Caribee

by Christopher Nicole

  They left Windward at noon, and made their way through the forest, Hilton, Edward and Susan in the van, the Irishmen bringing up the rear. They reached the high woods overlooking Sandy Point at dusk, and waited there the night. Hilton stood in the midst of his men and glared at them, huge mouth wide, but not smiling tonight. 'You'll mark my words,' he said. 'There'll be no drinking, and no singing. And no playing on the flute, Brian Connor. Paddy O'Reilly, I'm putting you in charge, and you'll answer to me for any breach of discipline.'

  ‘I'll do that, Mr Hilton, sir,' O'Reilly agreed. ‘I'll break the jaw of the first man who pipes up.'

  'Aye. Now as to tomorrow. You'd do well to listen. We aim to make this colony a free place, and to restore Mr Warner to his just rights as the Governor's son, confident that when he has those powers and responsibilities, he will take care of them who supported him. And all other Irishmen in the colony. But not one of us must in any way prejudice his position. There's to be no firing, not even a raised sword, without the express orders of either Mr Warner or myself. I want no bloodshed if we can avoid it. As for rape or robbery, by God, the first man who lays a hand on anything which is not his, be it woman or piece of cloth, I'll hang him from the clock tower within the hour, and leave him there to rot. You understand me, O'Reilly?'

  'Oh, yes, sir, Mr Hilton. I'll keep me lads in order.'

  'See to it. Now eat your food and get some rest.' He returned through the trees to where Edward gazed down at Sandy Point, so quiet in the gathering darkness. The breeze was off the land, as usual at dusk, and no sound came up from the town. Nor was any movement to be discerned. But lights were starting to wink in the windows, and on the ships riding at their moorings in the roadstead.

  'Satisfied?' Hilton demanded.

  "You're a born leader of men, Tony. I wish I had your confidence. Yes, friend, I am satisfied. But yet disturbed. You say you have word that the main part will support us when we make our play?'

  ‘I have Jarring's assurance, certainly. And he knows his people, as they do their drinking in his tavern.'

  'He knows we are here, now?' Edward asked in alarm.

  ‘I'm not that stupid. He'll know we're here, like everyone else in the town, when we choose to let them know. And then it will be too late to do otherwise than acquiesce.'

  'There are points I doubt you've considered. Not everyone will join.'

  ‘I expect no more than half. But these will be sufficient.' 'And the others? Mailing and Hal Ashton?' ‘I've no mind to harm them, or anyone, Ned. Providing they are sensible about it. They can take one of the ships.' 'And return with an army?’

  ‘I doubt that. We'll make this colony so strong it would take an army to reduce us. And if King Charles is that in need he is reduced to taxing colonies at a distance of three thousand miles, where will he afford an army to send against us? 'Tis certain he'll not be able to promise them plunder.'

  'You've an answer for anything. So tell me what do we do with our Irishmen when the victory is won? Twenty fighting men, with arms in their hands.'

  Hilton laid his finger on his nose. 'There's the point. Jarring claims to favour you, Ned, but who knows how deep that favour lies? He'll have no choice, tomorrow. He must favour you, and he must rally every man he can, and every woman, too, by God. It's that or being ruled by Paddy O'Reilly. They'll not accept that.' 'By God, but we gamble, Tony.'

  'All life is a gamble, Ned. And I for one would not have it otherwise. Look on this gambler, Ned, and say I have not done too badly.'

  'You have not hitherto aimed so high,' Edward pointed out.

  'You'd not backslide now, boy? Those men back there would tear you limb from limb.'

  ‘I'll not backslide,' Edward promised.

  'So come and get some sleep. There'll be none for the next day or two.'

  ‘I'll sleep,' Edward said. ‘In time. Just leave me here.'

  Hilton hesitated, and then nodded, and withdrew into the bushes. But, as Edward had supposed he might, he soon sent a replacement. Tony Hilton might be a gambler, but he believed in controlling the odds where it was possible.

  She lay on the grass beside him, looking down on the village. ‘I can never do that without a shiver.'

  He nodded. 'You above all of us have cause to hate, for wishing a change maybe.'

  She rolled on her back, lay pillowed on her hair, looking up at him. 'Ye'll be a good governor, Ted. Ye've compassion.'

  ‘I'd not been aware that was a requisite. A governor must govern, and sometimes that is hard.'

