There is one who has not lowered his sword and it is Ruger. He stands, his sword in his fist, his eyes wild. He had expected a gam with Captain Griswold of the Cerberus, further expecting, I know, to be able to trade some of his female cargo for money, whiskey, or who knows what—the same trade Captain Laughton had refused all those weeks ago. Well, it ain't gonna happen, Ruger. You will get something else, you cur.
"That one there," I say, reaching back and whipping out my sword and pointing it at Ruger.
"You," says Ruger, fixing his eye on me. "No ... not again..."
But he need not be concerned with me. Ian McConnaughey steps up and puts his sword in Ruger's face. "You dared to put your hand on my girl"
Ruger, realizing his peril, retreats a step, and then swings his sword wildly at Ian's head. Ian easily parries the blow, bringing his own blade back and then slipping it into Ruger's belly.
Ruger drops his sword and sinks to his knees and hangs his head, sobbing, "Mercy ... please..."
"Ian! Dear husband!"
Both Ian and I look over to the hatchway and see Mairead standing there, her arms out.
Ian steps away from Ruger, his anger spent, and Cheng Pao, taking this as a signal to end things quickly, whips out his sword and swings it, taking Ruger's head off in one clean stroke. The sword goes back in Pao's scabbard before Ruger's head hits the deck.
All is silence. I feel Cheng Shih come up next to me, and I know I am expected to do something ... and I do it.
Ruger's head lies at my feet. The eyes blink once, then cloud over. I resheathe my sword, then lean down to grab a fistful of hair and lift up the head. It is surprisingly heavy, but I carry it over and present it, dripping, to Mairead.
"Blood for blood, Sister," is all I say. I feel Cheng Shih's arm come circling around my waist, making me steady.
Mairead nods. "Blood for blood."
Then I throw the vile thing over the side and she runs to her man and wraps her arms about him.
Blood for blood, indeed...
Chapter 65
Once the last trace of the hated and hateful Ruger has gone over the side, I leap to my quarterdeck and put one foot to either side of the centerline, just the way I like it, the better to feel the movement of my glorious ship. Oh Lorelei, I thought never to see you again! Then full of pure joy, I lift my voice.
"This is Captain Faber... oh yes it is! And I have the con. Mr. Seabrook, you are now my First Mate and you are relieved of this watch."
He looks about him at the crowd of heavily armed Chinese that has just swarmed aboard, and nods. He shrugs and says, "Captain ... uh, Faber, indeed, has the con."
And, oh! It feels so good!
"All topmen aloft to make sail!" I bellow, bouncing up and down on my toes. "Right full rudder! Helmsman, follow that junk!"
The Divine Wind had been signaled after the Lorelei Lee was secured, and she has joined us, pulling to the head of the formation, with the Cerberus and the Lee, side by side, behind her. We have been joined by another ten of ChengShih's ships, which fall in aft and to either side. Nobody's going to mess with her fleet, that's for sure ... least of all, us.
I am still sucking in great gulps of glorious free air when I hear...
"Welcome back, Miss," says my dear, dear Higgins, joining me on the quarterdeck. "Lovely outfit, quite exotic—and your hair ... Well, what can I say?"
"Good to see you, too, Higgins," I say, my face beaming out my joy at seeing him again. I take him by the arms, go on tiptoes, and plant a good one on his cheek.
"Umm, I must say, Miss, that in spite of my usual optimism concerning the state of your health when you have gone missing, this time I rather despaired of ever seeing you again. In this world, anyway."
And can you be misting up a little, Higgins, even you?
"Ah, well, Higgins, you have seen that I do have a way of bobbing back up," I say, snorting back a tear of my own. "Sort of like a cork."
"Indeed, Miss. Ah ... do I see your Mr. Fletcher standing on that deck over there?"
I look over to see Jaimy standing on the quarterdeck of his ship.
"Yes, you do, Husband."
"Hmmm. Well, I certainly wish him the joy of his command, and since he is here, I believe I must regretfully give up my wife," he says, musing. "And since we are very near some Muslim lands, I believe I will use their method in solving this particular marital problem."
He places his hand on my smooth forehead and intones, "I divorce thee, I divorce thee, I divorce thee. There, it is done."
"So I'm a single girl again?"
"Just so, Miss."
"Thank you, Higgins. I did enjoy being wife to you. I hope I was a good one," I say. "Now permit me to introduce my friend and protector Admiral Cheng Shih and her translator Brother Arcangelo Rossetti, Society of Jesus."
I notice the Divine Wind has turned east and I give the helmsman a significant look and he understands, adjusting his course to follow in the wake of the junk. Cheng Shih is plainly wasting no time at all in getting us back to where the coveted Buddha lies.
Higgins bows low and gets a slight nod of the head from Shih and a decent bow from Brother Arcangelo, who has been translating in a low murmur ever since he came aboard. I know that she is a bit puzzled over the "husband" thing, but I'll explain later.
