“I’ll do that. How are our clansmen at Fort Argyle?”
“They are fine. We hate having to man that useless fort. Nothing ever happens.”
Patrick recalled Archibald talking about how the men at Darien manned the fort and it suddenly occurred to him that Archibald was concerned about family stationed there.
A barrel of nails was loaded onto William's cart. The giant Scot then tossed Archibald a bag of silver, reminding him, “Be back in two weeks, Archibald ‘McIntosh.’”
Archibald replied with angry Gaelic curse words as William rode off.
“Alright, family. Unload the weapons," Mr. Freeman instructed. "I think the danger has passed. Patrick, I need you to escort the ladies back to their homes and explain to their fathers why they stayed the night. If they feel you not be trusted, tell them to come see me.”
Patrick then walked the ladies to their houses and watched as each were met with angry fathers. Patrick explained what had transpired, but it was not well received. On the walk home, he noticed the Robin sailing out to sea. Patrick wondered why they had left so early. Captain Gibbon’s crew already hated him. Surely cutting their leave short would increase the captain’s chances of not making it back to England. Good riddance to the whole lot, he thought.
* * *
Five months had passed and Patrick welcomed the fall air. Savannah was very beautiful in the fall and was a stark contrast to the filthy dark, gloomy city of London. After living so long, wasting away in a disgusting dungeon, he now took time to appreciate the simple blessings in life. He sat for hours staring at sea birds he had never before seen. His favorite was a black bird that looked like a large gull. The bird would skim across the ocean with its bottom orange bill slicing into the water. When the bird’s lower bill hit a fish near the surface, it would snap it up and fly off, never losing its balance. He also grew to respect the strange pelicans and their fantastically awkward hunting skills. Most of the harvests were now coming in and the blacksmith’s apprentice could see all the rice fields surrounding the town being prepared for winter. It was a bountiful harvest this year and he found himself falling in love with Mari Anna’s corn breads.
The scars on his face were softening over the months. He worked long hours but had grown quickly skilled in making nails, hinges, locks and various tools. He was proud of his Scottish dirk that Archibald had showed him how to make. The blade was well balanced and true but a bit longer than a traditional Scottish knife. He had even grown bold enough to wear it as he traveled around Savannah. The British troops gave him a curious eye but left him to his own devices.
Patrick had quickly grown close to the Freeman family. He was especially enthralled with Heather and found himself unable to focus on any thought in her presence. She even caught him staring at her voluptuous breasts while she was serving him dinner. He was horribly embarrassed but she just smiled. She seemed to enjoy his discomfort. Archibald was like his father he so badly missed. He convinced his employer to help him send a letter back to London to his family, explaining to them that he was alive and well in the colonies. Both men knew it had little hope of ever finding its mark but it was written and sent despite the chances of making it home.
Tensions with the British troops had eased some since Commander Kingsley and Sergeant Luthor had been deployed to fight skirmishes with the Spanish down south, at least until the searches started. Patrick had still never seen the infamous James Oglethorpe in town but the young blacksmith heard the he was infuriated because somebody dared to steal his imported winder they used to spin the silk cocoons raised in his beloved Trustees’ Garden. All his silk cocoons would now just go to waste like most of the rest of the garden. He ordered a town search and his troops tossed all the colonists' homes. Strange men rifled through wives' unmentionables supposedly searching for something the size of a small cannon. This created a hornet’s nest of animosity from the common folk toward the military.
He also saw Isaac occasionally in the morning buying a special kind of bread from Mari Anna. Mari Anna informed Patrick that a Jewish dictate forbade him from eating bread with yeast in it. She did not understand what the Jewish god had against yeast, but she baked flat bread and was happy for the extra money to be made for the unusual bread.