  ' Tis still easier to lead than to drive. I've a mind this colony has been fortunate, because of the state of affairs in Europe. Should England and Spain come to war again, and it could happen any day, then it might be necessary to make these people fight, and then ye would count yourself happy had ye not to look over your shoulder.'

  'Schemes, intrigues,' he said. 'Even from you. Tell me straight, Susan; were you no more than the bait of Tony's trap?'

  She gazed up at him, and past him, at the darkening sky. ‘I know nothing of Tony's plans, Ted. I plan nothing. Whatever

  I do, I do from my heart. I have always done that. But now I am happy. I think I need ye both. And ye will have to share me now. My belly is full.'

  'You ... does Tony know this?’

  ‘I have not told him, yet.'

  'And who is the father?’

  She smiled. 'Now, there is a problem, would ye not say? Will it not bind us closer together?’

  Edward looked down at the village; only the lights were visible. 'Or drive us irretrievably apart. And how can you be sure?'

  ‘I no longer bleed.'

  ‘It cannot have been more than once. That can be caused by too many things.'

  'Yet a woman knows, Ted. I have life, within me. I would have ye know this.'

  'Tricks,' he said. 'Plans. What would you have me do?'

  ‘I would have ye love me, tonight. I wish that more than anything else in the world.'

  'And when I tell you I cannot? I am the possessor of the limpest rag in the Caribbean Sea. Or maybe the world.'

  "Then I must remain chaste.' She put her arms around his neck, and pulled his head down to hers. Her lips were as inviting as ever, but not even their touch could awaken him. As she very rapidly realized. She sighed, and sat up. 'And sorry. Why are ye this way? Because I am pregnant, or because of tomorrow?"

  'Tomorrow,' he said. 'All things wait on tomorrow.'

  It came at last, the first glow of light rising around Mount Misery in their rear, and stretching long pink fingers over the sky towards the dark western horizon. It brought a crow from the cock, walking his empire in Jarring's backyard, and a responding bark from one of the dogs. The waiting was at an end.

  Edward had not slept, although he had scarce moved, had remained watching the winking lanterns slowly the, except where they rode by the anchor watches on the ships. Beside him the girl had slept, breathing slowly and deeply. No girl, if indeed she was pregnant. No girl, anyway. But Hilton had not come, looking for his bride. He had let her remain close by Edward. There was always intrigue here, surrounding him like a morning mist, and no less thick and clammy.

  But this morning there was no mist. The air was as clear as ever in this climate, the skies were also empty. Once before he had watched the dawn coming up while crouching in the bushes. The memory of that day, of the screams and the smells, and above all of the bestiality which had overtaken the white men, haunted him, and would haunt him to his dying day. And these men at his back were not even civilized, by the standards he would set. Wild Irish, clutching sword and pistol and musket like the pirates they would rather be.

  'Time,' Hilton said. 'Now then, Paddy O'Reilly, Mr Warner and I, and ten of your people, will make straight for the Governor's House, and there we will seize Mr Ashton, and Mr Philip Warner, and place them under restraint. You will take the chapel, and place Mr Mailing under arrest. And remember what I said about violence. But you will need no more than half a dozen men f
or that. Send your remainder around the houses, waking up your compatriots, and summoning them to met in the street before the church. No noise, now, and all quiet. When we are ready, I will fire a pistol into the air, and you will then toll the bell. Understand me, Paddy, I'll cut down the first man who disobeys even the thoughts in my head.'

  'You have me word, sir,' O'Reilly said with considerable dignity. 'Me boys will be quieter than the grave.'

  'But what happens when the ships learn there is something amiss on the shore, sir?' Connor asked. 'Will they not fire into us?'

  'They will not,' Hilton promised. 'For two reasons. Firstly, there are only half a dozen men on board each ship, and secondly, they will not risk firing into the town where are the women and children, as well as their own shipmates. They'll wait upon the outcome of the business ashore, and we all know what that will be.' He glanced at Edward. 'You give the signal.'

  'Then we do no good by waiting here.' He scrambled to his feet. 'But you have forgotten the most important task of all. The men Ashton and Mailing have imprisoned. There is our surest support.'

  'By God,' Hilton cried. 'But you are right. Paddy, you'll see to them.'

