Crossbone Children and the Orphans of Avalon

by Gregory Ellis

  Crossbone Children and the Orphans of Avalon

  a Novel by GJ Ellis

  Copyright © 2015 GJ Ellis

  All rights reserved.

  Distributed by Smashwords

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1: The Griffin Appears

  Chapter 2: The Dogs of War

  Chapter 3: Home and Gone Again

  Chapter 4: Rescued

  Chapter 5: In Pirate Waters

  Chapter 6: The Most Feared Pirate

  Chapter 7: The Storm

  Chapter 8: Marooned

  Chapter 9: Paradise Found

  Chapter 10: A Plan to Leave

  Chapter 11: Time to Leave the Island

  Chapter 12: News from England

  Chapter 13: The Green Flash Tavern

  Chapter 14: The Dark Princess Appears

  Chapter 15: Freedom and Piracy!

  Chapter 16: On Crossbone Island

  Chapter 17: St. Elmo's Fire

  Chapter 18: Set Sail

  Chapter 19: Battle!

  Chapter 20: Treasure To Be Taken

  Chapter 21: Tortuga!

  Chapter 22: Traitors

  Chapter 23: The Deception

  Chapter 24: Captured

  Chapter 25: The Plan

  Chapter 26: The Arrangements

  Chapter 27: Just Rocks

  Chapter 28: Escape

  Chapter 29: A Good Deception

  Chapter 30: The Duel

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  The Griffin Appears

  Inside the belly of an English ship of war is a dark and smelly place but it is also where the rats live so, that is where you go to hunt them. That may sound laughable to a land-lover who never sailed in a king's ship but if you are constantly hungry a ship's rat can be a fine meal - well, really just a morsel or two to stave off the hunger pangs between the regular meals. In the year 1720 a warship only has so much food to sustain hundreds of crew members for months at sea. For most people, eating a rat is not a natural choice to make but there was nothing else, so rats became just that, a choice. And midshipman, John Henry made the choice to catch one and eat it later.

  John's dark, keen eyes were alive with anticipation as he watched the rat creep along the deck next to the hull. He and his friend William left a small pile of spoiled cheese and rancid butter inside the wooden trap and now waited for their prey to enter. Perhaps the rat sensed something was not quite right, but nonetheless it moved haltingly toward the bait.

  John whispered to his friend William, "Don't move. It's coming along the hull. Pull the string when I signal." William was hiding behind a wooden barrel and nodded as he held the thin string between his fingers. William was a plump boy for his age and he sweat a lot when inside the ship.

  The boys had watched this particular rat for a few days and knew exactly where and when to catch him. They decided to "borrow" some scraps of wood from the ship's carpenter to make their trap. Now all was in place.

  The two midshipmen or "young gentleman" as they were called, fattened up rats by feeding them wormy ship's biscuits for a week or two before they were killed and then skinned. They tasted best when fried with a few biscuit crumbs in some garlic oil and if you did not know the tiny bits of meat had once been a little hairy rodent, it was not too bad. John learned this trick from other midshipmen on the very first day he came aboard the HMS Weymouth nearly four years ago.

  The rat slowly crept forward and was almost to the opening. Both boys grinned, their white teeth were the only bright thing inside the darkened cabin. Just as they were sure the rat would enter their trap, their hopes were dashed when they heard the cry from topside: "All hands on deck!" The boys froze not daring to move but the rat did not hesitate; it beat a hasty retreat back from where it came and would now disappear for hours.

  William spat on the deck as he growled. "Come on then, up we go, don't want to feel the Boatswain's cane on my backside today!

  John ran his fingers through his light-brown hair and shook his head, "So close!"

  The rat was immediately forgotten as the boys ran through the cabin, down the companion way and up the ladder to be greeted by the harsh glare of the sun which momentarily blinded them as they ran to their allotted stations. John's task was to assist the Fourth Lieutenant with the port-side cannons. William's station was to climb up the mast and position himself to relay commands from the deck to the sailors in charge of taking in or spreading more sail so the ship could maneuver wherever the captain desired. Once on deck they heard the sharp crack of muskets firing. The boys stopped momentarily and looked at one another. Apparently this was not a usual summons to their battle stations.

