Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure

by Patrick G Cox

  Barclay's face flushed and for a moment it looked as if he would lash out at the small Dutch boy, but a new voice broke the tension.

  "Mister Barclay," the quiet voice of the Fourth Lieutenant checked the angry midshipman, "You should consider your next act carefully."

  "Sir!" Barclay protested, "The boy is intolerably rude and disrespectful. And they are to be sent ashore are they not?"

  Ferghal took advantage of the distraction to herd the boys forward and away from what he felt sure would be a difficult scene and shushed Pieterzoon as he pushed them up the companionway. To his relief Harry was nearby and he was able to hand the boys over and give a quick explanation of what had occurred.

  Quickly he returned to the Gunroom and began to tidy the Dutch boys' few possessions in readiness for obeying Mister Barclay's order. The lieutenant saw this and demanded, "What are you about, O'Connor?"

  "Sir," Ferghal responded, "I was instructed to gather their dunnage and take it on deck, sir."

  "Well don't. Leave it here. It seems they will remain with us a little longer." He turned back to Midshipman Barclay. "There is no suitable accommodation available at present ashore so the Captain has decided our guests will remain aboard until there is." He frowned. "And I suggest you have a care with the views you express, Mister Barclay. It does the ship no credit – especially when you are overheard by their officers."

  Ferghal had barely returned to his mess when he was summoned once more and found himself part of the boat crew detailed to begin ferrying the male convicts remaining in the hold ashore.

  ***

  "Ah, Mister Heron," the Reverend Mister Bentley greeted him. "I am leaving the ship temporarily to take advantage of an opportunity to study the native fauna and to work among the convicts. I hope too to be able to perhaps provide some education for the children. Captain Blackwood has most kindly consented to your assisting me in having my possessions conveyed to my new abode ashore."

  Surprised, Harry nodded, "Certainly Mister Bentley, sir. Shall I summon some hands to carry your chest to a boat?"

  "In due time young man, in due time. I have a favour to ask first." The clergyman hesitated, then asked, "I was wondering if you would be so kind as to make sketches of any specimens I may find? This place has all manner of strange new creatures and birds which I will need to have illustrated for my journals."

  "Of course, sir," Harry was flattered, "How would you wish me to do these – and from what sort of specimen?"

  "Bless you, my boy, I shall have to consider that carefully. The Captain will not permit your attending me ashore for too long so perhaps some may have to be those I have shot or trapped. Will that present a problem?"

  "It is better if I can observe them living, sir, but if they are stuffed or fresh killed it should not be too difficult."

  "Bless you, Harry," the Parson smiled. "Your work on the birds we have seen so far has been remarkable and this place has species unknown until recently, in birds and animals, to Europe. Your assistance in illustrating them will be invaluable."

  Harry departed some minutes later to find some hands to move the Parson's small chest of belongings ashore. He was flattered and intrigued by the request and wondering what he might find himself engaged in drawing in the coming weeks.

  ***

  Casting off the bow painter, Ferghal recovered the trailing end quickly. Coiling the line down he stowed it carefully so that it would be ready for use when the barge arrived at it's destination. He settled into a comfortable position on the bow thwart and watched as the Bullocks eased their muskets and watched their charges, the huddled women convicts filling the spaces between the rowers. Several children interspersed them and each clutched a small bundle of their meagre possessions. Since their rescue from the sinking Maid of Selsey, the women had been accommodated in the space usually used for the tending of the sick and injured on the ship, right at the fore end of the upper gundeck beneath the fo'c's'le. This had, in turn, meant that any trip to the 'heads' to relieve oneself had required passing through the temporary 'prison'.