  O'Reilly grinned and nodded. 'That I will, Mr Hilton.'

  'And have ye no task for me?’ Susan demanded.

  'Aye,' Hilton said. 'A severe one. To remain here in patience until either Edward or myself comes to you. Mark this well, now. It should not take long, and you can oversee whatever happens.'

  She nodded. 'Well, then, Godspeed to you all.'

  'Godspeed,' Edward whispered, and set off down the hill.

  Slowly it became lighter, but the village seldom awoke at dawn, although there would be stirrings in the houses, children crying, women getting up to boil water. It was a time for haste. He led them down the hill at a steady jogtrot, although they travelled with commendable silence, twenty ghosts going about a dreadful task. They reached the beach, and Hilton waved his arm. He, Edward, and the main party, dashed straight up the street, leaving the others to take up their positions more slowly.

  A dog barked, and then another, but Edward was already at the porch to the Governor's House. Here he paused to draw his sword, and heard the rasp of ten others being made ready behind him. No door was ever locked on Sandy Point; he pushed it gently back. The parlour was empty. Empty, too, of the scent of stale tobacco, which it always held during Tom Warner's residence.

  Behind the parlour an open doorway gave access to the hallway, off which opened the kitchen and scullery; at the end of this hallway the flight of straight steps gave access to the upper floor. At Hilton's signal two of the Irishmen remained on guard, one at the front door and the other at the back. The remainder tiptoed up the stairs behind Edward.

  They entered another corridor, off which opened the three bedrooms, their windows overlooking the front of the house, beneath the huge porch. 'Yarico sleeps in the first one,' Edward whispered. 'You'll secure her, Tony. Gently, now. She is not likely to scream, at the least. Connor, my sister used to sleep in the centre room, so it is odds on that Mr Ashton will be occupying that. Place him under arrest. Again, gently. I will see to my brother. Wait for my signal.'

  He tiptoed along the dark corridor, only dimly illuminated by the morning light as it drifted through the closed shutter at either end, paused outside Philip's door, raised his hand and threw it open.

  'What?' Philip sat up, hair tousled. 'Edward? What?’

  Two of the Irishmen had followed Edward in.

  ‘I wish no trouble, Philip,' Edward said. ‘In which event you will not be harmed. For the time being you are under arrest. Fetch those weapons.'

  One of the men darted across the room, picked up Philip's sword and pistols.

  ‘You have lost your wits,' Philip said. 'Father will have you hanged.'

  'Father is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean,' Edward pointed out. 'You'd best remain here, Jocko.'

  'Aye, aye, sir,' Jocko agreed, taking his place by the door.

  'Mr Warner. Mr Warner.' Comior's voice was anxious. "The centre room is empty, sir.'

  Edward ran into the corridor, heart pounding, a dreadful weight seeming to accumulate, slowly, in the pit of his belly. The door to Sarah's room stood open, and the bed had not been slept in.

  'Bad.' Yarico's voice came to him. 'You will die. You, Hilton, and all your people.'

  Edward stood in the doorway. She sat up in bed, naked, only half concealed beneath the covers, nor did she seek to protect herself in any way as she gazed at the intruders with angry eyes. Little Tom lay beside her, pillowed in the crook of her arm, staring at the white men in terror.

  'Ed-ward,' she said. 'War-nah will flog you.'

  'Oh, she's a tiger cat,' Hilton said. 'But she's only talk, at the moment. All secure?'

  'Ashton isn't here,' Edward said.

  'What do you mean?'

  'He isn't here,' Edward shouted. And at that moment the bell began to toll.

  'What in the name of God....' Hilton ran to the shutter and threw it open. 'By Christ.'

  Edward stood beside him. The street below was filled with men all carrying arms, milling about at this moment, but being brought to order by Hal Ashton and William Jarring.

  Yarico gave one of her utterly delightful laughs. 'You look for Hal?" she asked. 'He no sleep here. Not this night. He got friend. You ain't know that, Ed-ward?'

  'That old lecher,' Hilton said. 'That we'd be knocked up by an over-active tool. By Christ ... I could drop him from here.'

  'No,' Edward said. 'What of Jarring?'

  'He has made his decision. We have time to withdraw, Ned. We can escape across the field and into the forest. They'll not follow us there. And if they do, we'll break a few heads for them.'

  'What of Paddy O'Reilly?'

