Crossbone Children and the Orphans of Avalon

by Gregory Ellis

  "No my friend, Sir Duncan must not expect anything. You stay in Port Royal if you please. When I know something, I'll contact you."

  To which Cumberbatch replied, "Me and Jack will nose around town and see what we can find out."

  The boat entered the harbor and they beached the cutter along with some other fishing boats. Mr. Cumberbatch put the telescope, sextant and compass in a canvas sack which he casually slung over his shoulder.

  Months ago with the Weymouth docked in Port Royal, John never left the ship, so he did not really know the town. They walked along filthy narrow streets with garbage lying all around. Men and women were laughing and hollering to nobody in particular. All appeared to be drunk or in the process of getting that way and it was still early in the afternoon.

  Everywhere people were busy going about the business of the day. There were one and two-story buildings, taverns, shops and a never-ending supply of wares for purchase in the open market, their proprietors with wagons full of merchandise shouted for people to come and see what they had.

  Cumberbatch had been here many times but the two boys marveled at all the items for sale, trinkets, clothing, bananas and other fresh fruit. Cumberbatch guided them to a shop that catered to the rich in selling clothing and accessories.

  "Perhaps you two should stay outside while I go in." John had said before he went into the shop. "Here take this bag with my sextant and telescope. We don't want to lose them." Buster Jack and Cumberbatch crossed the street and sat down under a palm tree to enjoy its shade.

  As John entered, the shopkeeper gave him snarled look. "Look here young fellow; this is not a place for the likes of you. Be on your way!"

  John took the coin purse from his pocket and shook it. The sound was pleasant to the shopkeeper's ear. That instantly changed the shopkeeper's attitude completely. He trotted over and smiled, "Oh excuse me, young Sir. I took you for a common street urchin. What can I do for you?"

  John instantly switched his character to that of a snobby aristocrat. "Well sir, I don't know if I'll stay. You have already insulted me with your haughty looks!"

  "I am terribly sorry, young Sir. Obviously I was mistaken. Please forgive me!" He pleaded.

  John waved his hand, "Oh very well. I am Lord Henry of Carrick and I simply must have a complete new outfit. You see, the ship I was traveling in ran a ground, or something like that, and everyone aboard was killed except me. I was marooned for days on end, what. That is how I came to look rather shabby, I must say. I suppose I can't really blame you for mistaking me for some kind of riff-raff. Tell me good sir, I was to meet Sir Duncan Peck but as I explained, I was rather detained. Could you be so kind as to tell me where his plantation is located?"

  The round little bald man was sweating profusely as he took John's measurements and told where to find Sir Duncan. "When we are finished here, I'll secure a coach to take you there My Lord."

  "Splendid!" John replied.

  John was able to buy a new pair of buckled shoes, new breaches, new socks, new shirt and dark-blue waistcoat with gold trim and as much as he did not want to, he bought a light-blue coat with matching gold lace. To top it all off, he bought a tricorn hat with white plumed feathers around the rim and a walking stick to complete his looks. He looked every bit the young gentleman of station and property. John asked for a bag to put his old clothes in and the shopkeeper was surprised at the request. "You mean you want to keep those dirty rags?"

  John turned up his nose, "Might as well… perhaps I can give them to some poor fellow out on the street, what!"

  The shopkeeper and John strolled out to the street and the proprietor wobbled down the street in hopes of hiring a coach for his young customer and since John had paid in gold, the little man was trying his best to impress him. John smirked in amusement as he casually walked across the street to where he saw his two friends sitting. Cumberbatch had fallen asleep but Buster Jack was busy watching the comings and goings of the people.

  Buster Jack spotted John coming towards them. "You be brighter than a new shilling!"

  Startled, Cumberbatch did not recognize John at first, "Aye, you be brand new to my eyes Mr. Henry!"

  John spoke in low tones, "The shopkeeper is fetching a carriage to take me to Sir Duncan's plantation. Here…" he tossed the bag of his old clothes to Buster Jack. "Keep these for me along with the bag I gave you. I might need them later."