  "All right for some," muttered the nearest Marine to his companion, indicating a long house fronted by a veranda stood atop a promontory. A pair of elegantly dressed ladies were visible, attended by several officers in the uniform of the loathed New South Wales Corps. Known as the 'Rum Corps' due to their control of all supplies of liquor, these officers and their men enriched themselves at the expense of the convicts they supposedly guarded. The party lounged in the shade of the veranda while raggedly dressed men closer to the water toiled on what appeared to be a kitchen garden. Lieutenant Rae acknowledged the salute of one of the distant officers by raising his hat in acknowledgement and said something quietly to the coxswain. The tiller was adjusted briefly and the boat turned into the main harbour. The small fort sitting atop the islet in the centre of the harbour passed abeam and the boat continued inland following the wide sweep of the river.

  Progress was steady as the laden boat made its way past the fledgling township which seemed to huddle above and around the quaintly named 'Rocks", continuing across the deep inlet beyond the town and several small islands until it reached a point at which they again turned southward and entered a wide bay at whose head stood a ragged straggle of tents surrounded by a rough fence.

  "Bow." The coxswain's growl drew Ferghal's attention. "Stand by to fend off."

  "Aye, aye, 'Swain." Ferghal responded. He couldn't see a jetty, though there appeared to be a shallow beach of mud and rocks. A flock of cormorant's moved reluctantly aside as the boat neared and then, with a rush, the beach, now revealed as mud and shingle, was beneath them. The oars rose to the vertical and were swiftly stowed even as the stem slid gently up the mud. Ferghal leapt overside and held onto the boat, the water reaching his knees even as the oarsmen now joined him in the water and began to pull the boat further onto the beach.

  "Enough lads," Lieutenant Rae called from aft, "Steady her while our cargo disembarks." To the convicts he said, "Pass the children out first, then follow, over the bow, quickly now, we must return for the rest of your people. Rowson, Matthews, lend a hand there."

  The Royals were already out of the boat and standing ready, their muskets checked and primed under the snarled commands of their Corporal as the children began to gather, a little fearfully, at the water's edge. The women followed; resignation, defiance and trepidation showing in their faces as they waded ashore, their ragged skirts raised to do so.

  From the rude camp a group of untidy guards approached, their leader, wearing a sergeant's stripes, saluted casually as Lieutenant Rae stepped forward and said, "Brought us'n 'nother load o' doxies then. A likely looking lot," he added, pawing one of the younger women.

  He froze as the Lieutenant snapped, "Sergeant is it? You are a disgrace to any uniform, and certainly no credit to the one you're wearing. Who is your commanding officer? He shall hear of this behaviour, of that you may be sure." He glared at the rest of the squad, "So you are the Rum Corps." His expression reflected the distaste he was obviously feeling. "You – fetch an officer immediately – and you, Sergeant, remove your hands from the women or taste my steel." Clearly angry the Lieutenant snapped orders to the boat crew and the Marines and the oarsmen swiftly heaved the boat out into deeper water and, with Ferghal scrambling aboard, backed, then turned and was swiftly propelled down the long reach toward the ship. Behind them the women sat or stood huddled in a group with the children under the watchful gaze of the lieutenant and the Royals.

  ***

  The boat returned an hour later to find that Lieutenant Rae had been joined by a foppish Captain of the New South Wales Corps. Clearly put out by the Lieutenant's summons and discomforted by being unable to dismiss the naval officer and his objections the officer looked sulky. The boatload of new arrivals was obviously a welcome distraction, though yet again, the lieutenant made clear his objections to the 'guards' attempts to take liberties with the women. He knew he could not prevent their being abused once
he had departed, but would not countenance the blatant abuse of authority by these men he regarded as little better than their unfortunate charges

  "Damme, sir," the captain objected as the lieutenant ordered one of his 'soldiers' to remove his hands from an older women, "The Governor shall hear of this forthwith!"

  "Indeed he shall, for I shall convey you to his residence myself and make my complaint to him in your presence," snapped Lieutenant Rae. "We did not risk our lives to snatch these women and their children from certain death so that you and your," he raised his chin in disdain, "roughians could use them as you please. Their sentence to this God forsaken place is sufficient and if you've a mind to object to my naming your troop greater felons than those we have conveyed here, then I am content to name my seconds."