  The crew and officers were all pointing towards the sky. John and William stopped and turned to see where they were looking. A shadow passed over the ship and momentarily blotted out the sun. More shots rang out.

  John shaded his eyes with his hand and could see that it was a huge flying creature of some sort. In the harsh sun light he could see the silver head of an eagle with its long curved beak. The body was that of a golden-brown lion and at the end of each paw were long curved black claws. Two rather long powerful wings propelled the animal effortlessly through the air. The wings were covered in feathers the same color as the body.

  John watched as the creature flew over the tallest part of the ship and with one paw clutched the topmast pole and snapped it off like a twig. Cordage, blocks and wood fell from above. Several sailors ran for cover to keep from getting hit by the falling debris.

  The shots fired from the muskets seemed to have little if any effect on it as it slowly circled the ship. It appeared to be looking for something. John could see the head scanning back and forth like a falcon looking for a field mouse. The eyes of the eagle's head were dark with a rim of gold that seemed to penetrate everything.

  John moved to the ships' railing to get a better look. The creature fixed his eyes on him. With great agility it turned, swooped down next to the side of the ship and stopped in mid-air by flapping its wings in rapid succession causing a strong wind to pass over the deck which blew John's hat off his head. John could not move as he gazed into the creatures golden eyes. He sensed the creature meant him no harm. It was like the creature recognized him. All was silent on deck. No musket fire. No cannon.

  The silence was shattered when someone yelled, "It's a Griffin!"

  As if startled, the creature suddenly turned in midair, gave a few flaps of its powerful wings gaining altitude and flew off in a south-easterly direction.

  The deck erupted in shouts and cries from the crew. Then a powerful voice boomed from the quarter deck, "Stand too!" The voice was that of Captain Wallingford. "This is a Christian ship! We need not fear from this ungodly thing!" Not a sound could be heard from anyone else. It was as if all noises of the ocean had been cut off. No wind could be heard, no creaking of the rigging and no splashing of the waves.

  "Whatever that… thing… is, it is not of God and we will pay it no heed!" Still mesmerized, the crew continued to watch as the creature faded off in the distance. "Warrant Officers, get the crew to their stations and repair the topmast! This is king's ship,
not a London tea party!" The warrant officers went into action and shouted for everyone to get to their allotted stations.

  Another voice was heard from high above the ship, "Sail to starboard!" All heads turned to look up at the lookout stationed high above the ship: "Pirate maybe!"

  Again the voice of the captain shouted up to the lookout. "Best be accurate with your report Mr. Aske, or I'll have you standing watch and watch!"

  Captain Jeremiah Wallingford was a tall, skinny man always impeccably dressed in regulation uniform every time he came on deck. His face was shaded in the shadows of his tricorn hat, his black hair tied neatly in the back. He was a stern, but a fair man and well-liked by the officers and crew and had been in the Navy for better part of forty years.

  Captain Wallingford was a religious man who held regular Sunday meetings with any of the crew who cared to join him. It was said he never cursed and did not partake of strong drink.

  John's friend William came over and said excitedly, "Did you see it? It was looking right at you! It could have swallowed you whole!"

  "Yes, and I hope I never see the likes of him again!" John turned and looked at the captain. Their eyes locked momentarily. To William he said, "You better get to your station. The Captain does not look pleased." John looked away and proceeded to his own station.

  Captain Wallingford grabbed a large telescope and slowly brought it up to his eye. With feet planted wide apart to brace him against the pitching deck, he tried to spot the newcomer. The Weymouth was on patrol in the Caribbean Ocean somewhere near Port Royal, Jamaica. With thousands of unchartered islands large and small it was the perfect place for pirates to hide, dash out and plunder unsuspecting ships. The Captain wanted no more surprises this day, the appearance of that flying beast was enough excitement.