Patrick loved the new work clothes that Prudence had delivered to him. He had never had anything custom made for him. He had been washing them every three days because of the excessive sweating, but Savannah’s heat was breaking a little and he only had to wash his clothes every ten days now. He desperately did not want peasant bloodstains on the thighs of his brand new outfit. The Freemans made jest of his excessive washing, God forbid, two times a week! The indenture took the jokes in stride though. He had spent so many years living in the putrid squalor of the debtors’ prison that he took any chance he had to clean himself. Patrick washed himself every Sunday, while most of the town was at church. Oddly, the Freemans never attended the services held in Johnson Square. One day he thought he might ask why but he loved the alone time he was given and frankly did not care.
Patrick was quickly realizing that Savannah was like a huge melting pot. It was made of British, Irish, Scottish, African, Redskins, German, Polish, Portuguese, and a collection of stragglers from all over Europe. This made the religious worship an interesting mix. So many beliefs all in one place yet most people were tolerant.
Patrick was also combining the gossip from different criers, as well as the news from all over the colonies. He was told nothing of Savannah back on the Robin and was finally beginning to understand his new environment. He reasoned that many immigrants were promised freedom and the escape from the iron fist of the king. To a degree, they were indeed freer. They were allowed to own land and the tax burden was much less than in England. Some families were already creating wealth quickly, which would have been impossible back overseas. Some things had not changed at all though. Colonists were still subjects of the king and his soldiers could do anything they wanted to the colonists without fear of recourse. Patrick believed that the allure of the power the government offered attracted the worst kind of people. Most all of the soldiers were men following power-hungry politicians without question. The soldiers who disobeyed found themselves victim to mortal consequences. As a result, the worst of the worst rose to positions of power. The further up the ranks, the more corrupt and touched in the mind with power they became. Horrible atrocities would befall those that did not accept this situation. Patrick also discovered that people took dangerous risks anyway. Behind closed doors, words of freedom and personal sovereignty were spoken with whispers. He even stumbled upon an entire underground network of people and businesses that worked around Oglethorpe’s rule. A disgruntled disobedience was on the wind.
One early morning of October 1739, Patrick woke to the sound of a ruckus. Heather was pounding on the shed door shouting, “Wake up!” She informed Patrick that Oglethorpe had commanded that the entire town attend his savage consort’s service that day. "If you had not heard yet, Tomochichi and his savages are doing some heathen ceremony for Oglethorpe today." Heather mocked, "Be ready to join the family as we stop work and march ourselves down to Percival Square to console poor Oglethorpe’s feelings.”
The family adorned their most formal outfits and started the walk to Percival square. While walking, Archibald stated to Marian, “We should have gone anyway. I was fond of Tomochichi. I resent being ordered around like a mule." He kicked at the dirt in the road. "I think it soon be time to really think about joining our kin in Darien.”
Marian shushed him and warned, "Let’s not discuss this now with so many 'red' ears around.”
The family turned a corner to view a huge crowd surrounding the square. The entire Yamacraw tribe attended in full dress. Even though Tomochichi had a falling out with the Creek tribe, many Creek still attended out of respect. Putting their differences aside, the Creek and Yamacraw met each other with traditional strong handshakes. The body of Tomochichi had been honored with a
full military parade earlier and now sat in the center of Percival square on a horse drawn cart. Patrick was taken aback at seeing so many savages in one place. They were in full ceremonial dress. Huge headdresses, bright colors, fur, and feathers were everywhere. Many warriors were there. They had their hair cropped with a long central lock representing the traditional style of the Creek Indian. The warriors were also covered with ritual tattoos and pierced earlobes. He sensed the gravity of the event and, as far as he knew, no white man had ever witnessed the secret Creek Indian burial ceremonies.
Heather leaned over and whispered to Patrick, “The rumor circling today is this is only the internment ceremony. The Yamacraw already did a vast array of private rituals no white man may witness over the last few days. As part of Tomochichi’s last request, he asked to be buried in Savannah to foster peace between our nations. I think he just loved all the white man’s praise and attention. It made him a big fish to his people.”
Four loud blasts sounded from a cow horn to summon the Yamacraw to the center of the Square. Five elders were holding large feathered ceremonial staffs that had broom ends. They then used the broom/staffs to sweep the crowd of groups. Patrick found it very odd how the tribe elders directed people to sit by pointing their lips.