  John felt around inside his waist coat and produced a few gold coins and handed them to Cumberbatch. "Find a room in town. I will try and be back tomorrow. If I don't come back in two days from now, you come looking for me, but be careful."

  "Aye, Mr. Henry, we will be at the Green Flash Tavern, I knows the owner well. We'll see what we can find out. Sometimes regular folk knows more than most."

  John smiled, "I'll leave it in your capable hands then, Mr. Cumberbatch." To Buster Jack he repeated his assurance, "Don't worry, Jack, I'll find her and then we'll make plans to free her." From the corner of his eye, he saw the shop keeper returning. "Have to go now. Take care, my friends."

  Two horses pulled the open carriage which rolled to a stop in front of them. Great beads of sweat clung to the shopkeeper's forehead, his face red from exertion. "Here you be, Sir. The driver knows your destination and will take you there straight away."

  John smiled to the shopkeeper and tossed him a coin for his efforts, "Thank you, my good fellow. I shall remember you to all my friends when I speak of Port Royal!" He climbed into the coach and the driver snapped the reigns and the carriage bolted away. Cumberbatch and Buster Jack had to hide their laughter!

  The carriage rolled through the town and onto the causeway that linked Port Royal to the mainland. In the distance the land was covered with trees and vegetation. John saw mountains in the distance and low lying hills close by. The green hills were covered in sugar cane and John could see workers of all ages and nationalities toiling in the hot Jamaican sun. He saw black slaves from Africa which made up the majority of the workers, but here and there white people and children were working side-by-side with them. The fields were so large, it was hard to know where one ended and another began. John had no idea it was so large.

  The carriage covered the short distance to the plantation, which was about a mile from the causeway. They pulled up to a magnificent home made of stone, brick and mortar with large white wooden columns at the front entrance. Elegant flowers and trees adorned the grounds and looked as grand as any garden he had seen in London. How many slaves did it take to care for all this, he did not know but he was sure it must be hundreds.

  A proper looking black man dressed in a red coat uniform which designated him as a house slave, rushed down the steps and helped the sole occupant to step down. John acted indifferent to the servant even though it pained him to do so. He acted well the part of a rich young man. He took his time and stood looking up at the house and then glanced around the grounds. Then as if to give his approval, he walked up the steps to the large white door. As if by magic, the door magically swung open. Inside was another house servant dressed in the same uniform who bowed slightly as John entered.

  He stood in the middle of the hall and glanced around at the richness of the room. It was round in nature. The brilliant white walls were lined with portraits of individuals and landscapes, none of which he recognized. Two staircases on either side of the room curved upward to the second floor balcony which, he assumed, led to the rooms upstairs.

  A white, middle-aged man wearing a different uniform rushed into the room. He smiled and introduced himself as Thursby, the head butler for Sir Duncan.

  John did not return the smile. He simple said, "I am Lord Henry, freshly arrived from England. I wish to see Sir Duncan at once."

  Thursby bowed and it was clear he did not like doing so, having to acknowledge a mere boy as his better. "I believe Sir Duncan was expecting you a number of weeks ago, my Lord."

  John, "Yes, well… it was a dreadful experience. A storm forced the ship to hit some
rocks on an island and was destroyed. I alone survived in this dreadful heat and had to eat raw berries and hide from savage natives, what."

  Thursby tried to sound sympathetic, "That does sound awful. No other survivors except you?"

  John replied as if he did not care about any others. "No… not a single soul. I was all alone."

  Satisfied with the story, Thursby explained, "I'll try and locate Sir Duncan. I'm afraid he left this morning for the fields, but I'll send a boy to announce your arrival. Would you care to sit out on the terrace in the shade? I'll have refreshments brought immediately."

  John nodded, "That would be most welcome. Lead on." He hated acting this way, but had seen rich men and women, those with titles and position barely recognizing servants or those of a lesser station. That was not how he had been raised.