  The door to the Chapel was shut.

  'He'll have fallen by now. How else were the people to be alarmed?’

  'Not by Paddy,' Edward said. 'We cannot desert him. We must negotiate.' 'Negotiate?'

  Edward ran to the head of the stairs. 'Close that door,' he shouted. 'And push furniture against it. Connor, get down there and help him. And then close all the shutters and bar them, and stand by them.'

  Connor hesitated. 'You'll not let them take us, Mr Hilton? There'll be no negotiations for us. It'll be the rope.'

  Hilton chewed his lip.

  'They'll take you over my dead body, Connor,' Edward promised. 'But hurry.'

  For the crowd was moving up the street.

  There's to be a fight,' Hilton muttered. 'They'll come to us, without Ashton. I can drop him, Ned. His chest sticks out like a flag.

  ‘You'll not,' Edward shouted. 'Hal? Your oldest friend, after me? Before me, by God.'

  Hilton sighted along the barrel of his pistol, and then lowered it. 'You're an honourable man, Edward. Or you entirely lack stomach. I hope you've sufficient to stand on the gallows without shaking.'

  'Bar those windows,' Edward said.

  'You frightened, white man,' Yarico said. 'You die.'

  'Edward,' Philip said. 'You'd best surrender at discretion. There are sixty men out there. You'll not stop them.'

  'For Christ's sake, shut up,' Edward shouted. ‘I'll gag the next person who speaks.'

  He leaned on the window, looked down. From below there came the hangings of the windows and doors being boarded up. This was the strongest house in the town, after the church. Between them they could sustain a long siege; there would be no lack of food and water in either building, for Mr Mailing lived in a room behind the vestry. But it would cost lives. And it would raise a fund of bitterness not to be alleviated in a few days, or perhaps even a few years.

  And what would happen to Susan, alone on her hilltop? What had already happened to her, indeed? She would be able to see that something had gone wrong.

  He threw the shutters wide again as the men approached. 'You'll stop there, Hal,' he called. ‘I've armed men posted.'

  Ashton looked up, blinking; Jarring pointed
to the window. 'Edward?' the sailing master called. 'This is madness, boy. What do you mean?’

  'To claim my rights as Edward Warner,' Edward said.

  'Why, boy, you have just thrown them all away,' Jarring said.

  ‘I speak to you, Hal,' Edward said.

  'Mr Jarring is right, Edward,' Ashton said. 'For God's sake, boy, I count myself your friend, and I would assist you in every possible way. But this is mutiny, against the lawfully constituted government of this island.' He took off his hat and wiped sweat from his face. 'And to ally yourself with the labourers, why, boy, that is not only criminal, 'tis downright madness.'

  'A man must find his friends where he may, Hal,' Edward said. ‘I demand safe conduct.'

  'You demand?' Jarring asked. 'By God, boy, you're in no position to demand anything. You're outnumbered and besieged.'

  'And armed,' Edward said. 'And, if need be, desperate. We'd not have bloodshed, Hal, but by God you'll find our fives expensive.'

  Ashton spoke sharply to Jarring, who would again have replied, and then faced Edward.

  'Safe conduct, you say? Where would you go?"

  Hilton appeared at the window. 'There's ships in the harbour, Hal,' he called. 'We'll take one of them.'

  ‘I might have known you'd be involved in this, Tony,' Ashton said. 'You were ever a pirate at heart.'

  'No more,' Hilton said. 'Not unless I'm forced to it. We'll take ourselves to Nevis. There's a fair offer, Hal. Tis sure that to remain here will but perpetuate unrest. In Nevis we can go our own way.'

  'You and how many?’ Ashton inquired.

  'My wife and followers here, for a start. And anyone else who chooses to accompany us. Tis fair.'

  'To allow mutineers to escape, free?" Jarring cried. 'What would the Captain say? By God, he'd hang the lot of us. And be in his rights.'

  'Then take your chances, scoundrel,' Hilton shouted, and fired.

  The ball did no more than kick dust in front of the assembly, but it acted like a cannon shot. Men ran in every direction, taking shelter behind houses and in ditches; several returned fire immediately, and the bullets thudded into the wooden walls of the Governor's House.

  Edward stepped away from the window. 'Now there was a cursed stupid thing to do, Tony. I'd have persuaded them.'