The indenture then saw the esteemed Oglethorpe for the first time when the elders allowed the white leader to speak before they would begin with their scared rituals. He wore a formal military uniform with a new white wig. He solemnly walked to the center of the Yamacraw crowd and spoke sincerely to them. Oglethorpe kneeled in front of Tomochichi’s wife, Senauki, and his nephew, Toonahowi, and spoke respectfully. Oglethorpe’s friend, Mary Musgrove, translated English to the Yamacraw. She was the widow of a prominent South Carolina Indian trader who traveled with and was befriended by Tomochichi. She was born of mixed blood to a Tuckabachhee lower Creek Indian woman and Edward Griffin. She was married off to John Musgrove to foster peace between the Creek and the English. John met the Coweta headman, Brims. The English had earlier designated as “emperor” so that, in the eyes of the English at least, Brims could speak for the other chiefs or headmen. She was held in a position of prominence with her people and, even though the trustees of Savannah did not like her, Oglethorpe adored her and trusted her. She was now remarried to her indenture which was considered scandalous by Savannah upper-class socialites. She translated Oglethorpe’s words to the stoic Yamacraw crowd.
“Tomochichi was a great chief. The counsel in sky will welcome him with the pipe of peace. The king and the people of Savannah owe him a great debt for all the help he gave us settling this town. Let us not forget his greatness and wisdom which helped us negotiate a treaty with the lower Creek. He was a great warrior and a noble savage.”
Patrick was surprised when he eyed Commander Byron Kingsley in the crowd. He grew nervous knowing that muckraker was back in town. The commander rolled his eyes in disgust and disrespect while listening to Oglethorpe’s heart filled speech.
The white leader continued, “I got to know him and his family well when we traveled to England together back in the Lord’s year of thirty four. He was the toast of England and his majesty the king considers him a great loss.
18th century painting of Tomochichi and Oglethorpe visiting London
"Let us not forget the noble work of John Wesley, Benjamin Ingham, Peter Rose, The Salzburger community and the noble chief. They all worked together to establish the Indian school at Irene to help teach Indians of the Lord and abandon their savage ways. I want to proclaim to all, Yamacraw and Creek: so honored is this great chief that Savannah will forever know his name and his grave will rest here, undeterred till the end of time. A pyramid will be erected with an inscription in brass, so all generations will know his name and deeds." Oglethorpe bowed to the tribe and sat in an honorary position next to Senauki and Toonahowi. As Oglethorpe sat down, a line of redcoats in full dress came up and presented arms. They raised their muskets into the air and fired an honorary volley of shot.
Heather whispered to her father asking, “Did they ever find out who killed that nice Indian named Skee?”
Archibald responded, “I know it had to be John Musgrove’s servant named Justice because his life was taken by Skee’s relative named Essteeche. The whole thing smells of scandal and whenever scandal is involved, I look no further than Commander Byron Kingsley.” The father then warned sternly, “You and your lasses stay far away from that commander, do you understand?”
“Aye, father,” she obediently responded
Patrick watched as the honored rituals and the sacred ceremony started. As Creek tradition insisted, only the friends of the family could dig the grave. Tomochichi’s own family sat and watched while the warriors of the tribe dug. During the digging, the squaws danced and chanted their last goodbyes. This part of the ritual of digging, chanting and dancing took over an hour. To pass the time, Patrick whispered to Archibald, “Why would this savage help the white man bring more white men here?”
Archibald explained quietly, “The Yamacraw have an enemy tribe in the south who have sided with the Spanish. For fear of extinction, Tomochichi befriended the English. When Oglethorpe needed help establishing Savannah, Tomochichi saw the opportunity to win favor for his tribe. It also didn't hurt that Oglethorpe and the trustees stuffed his mouth with gold.” He smiled as he continued, “As with most savages, he did not keep the gifts for himself but distributed it to his tribe to reward rank. I also think he was motivated by the fame and respect the white men gave him. He actually liked being referred to as a ‘noble savage’.”