  For a moment there was silence. Then the captain looked away, "Oh very well. Sergeant! See that these convicts are housed – and do not take liberties, or you will feel my displeasure and that of the Major."

  ***

  There were repercussions from this confrontation, though they were not direct. Food suddenly became more expensive or unavailable as soon as the Purser attempted to secure fresh supplies. Requests for assistance in other matters also met with excuses or went unanswered, the usual response being that this or that officer had to give approval and the officer concerned was never available. Finally Captain Blackwood had had enough. He demanded an interview with the Governor and named names. He also pointed out that all of the obstructive behaviour would form a part of his reports and would be copied to Madras, Bombay, Calcutta and most importantly, London. Governor King was incensed; himself a Post Captain in the Royal Navy he knew full well what this meant for the ships and the matter was very swiftly resolved.

  As a conciliatory gesture, Captain Blackwood invited the Governor and his senior officers to dinner aboard Spartan and there, for the moment, matters were left. A pragmatic man, Captain Blackwood had no doubt that the abuse of the convicts continued unabated. As he told his lieutenants, "There is little we can do gentlemen, however we may feel on this matter. Nor must we forget that the courts have determined that this is a suitable punishment for the felonies these convicts were charged with." He held up a hand. "Do not mistake me, our own people have as harsh, if not harsher life in some circumstances, at least these felons have a future here to look forward too. Harsh as it may be, they do have the right to settle and even to send for their families once their sentence is expired."

  ***

  Ferghal, now a regular member of the barge crew, watched as the banks drew inwards toward the head of the great harbour. The boat was now making slower progress as the current was against them nosing into the river that disgorged itself into the headwaters of the vast sea lough as he and Harry thought it. Reed banks marked the shallows and insects buzzed, swarmed and bit in the almost stifling heat of the day. Aft, a party of officers, including Captain Kriesler of the Royal Marines sat at their ease. The wealthier among them carried sporting guns, Captain Kriesler having a fine Purdy Rifle as well as a brace of pistols from the same manufacturer. Others, Lieutenant Bell among them, made do with a solid 'Brown Bess' albeit that these were somewhat modified and refined to their use. A small cove opened to the north and the boat swung in toward the muddy beach.

  "Standby in the bows there, Fergie lad," called the Coxswain. "She'll take ground a ways out hereabouts."

  Ferghal acknowledged the instruction and prepared to jump overboard to steady the boat and ensure it did not become stuck. He recalled that this river was named by the natives, so he was told anyway, as the place to catch eels. A strange name he remembered vaguely, something with a 'P'. As he judged his spot and swung himself over the side, the name came to him – Parramatta! With that his feet hit the muddy bottom and he yelped as the mud seemed to erupt with eels swarming from beneath his feet and round his legs. He lost his balance and fell with a splash as the boat almost rode over him, only his desperate grip on the stem saving him from being forced beneath it.

  Around him the water boiled as the eels made their escape and he hauled himself back into the boat in fright with a desperate heave. The stem slid into the mud and the boat came gently to a halt embedded in the ooze. The expressions on the officers' faces aft showed amusement with Lieutenant Bell hardly able to contain his laughter.

  "Well, Coxswain, it seems we have taken ground – but we have also found ourselves a rich supply of eels – or young Fergie has." He guffawed. "I suggest you and the boat crew do your utmost to catch as many as you can. Keep them in water mind, or in this heat they will soon be poison to eat." He glanced at the distance between boat and shore and again at the mud streaked Ferghal and said to the others, "I think we seek another landing place, I don't fancy getting either my shoes or my powder wet wading here. The place is obviously aptly named."

  Lieutenant Beasley indicated an outcrop. "There is a deep channel there, perhaps we could take the boat there and use that as a landing stage?"

  "Good idea," the First Lieutenant turned to the Coxswain, "Make it so."

