. He sat at his desk and made his log entries. He turned to where the faithful Chips was spooning soft oatmeal to his charge. He explained to Chips his new roommate and the need to keep the rum hidden.” We will give him a mug full three times a day for a while then it’s cold turkey.” Cappi turned his attention to Svenska, “You are going to have a doctor call on you soon, I do not know how good he is but at his age he must have had more experience than Chips or me.”

  He went to the wheel and set the log down. The Doctor, his bald head covered with a white sailor hat, was working his way aft.

  The Captain showed him the log and line for the doctor’s signature. The Doctor wrote Doctor B. W. Taylor with a good smooth hand. This was the first time that the Captain had any inkling of who his doctor was. Doctor Taylor was so famous that even Cappi had heard of his work. What a stroke of luck that he had been there when the good doctor needed assistance, and now he would give him another leg up, Cappi was determined to lick the John Barleycorn connection.

  The Doctor followed his new friend below. He was introduced to Chips. Chips left to arrange for the noon meal and the rum. Now it was time for Svenska’s medical history.

  The Doctor listened as he studied the little sweet face, as Cappi talked. Surprisingly the two amateur doctors had been doing the right things to build up strength. He then settled into deep thought as he pondered her real need, to get to her feet and walk. Here he told himself was a chance to again prove to himself that he was a great surgeon.

  Two days later Cappi slid down the hand rails to the cabin. This silent approach brought him into sight of his wife’s bunk quickly. Here was Doctor Taylor feeding small amounts of his morning rum to Svenska. This was a great surprise as he thought he knew just how bad the doctor craved for every drop. That he was willing to share with his patient spoke very highly of his integrity.

  Captain we must get her up on deck and into the sunlight, I wish to examine her back bone and surroundings in great detail. Can a bunk like an operation table be constructed between the boat hanging over the rail and back of the wheel? Chips and I will get right at it. We will build a solid frame work over it to cover with heavy canvas in rain showers. Once again Svenska’s precious shattered long mirror was used for the base of the bunk operating table. The men were hard at work when Montoya cove was entered. She would not be brought up yet.

  The yawl boat pushed the schooner to the dock. The Captain had planned on locking the doctor in the fore peak locker before docking to keep him from slipping away for booze. Something told him that this would not be necessary. The good doctor had by now a great interest in Svenska’s trouble. Could there really be a way to repair what the other doctor had said was impossible?

  The loading of the barrels of molasses was progressing with much speed now that everyone knew his job. Doctor Taylor stood before his new friend and Captain. He said, “Captain how are you fixed for money. I need several expensive tools to use as I study and later operate. I believe that I can repair the damage done. It must be done soon. Tendons, mussels and even nerves are growing around and must be slowly separated. It will be a prolonged operation. I will need lots of local anesthetics. We cannot put her to sleep for the length of time that it will take me to separate and untangle. It’s a good thing that we didn’t wait any longer. I once saw a man die, the operation was a success but no one inspected the healing process. There was a tangle of mass nerves and other matter as big as a whole salami. It is too late to try to untangle the mass.” The Captain said, “I have been saving to buy a steamboat. We will use the money to buy what you need.”

  The Doctor explained that the tools he would buy were small enough to be carried in a car and that no truck was necessary. The elder Montoya took time from his busy schedule to drive the two to town and the lavatory and supply house.

  The items the Doctor needed cut deeply into the scrimped savings. Cappi did not hesitate for a second. Svenska the little wife he loved so deeply might possibly walk again. He thought of her being up and around, for her to stand by his side at the wheel.

  The schooner would smash into the waves and slide into the deep trough of another for some time yet. The small freighter he had envisioned for him and his faithful crew would have to wait. His loving and lovely island girl was first to be served.

  All of the way back over the dusty road his heart sang. The schooner was loaded and ready to sail. The Doctor said, “I will start my study tomorrow. You find a smooth spot for the operation and as soon as the studying is over, I will operate.”

  The “LIZZIE MAE” Captain was already planning. He saw the smooth water beside the old schooners and the time element should be right if this voyage to New York was a fast trip. He decided that he would keep the load aboard to further steady any movement of the vessel during the long operation. Yes, this snug harbor was the ideal spot.

  There was a good breeze from the Southeast. The schooner sailed along smoothly. The Doctor talked long and earnestly with his patient. He explained much of what was to happen in the next few weeks. Her bunk here on the open stern deck made her visible to all except when Chips dropped the layers of netting to tend to her physical chores. When the netting was down even the Doctor stayed clear while Chips tended his little girl.

  Each member of the crew found a chore to do nearby each day. Their greeting was always returned with a smiling thank you and a wave from the small white hand.