  Wallingford doubted this new sighting was a pirate ship since a Weymouth could easily defeat a pirate. The Weymouth had one hundred cannon and over one hundred and fifty marines plus the regular crew onboard. Pirate ships were small, fast and carried only a few cannon at best. They liked to sail quickly up to their prey, fire their cannon and dash off. They repeated this until the other ship surrendered or was set ablaze. Of course their goal was not to sink or set another ship on fire, for if they did, there was no treasure or prizes to be had.

  The Captain raised his speaking trumpet so the lookout could hear him better, "What do you make of her, Mr. Aske?"

  The reply came moments later, "A Sloop-of-War flying English colors… ten guns maybe. She's seen us and is on a converging tack. Be up to us in about two hours, sir."

  Without expression Wallingford said, "That's better Mr. Aske, next time be more positive in your sightings or I'll know the reason why!"

  The Captain turned to his First Lieutenant. "Mr. Tyler, keep the crew at their stations until she is up to us. I'll have no tricks from pirates this day." The Captain was well aware that just because one ship flew the same flag as his, did not mean they were allies. Pirates carried many different flags and would hoist the English flag as a ruse to get close to their target. "I'm going below. Keep me informed of any change or until they are within hailing distance."

  Mr. Tyler replied, "Aye Sir." With that, Wallingford turned on his heels and disappeared through the door to his cabin and out of the harsh sun, probably to write about the strange bird in the ship's log.

  John, still reeling from the encounter with the beast, tried to relax. Someone called it a Griffin, whatever that was. All he could think about was the way those golden eyes seemed to pierce his very soul. It was an eerie experience and would not be soon forgotten.

  He looked about for any sliver of shade from the sun's harsh rays. The gun crews did the same. Most of the men were hardened sailors, their backs naked and tanned from months in the harsh sun. Most wore no shoes preferring to go barefooted so they could grip the deck easier than in a pair of clumsy shoes. Of course there was a low chorus of conversation as each one talked about the flying animal.

  John leaned against the bulwark next to one of the black cannons. He could feel the sun's rays bouncing off the hot metal of the gun and settled back careful not to touch the cannon which could burn a man's flesh with the slightest touch. He felt his stomach grumble. It was then he thought about the rat.

  A man by the name of Hansen stood near John and said in a low tone, "Oie believe that creature was look'n at you Mister Henry. A Griffin it was too. Oie stake me life on it, Sir."

  "What is a Griffin?" John whispered back.

  Hansen moved closer as he said, "Tis a mythical creature… half eagle and half lion. Oie heard tales of 'em when oie was in other ships but never seen one 'afore. It fancied you, me thinks!"

  "Well, I don't fancy it!"

  Hansen smiled as he replied, "Tis a bad omen if you ask me Sir." He moved back to his position leaving the young midshipman to his thoughts.

  John pushed the Griffin from his mind as best as he could and tried to think about the arrival of the other ship. Perhaps it was bringing fresh orders to the Weymouth. Maybe those orders were the ones they had been waiting for - the order that would send them back to England.

  The Weymouth had been gone from Portsmouth for about four years and was in need of a refit. During those years, she had patrolled off the East coast of the Americas and made port several times in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and then south to the Carolinas and Charleston. Its station was now in the Caribbean to patrol and keep English ships safe from pirates or foreign enemies. The colonies were a strange and wonderful place to visit. The people were rugged and independent. He liked those he met.

  John wrote letters to his parents telling of the many exciting ports and adventures the ship had experienced, but he was anxious to see home again. He missed the carefree days on the estate riding horses and being with his friends. He wondered what they were doing now. Had any of them gone to sea… were any of them still living at home or had they gone elsewhere? He hoped he would see them when they returned home.