A group of warriors then lifted the coffin Oglethorpe provided for the chief. They used ropes to lower the pine box into the hole dug in the ground. The chants and dancing continued as the casket was lowered.
The master blacksmith spoke sarcastically, “If that chief be ninety-seven years aged like they say he was, then I am the King of Scotland. No man would still be a warrior at his age. Look how young his skin is. I'd guess he was no older than sixty! Well let’s depart. We have done enough for king and country today and I need to be quenching my thirst.”
Most of the whites were departing but the natives continued to mourn at the tomb. As Patrick looked back, he saw the warriors starting to make a pyramid mound out of stones over the grave.
Chapter 8
Fort Mose,
Liberty, and Honor
The Freemans approached their home in a hushed walk so as not to disturb the closing ceremonies of Tomochichi’s burial. Archibald and Patrick returned to the shed so Archibald could hide his Scottish broadsword he wore for the ceremony. The men froze when they heard a loud crash inside the shed. The master blacksmith drew the large broadsword while the apprentice grabbed an extinguished torch to use as a club. They stood close and Archibald threatened, “Come out with peaceful intent or I will run you through!”
Movement and a hushed conversation could be heard in the shed.
“Come! Present yourself in front of me now or I will raise arms!” the angry blacksmith demanded.
Slowly, a crying black woman stepped out of the shed with open palms. She was followed by a skinny African man who also presented his open hands. He quickly explained in a nervous voice, “I be very sorry. We just searching fo’ scraps of food. We done been robbed by road agents and not eaten a ting in days, sir. Please, mister, we stole no wares. Just let us be on way.”
“Sit down,” Archibald commanded with his sword pointed. The nervous colored couple sat on the stumps for splitting wood outside the shed. “Go take inventory of the shed, Patrick. See if they be speaking true,” the smith instructed.
Alick and Gloria are caught
An uneasy truce was called while the apprentice searched the shed loudly. This attracted the rest of the Freemans, who watched in shock from the backdoor of their home.
“Good sir, I find nothing amiss,” Patrick reported.
“Marian, can you bring me that basket of apples we have in haste,” Archib
ald asked his wife.
Marian offered the basket to the shaking couple, “Here, relax.”
“I will give you as much food as you desire but in return I want you to tell me your real story. Your fresh shackle bruises tell me your possessions were not taken by road agents. You two are runaways or I am a fool,” Archibald offered.
“My name be Alick, sir, and dis be da wife Gloria. It true. We be on da run from Charles Town,” the black man stopped to bite into an apple.
Heather and Marian took seats as the tension relaxed. “Tell us more, Alick,” Heather prodded.
"We from da Kingdom of Kongo and our friends and family be forced inta service. Many of us from dar. One of Cato’s slaves, Mr. Jemmy, stirred up da lot of us. We was treated much worse den all da utta slaves we know. Da beatin’s be very bad. Twenty of us slaves rise up and go running from da Ashley River, it be north of da Stono River. A few men used ta be soldiers and started making weapons from whatever we found on da way.” Alick boasted, “We kept goin’ south and da news spread. We liberated about sixty slaves from der harsh masters.”
Archibald looked dismayed, “How many white masters did you kill?”
“We took revenge on twenty of da white devils and took der things and weapons,” he said with dismay. “Da militia from da Carolinas caught up wit us at Edisto River and a great battle took place. Dey killed forty-four of da slaves. We killed twenty of da white devils. Da survivors went running and da militia hunt dem down. We be da only ones left I tink. Please good, sir, I never killed any whites in those battles. I don’t have it in me ta kill anyone. Dat is why we have no weapons and we run fast. Those were evil men and deserved ta meet da devil." The fugitive slave pleaded, "Please just let us go on our way and forget we be here.”
Pirates of Savannah: The Complete Trilogy - Colonial Historical Fiction Action Adventure (Pirates of Savannah (Adult Version)) Page 11