  Chips had brought up a bench for the Doctor to sit on as he examined and studied her small back. The probing with his fingers went on for what seemed to be hours. He would then sit back on the deck and let her sleep as he thought through a problem. It was as if the Doctor could see under the skin and what he would encounter once the surgery began.

  The wind freshened into a gale and the schooner sailed faster and faster. The Captain did not have the sails reefed. He wanted the speed the stormy weather provided. His only concession to the storm was to have the topsails in. Due to the occasional slats of cold salt spray the canvas protector shield was tied down over the examination room. The Doctor took this time to study his notes.

  Chapter 20

  The Doctors New Plan of Action

  The storm abated to a nice sailing breeze. The Captain ordered the topsails opened. The schooner was eating up the miles or knots toward New York and the operation.r />
  The sun was about to set into a spectacular sunset. The good Doctor had been extremely quiet all day. He stood close to the Captain at the wheel. He wanted to be sure that his every word was heard and understood. “Captain we are not going to do the operation aboard as I had planned. When we berth at New York you will put on your best uniform to go with me to a hospital. You will do your very best at persuading some old friends of mine that I am no longer a drunk. I am not. I have had no yearning for a drink in weeks. I am ready to resume my place in the medical profession.”

  The Captain looked intently at the good Doctor. Yes he was right, here and was no slobbering falling down bum. Here was a man to be reckoned with. His life the last few weeks had taken the pallor from his cheeks and replaced it with a robust looking tan. The pale white dome had also made use of the sun. The captain knew that these changes would add to good acceptance of the recommendation he would give. “We will give one hell of a performance, I must convince old colleagues to help in the operation.”

  There were no more storms and fair winds prevailed. The Captain took this as a good omen. With the fair wind the schooner sailed past Ambrose lightship right to the old schooners anchorage. It was half tide and a rising one. The sails were dropped for the shoot toward the old ships. The “LIZZIE MAE” down with a full load bumped on the mud and stopped her forward movement. The anchor was lower for kedging off later with a full tide. The yawl boat with a line from the stern of the schooner turned her; the stern line was tied to a solid spot on the closest hulk. The crew was at work furling and storing sails.

  The Doctor, after a few words of hope to Svenska, followed the Captain to the yawl boat. Chips, as usual was at the patient’s bedside or bunk side in this case. “We will go directly to Beckman Hospital. It is near Wall and Pearl Street. I should be able to find some of my ex-students there or at least learn where they are,” said Doctor Taylor to his companion.

  The Doctor must have earned a lot of respect in the past. Once he was recognized things went just as he had hoped. After all of the convincing talk by the Doctor to the other younger doctors, what stood out in the Captain’s memory were his final words. “You will all forget what I have told you of her condition once you see her angel face. You will be in such a hurry to help this beautiful girl.”

  The sun was high at four bells in the afternoon when things began to happen at the old ships graveyard. The yawl boat returned with a full load of passengers. Chips was alerted by Judd, as he stood the deck watch, to have his charge ready for visitors. She combed her beautiful tresses and tied a blue ribbon on each side.

  The younger Doctors did not even wait for an introduction from Doctor Taylor. They were holding and patting the little hands, captivated by her sunny smile.

  A loud whistle sounded close aboard to port. A small freight lighter turned and came alongside. The crew tossed lines which were fasten to hold her steady there. Soon the block and hook from the boom was centered over the broken mirror bunk. Cappi and Chips saw to it that the slings were rigged right and hooked them on.

  The old broken mirror bunk with its precious cargo was lifted clear and lowered to the lighter deck. The Doctor’s eager hands set it safely there. Now it was Doc Taylor’s party all the way. He and the Doctors would accompany her to 57th street dock and the awaiting ambulance and to the hospital. Cappi kissed her and petted the small hands. “It’s all in Doc Taylor’s capable hands. I trust him with my life.” “I will be at the hospital early to see you. The rest of today will be for examination and ex-rays. The operation is scheduled to start at ten. You be a good girl with only the very best of thoughts.”

  The lighter was cast off. The little hand waved till her men could see her no more. It seemed as if the schooner was without some major component, like a mast or the rudder. Cappi said, “She will be back and well again.”

  With the rise of the tide the yawl was brought alongside. It was dark as the stern line to the old hulk was freed. The donkey engine took up the slack on the hawser and the anchor pulled the vessel to deep water. The yawl furnished the power and the “LIZZIE MAE” for the last time slid into her berth at the sugar wharf.

  Of course the Captain and his crew had no way of knowing that this would be the schooners last trip here. That was a trick of fate and would only become clear later. Judd was left with the responsibility of the unloading and the return to anchor and wait.