  Thursby led John through the entranceway, straight back through double doors and outside again onto the terrace. The terrace was shaded by an awning constructed directly overhead which afforded shade in the afternoon. Thursby motioned for John to sit in a chair with a small end table to his right on which sat a little silver bell.

  "Please be seated, Sir. If there is anything you desire, just ring that bell on the table. Please excuse me, Sir."

  John murmured, "Very well, my good man."

  The butler disappeared and almost immediately another servant appeared with a class of cool juice of some kind and placed it within easy reach of the table and, without a word, he too disappeared back into the house leaving John alone, staring out at the immaculate grounds of the house. John sipped the juice which was quite tasty and refreshing.

  As he sipped the juice, he looked out at the grounds in front of him. He could see steps that descended the hill. The grounds were covered with lush green grass adorned with colorful shrubs, flowers and small trees. Beyond the lawn, the ground flattened out into a large field with a large fountain with a statue of a large fish which spewed water nearly ten feet into the air. The house was directly in front of a steep mountain which was covered in the native vegetation and looked particularly hostile. From his vantage point he could see several servants, or were they slaves, working on the grounds, clipping, cutting and tending to every detail. John detested slavery ever since he was old enough to know what it was. While in the Navy he saw slave ships empty their human cargo onto the wharfs in America. The black men and women were dazed and sick from the voyage. They were paraded down the docks and into holding cells where they awaited the auctioneer and their new masters.

  A quarter of an hour must have passed until Thursby returned and announced that Sir Duncan was on his way and should be arriving shortly. John finished the glass of juice and then decided to walk out to the grounds and wait.

  At last, he heard a commotion coming from the house and he walked slowly back to the terrace to wait. Soon, a tall, well-built man walked through the doorway. He had long, sandy, brown hair that reached his shoulders. He wore tan breaches, tall riding boots. A puffy white shirt that showed hints of dust from being in the fields.

  In one hand he held a large, round-brimmed hat and in the other he had a short riding crop or was it a whip? John did not know. He was tan from the many hours spent in the sun supervising his domain. He saw John walking up the steps and strode forward with an outstretched hand, "Ah… young Lord Henry, I feared the worst for you, my Lad!"

  John extended his hand as well, "Sir Duncan, I am grateful I survived I can tell you, what."

  The two shook hands and stood looking at each other. John apologized, "I'm terribly sorry to appear at your door unannounced as it were, but I had no choice you see."

  "Yes. Thursby tells me you were marooned on an island for several weeks. That must have been quite an ordeal for someone your age."

  John smiled, "It was, Sir Duncan. Left all alone, with no one to care for me, I ate berries and hid in the jungle from those horrid black devils until one day a fishing boat landed to resupply their water and they brought me here straight away. When the boat docked late this morning, I was fortunate to find a clothier and bought these rags. My clothes were dreadful to say the least." He smiled to himself; his story was getting better each time he told it.

  Duncan seemed anxious to know about the other passengers on the ship, "Thursby tells me all the other passengers on your ship died?"

  John replied callously, "Yes, all dead. I never saw them during the voyage. I stayed at one end of the boat and they at the other - wretched animals as near as I could tell!"

  "I see." Duncan motioned for him to sit down and he took a chair opposite his new guest. "When your ship was reported missing, I sent a letter to your mother through your family's lawyer telling her about your missing ship. In the meantime, another ship from England brought a letter from that same lawyer." Duncan paused and shouted, "Thursby, bring that letter." Thursby must have been waiting just inside the house and walked out instantly with a silver tray in his hand. On the tray was the letter. Duncan took the letter and handed it to John.

  As he took the letter, John suspected the content of the letter. He carefully unfolded the parchment and read. It was indeed from their lawyer, Thomas Noble Esq. When he read the part that told of his mother's death, John had to struggle to hold back the tears. He blinked several times to clear his eyes and cleared his throat. Almost to himself he said quietly, "I half expected it when I left in March. She was coughing rather badly then. I had hoped the spring air would hasten her recovery."

  "I am very sorry… may I call you John?" John nodded. "… and then when your ship was not forthcoming and with your father gone and your mother passing like that… well, you were reported missing as well. I cannot tell you how happy I am you survived!"