  It took nearly two hours for the new ship, the HMS Raven with Lieutenant Tidwell as the commander to draw near the Weymouth. A sloop is a fast, small ship used to carry messages to the other scattered ships of the fleet and to gather information. They were also a prime target for pirates but most English sloops were fast and very well armed. Some carried the mail which meant letters from home and news of the outside world. Information was something every ship craved especially out here on lonely patrols.

  As soon as both ships were in position, all sail was taken in. They idled near each other and Tidwell was rowed across to the Weymouth in a small boat. The Raven's commander climbed up the side of the ship and stood on the deck. The side party snapped to attention as the whistle blew, signaling that a commander of a King's ship was now on board. Tidwell tucked a sealed canvas envelope under his arm as he doffed his hat to the quarterdeck. Mr. Tyler stepped forward and greeted the newcomer. They exchanged words as if they were old friends, then the pair went to the captain's quarters. Another sailor climbed on deck and delivered a canvas bag that would be full of letters and other correspondence from England. Perhaps there was a letter from his parents John thought. A junior Lieutenant from the Weymouth took the bag and handed off Weymouth's mail to him. The sailor saluted the Lieutenant and disappeared down the side of the ship to the waiting boat.

  Everyone on board the Weymouth knew the meaning of the sealed canvas envelope. It meant fresh orders. The meeting in the captain's quarters did not last long. Lieutenant Tidwell soon reappeared on deck and departed down the side and into his boat.

  When all was secure it was announced that all officers and senior Warrant Officers, including the midshipmen were to assemble in the captain's cabin in five minutes.

  Chapter 2

  The Dogs of War

  When all were assembled in the captain's quarters, Captain Wallingford began by saying, "First let me say a word or two about what we saw on deck. As many of you know, the Caribbean can be a strange place. This is the la
nd of many strange religious beliefs. I do not know what that creature was, but there can be no denying its' presence. We all saw it. The ship was attacked but sustained little damage and no one was harmed. I will leave it up to everyone else to explain what it was. Now… let that be an end to it."

  When no one in the room said anything, he continued by telling them the Weymouth had been ordered to return to Portsmouth for a refit. He also announced that before the ship could head for England, they needed to obtain fresh water for the journey. A watering party was to go ashore on the nearest island according to the captain's charts. It was supposed to be uninhabited, but no one knew for sure. It would save time by not having to go to Port Royal first.

  The captain indicated that Lieutenant Richards, the Fourth Lieutenant would lead the party. "Mr. Henry, you will accompany him. Once ashore, you will split up into two parties and look for water. Mr. Richards will take one party, Mr. Henry the other. Make it quick, I don't like the islands along here." He turned and looked at John and with a twinkle in his eye he added, "Perhaps you can catch a fat pig instead of a skinny ship's rat to fill in your stick-like features Mr. Henry!" Laughter filled the cabin.

  Somewhat embarrassed John smiled and managed to replied, "Aye Sir." His friend William laughed as he shoved him slightly

  The Captain continued, "The ship's Cooper will have the water barrels sent ashore. Fill 'em up as fast as you can and get back here double-quick! Put a swivel gun in the bow of each boat and have the men armed with pistol and sword just in case." He looked over the assembled men added, "I want to get underway as soon as possible. It should take us five weeks to reach England but I want to do it in four!" The men laughed. The Captain waited a moment then asked, "Any questions?" When none came he said, "Then be about it!" The group filed out of the cabin anxious to get the watering over with so they could get home as soon as possible. A watering party was not new to John, he had done it before.

  It took the Weymouth nearly half a day for the ship to get within a safe distance of a white sandy shore of the closest unknown island. When the crew was armed and the ship's boats swayed out and put in the water the men climbed over the side and into the waiting boats. The forty men rowed to the beach with very little said between the sailors. They dragged the boats up on the beach and the two parties headed in two different directions in the dense jungle of trees and vegetation in search of fresh water. After months at sea, the men stumbled about on solid ground. They were used to swaying of the deck and the motion of the sea. They had to find their "land-legs" as they called it.