  Cappi with Chips in tow were soon on their way to the hospital by taxi. They would be an hour early but the two were anxious to get there. Early as they were the Doctor was there first. Cappi got a brief glimpse of him passing by in a corridor.

  They waited and waited to get to see Svenska. Nurses and male workers came and went. It was only after Cappi used the name Doctor Taylor that anyone paid any attention to his demands that he be taken to see his wife. This brought results, but now however it was too late, she was already in surgery. Fuming and raving would do no one any good. The two men settled into the soft chairs of the waiting room. Two hours later they took turns going to the huge cafeteria for lunch.

  It was another two hours when Doctor Taylor entered the waiting room still in his green operating outfit. He was untangling the strings of a white mask. He looked tired but the smile of triumph on his face told that all was well. “You have your wife back Captain, and I have regained the confidence and respect of the medical profession.” “Yes, you may see her but she is in a drugged sleep, I suggest after a quick look that you leave her to me. Come back at noon tomorrow. I will leave you now I have much work to do. I have to write up this whole story and procedure for the American Medical Journals.” The two looked through the window at the small sleeping figure. She looked so helpless lying there.

  Two workers were struggling with a mass of rubbish and Cappi noticed the shot up mirror bunk of Kathleen’s in the rubbish; Cappi relieved them of the old mirror and hailed a taxi. The mirror that had served in so many incidents of Svenska’s life was used once more. The taxi deposited the captain and Chips near the sandy beach abreast of the waiting “LIZZIE MAE”. Holding the big mirror just right the sun was reflected off part of the shattered glass, back and forth across the deck. Soon the yawl boat was coming toward the beach for them.

  The talk that evening was all about Svenska and how well she would be. The old mirror was stored and safe aboard the boat again.

  After breakfast the next morning Chips accompanied the Captain in the yawl to the Battery dock float. All was quiet for this area of New York. There was no sign of the three thugs. The taxi ride to the hospital was quickly over and they bounded up the steps.

  There was a commotion at the desk. The two walked directly to the window where they had seen Svenska. There they were in for a shock. No one was in the bed. They had a reversal of the good news happened? Cappi’s blood ran cold. At the desk he was told her room had been changed from intensive care to a regular hospital room.

  She was propped up on pillows and seemed very well indeed. There was color in her cheeks and her eyes gleamed. She laid so many kisses on her husband that passing nurses stopped to watch. She finally reached out to pat and peck at old Chip’s face. Tears of joy ran down her cheeks.

  Chapter 21

  The “SOUTHERN CROSS”

  Doctor Taylor entered the room with two doctors in tow. Without ceremony he shooed the men outside and closed the door. Several minutes passed before the door was opened. The two younger doctors departed down the corridor, their heads nodding as they talked.

  Chips was left to keep the little lady company. She asked about each crew member and the movements aboard the boat. The Captain at the doctor’s request followed him into a large office. There were plenty of signs that the doctor had been busy. Photos were scattered about the desk along with page after page of written and typed sheets of information. “I am well into several manuscripts,” he said. “It will be a few days of exercise then she will walk to you. Mea
nwhile you will go to Philadelphia ship anchorage and take possession of your new steamship.”

  Doctor Taylor said the “SOUTHERN CROSS” is two hundred feet long and four thousand tons heavy. She is certified for a crew of twenty eight, thirty if you carry radio men. The initial one third payment had already been pledged by me. The other payments I am sure you can meet. Your molasses contract will cover that. New freight loads will put a certain careful and conservative captain on easy street.” The Captain not usually at a loss for words was speechless. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

  It was a sailorman’s dream come true, a new big ship of his own. Even as he scrimped and saved he never really believed that he would get enough together. He was making a poor job of his effort at thanking his benefactor. His thanks were boundless for just what the doctor had done for Svenska. “The whole crew thanks you for that,” he said.

  The doctor grasped his hand in both of his. “It is I who needs to be doing the thanking. If you had not been the Good Samaritan and rescued me from those thugs I could be dead. You cured a poor drunk and gave me back my life. I will go far in the medical profession. How much is a life worth? How much is my life worth? Go my friend and see to your ship. I will discharge your wife when you come for her.”

  The Captain seemed to be walking on clouds as he joined Chips and Svenska. He decided to say nothing of the new ship at this time. He kissed and hugged his wife and said, “I must be gone for a few days.” He satisfied Chip’s inquiring look with,” We are going to Philadelphia’s shipyard. When I come back Doctor Taylor says you will be rested and can go with me to walk aboard our ship.”

  The two hurried back to the yawl boat and aboard the “LIZZIE MAE” for the last time. Chips was not aware of this. There were the usual questions on Svenska’s progress and what where the next moves to be made.