  John looked up and forced a smile, "I am grateful for your concern Sir Duncan. My father spoke highly of you and trusted the partnership both of you established years ago."

  Duncan smiled, "Yes, your father and I knew each other for many years."

  John wasn't sure now was the time, but he decided to risk it. "Sir, may I trouble you to tell me what happened to my father. All we were told was… he was missing."

  Duncan considered it for a moment then said, "I don't wish to add to your bereavement at this time, John. Tell you what, I'll have Thursby take you to your room where you can refresh yourself and rest. Then over dinner, I'll tell you about your father. I'm sure you would like to be alone now."

  John retreated, "Most considerate, sir."

  Duncan again called for Thursby and directed him to take John to his room and to provide whatever he needed. Once in his room, John carefully closed the door and then fell on the luxuriously bed and buried his face in the fine linens and let the tears flow.

  Chapter 13

  The Green Flash Tavern

  Alex Cumberbatch and Buster Jack walked slowly down the streets of Port Royal after John Henry rode off in a coach to find Sir Duncan's plantation. For Cumberbatch it was a welcomed sight considering he was supposed to be here anyway when Hopeful docked with its cargo of children.

  Cumberbatch was well known in Port Royal and he knew the town better than most. He took Buster Jack to The Green Flash Tavern, an old two-story building where visitors could rent a room upstairs and downstairs drink and food could be had.

  Fulke Olingworth, an old sailor like Cumberbatch, had been in the Royal Navy for over fifteen years. During a battle, an enemy's sword cut deeply into his left leg leaving him with a permanent limp and unable to server the king any longer. He left the navy and came to Jamaica seeking a new life. He signed on as a crew member on one of dozens of privateers, ships with letters of marquee that allowed them to plunder ships from countries other than England and after a few years he took his share of the confiscated valuables and opened the tavern.

  Cumberbatch and Buster Jack entered the Green Flash. They were greeted warmly by Olingworth who croaked, "I thought I spied you come'n down the street. You old salty dog!"

  "Aye… you too Matey! I see you're still captain
of this prison hulk of a tavern!" They clasped hands.

  Arrangements were made for quarters, then they ordered drinks and food. Cumberbatch ordered rum and when he took his first big gulp he said as he smiled, "Now… that's great!" Buster Jack ordered food and small tankard of ginger beer. When the food and drink were consumed Buster Jack went upstairs to rest and left Cumberbatch to his rum.

  When they boy left, Olingworth limped over to Cumberbatch's table and sat down. "Thought you were due in over a month ago, I heard your ship was missing and presumed sunk."

  Even though the two were friends, Cumberbatch decided not to reveal the truth. "I took a berth in another ship. T'was a good thing too!"

  "Aye, lady luck be watching out for you, you lucky red-bearded sea snake. Who's the boy?"

  Cumberbatch took another swallow of rum as he formulated his answer, "Just another member of the crew what came ashore. First trip from home, kind've looks up to me, see?"

  Olingworth laughed, "Ah… you're a terrible liar but that's what I like about ya!"

  Cumberbatch gauged the moment, then asked, "I hear tale of another ship full of wee children from London docked here a few months back."

  Olingworth eyed his old friend, "Why you ask'n?"

  "The ship that was lost at sea had a cargo of wee ones too. That's why I changed me mind about working on the Hopeful; bad luck it was!"

  "Must've been… she went down with all hands from what I hears! Hurricane rolled through here about that time." Olingworth recalled.

  "What became of the first boatload?" Cumberbatch asked.

  Olingworth became suspicious, "Why so concerned about them, Matey?"

  "When last in London, I heard a yarn about the law tak'n some orphans and puts them on ships bound for Port Royal. Never heard of such a thing a'fore! Just wonder'n if it be true or not."

  Olingworth looked around to make sure no one was listening. "You know Sir Duncan Peck don't yah?"

  Cumberbatch looked up at the ceiling as if trying to remember, "I've heard the name, why?"