  ***

  The boat had to be rocked free of the mud, then the oars backed and the barge gently nosed itself closer to the outcrop. Here Ferghal stepped onto the bank and secured the painter to a tree. He was cautious even so, this land seemed to be filled with strange animals, many poisonous and worst of all there were snakes in plenty and his own special nemesis – spiders.

  The officers stepped ashore and several of the boat crew accompanied them as Gillies. Once they had gone, the Coxswain set out a small kedge anchor from the stern and then set about making an eel trap with several others including Ferghal. Soon a canvas 'tank' made from the boat's sail held a writhing mass of eels and the conversation now revolved around the best manner in which to prepare them for a feast.

  The sun was setting when the officers returned, satisfied with a good day's hunting with several large birds that resembled swans, but with black plumage and some of the strangest looking animals Ferghal had ever seen.

  "We dine on kangaroo men," the First Lieutenant told the crew. "A cross they say, between rabbit and mutton."

  "Bloody big rabbit that be, sor," joked one of the older hands. "To big fer Tom the Poacher's pot I'm thinking."

  -

  Chapter 19 — Heat, rum and unrest

  The confrontation with the Rum Corps had other repercussions for the ship. Seamen sent ashore on ship's business met with one of two receptions from the members of the Corps, either false camaraderie and being plied with drink, then robbed and thrown in the clink on the grounds of unruly or disorderly behaviour, or obstruction and being prevented from carrying out their tasks. Sometimes this led to scuffles and Captain Blackwood once more found occasion to discuss the state of affairs with Governor King.

  "The Rum Corps are a damned mutinous crew I'll tell you," the Governor told Captain Blackwood. "They have nothing but their own profit in sight and see the wretched convicts sent here as no more than slaves sent for their use."

  "Did you not have some trouble with the Corps while Lieutenant Governor of Norfolk Island?" Captain Blackwood asked. "I seem to recall some complaints were made and you despatched some of theirs to this place for Court Martial."

  "You have the right of it," the Governor rejoined with a grimace. "And the scurvy crew have not forgot it either." He frowned, "Worse than the wreckers from round Penzance. Far worse than the Brotherhood too. Tell your people to have a care with their dealings with them, they think nothing of stirring up mutiny where they can and where it will profit them."

  "So I have discovered," Captain Blackwood agreed. "With your permission I intend that any of my parties sent ashore from now on will be accompanied by a detail of my Bullocks and some of my more senior Master's Mates." He smiled suddenly. "And perhaps you could spread the word that my ship is short handed and that I have an active Press? The Master of the Maid of Selsey will certainly confirm my penchant for taking seamen where I may find them – several of his cr
ew are now on my book."

  The Governor laughed, "I shall do so – and with pleasure. It will be interesting to see how many of their thugs remain within your reach once the word spreads. Mind, you may find many of the convicts 'volunteering' and that I may have difficulty explaining."

  "The 'rum' they ply in this place seems unlike our normal issue though it is imported, they tell me, for the settlers and convicts but requisitioned almost entirely for the troops – who then sell it to the convicts and settlers at exorbitant prices. My Purser has recently acquired some and it was at a premium price yet the Purser thinks it has been watered. Where do they acquire it?"

  "Officially? From the Indies of course. In fact, much is locally brewed, the best quality is certainly comparable with that from Jamaica, but the worst? Well, it will send a man mad at best and kill him at worst." The Governor paused for a moment and then continued thoughtfully, "Robert, I tell you there are many here and in London that profit hugely from this unhappy traffic in convicts, but it will sow the seeds of rebellion unless London curtails the worst excesses of the Corps. I do my best, I have sent their leader to London for Court Martial – but there he is lionised and feted. I am presented as an ogre, a friend of criminals and the enemy of order. The Court Martial has not been held – for want of evidence it is said." He snorted in anger. "My despatches and all the evidence accompanying them having mysteriously vanished from the Captain's strongbox. And the scoundrel is being permitted to return."