"Higgins, some refreshments for our guests, perhaps? In my cabin, if you would."
Higgins has miraculously managed to remove all traces of Ruger from my cabin. The windows are open, the breezes blow through the thin gauzy curtains, and there is none of his stink in the place. It's all just so lovely—so good to be back in my very own lovely cabin again. I fling myself across my bed and revel in my return.
The table is set by—the Weasel? Himself? How can it be? Oh, this is so delightfully rich! And Higgins sets out a fine spread. After asking him to arrange a meeting later with me and the officers—and with Mrs. Barnsley, Mrs. Berry, and Mrs. MacDonald—I settle in and show Cheng Shih around my cabin and show her something about our food, our drinks, and our ways. She examines all the relics I have collected in my travels—my scrimshaw, my amphora, my figurines, and such. I play my guitar for her. And my fiddle. My concertina, too. And she is pleased.
Afterward, we go back on deck and Cheng Shih and Brother Arcangelo return to the Divine Wind. I know that she has business to conduct with the captains of her fleet. Duty calls all of us, even Chinese pirate admirals ... but, she will be back, I know.
As I look out over my deck, I see that Mairead, having finally unwrapped herself from her Ian, has brought up Enoch Lightner from below. He appears on Mairead's arm and holds his face up to the sun, which he cannot see, but which he can certainly feel.
"Shantyman!" I call out upon seeing him. "Sing us away to Mindanao!"
He does.
Chapter 66
Soon after we had gotten under way, bound for the resting place of the Golden Buddha, cheer returned, full force, to the decks of the Lorelei Lee. All the girls, Newgaters and Crews alike, were soon up from their confinement below, and the decks and ratlines were festooned with white petticoats to the wonder, I am sure, of our Chinese escorts.
Cheng Shih has forbidden any contact between my Crews and hers—the penalty being loss of ears. Pretty wise, I'm thinking. But no matter—my girls get plenty of action with the crew of the Cerberus, said crew being delirious with lusty joy at the marriage of our two vessels. Naughty boys. Wait'll I tell your mother, Arthur McBride. And Padraic ... tsk, tsk...
Small boats steadily ply back and forth between the Cerberus, the Divine Wind, and the Lee.
On that first day, back in command of the Lorelei, I assemble the officers to tell them of my plans. But first, I meet with the Mmes. Barnsley, Berry, and MacDonald.
Higgins again sets out a nice spread, and I know the madams are pleased to finally be in the great cabin—even if I'm in it, too. They make a show of fine elegance by lifting their wineglasses, with pinkies extended, and sipping delicately from t
he contents, while nibbling delicately at the cakes, cheeses, and sweetmeats laid out. Ravi, dressed in full Sinbad rig, goes about refilling glasses as needed.
I put myself back in my Royal Navy Lieutenant's gear for these meetings, deeming it more appropriate than my silken dragon costumes. After all have tasted the bounty of my table, I begin...
"Here it is, ladies," I say, leaning back in my chair with a certain air of arrogance. "It is your choice. Do you and your girls wish to return to England, go on to the colony in New South Wales, or be put off in a random port? We are right now off the coast of Java"
I am fully aware of my appearance and position of authority, and how it must gall them to see me here, offering them terms. Suck it up, ladies.
Hardened veterans of Life's hard roads that they are, they do just that. The three madams consider, confer, have a lot more of my wine and foodstuffs, and then Mrs. Barnsley speaks up.
"Ain't nothing for us back in England—they'd just send us back again, and I for one am heartily sick o' the sea. And we sure don't want to be dropped off just anywheres," she says, thinking of the very fearsome-looking Chinese swordsmen who strut about our deck. "No, we'll take our chances in Australia—least we know the men there is decent British criminals." So the matter is settled.
The ladies are ushered out and the remaining officers of the former convict ship Lorelei Lee are invited in. I rise to meet them, knowing that this will be a very delicate meeting. I need these men, and I do not know if they will agree to serve on what they will now consider to be a pirate. We shall see.
"Good day, gentlemen," I say, as Messrs. Seabrook, Gibson, and Hinckley file in. "Please be seated and refresh yourselves." They look at me somewhat dubiously as I stand, not quite five feet of me, drawn up at attention in my naval rig—snug blue jacket with gold buttons and braid, and lace spilling out of my collar and cuffs, tight white trousers, and shiny black boots—but they go to their places and sit. I march to the head of the table and place the Faber bottom in the Captain's chair, fold my hands before me, look about at all, and begin.
"Sirs, let us speak plain and see if we can come to a common accord. I would like it very much if you gentlemen would continue in your current posts, as First, Second, and Third Mates. I value your seamanship and your ability to run a tight ship—men with such skills as yours I am sure I would not be able to find in Botany Bay, and I do not want my Lorelei Lee sailed by untested officers."
I pause to take a sip of my wine and to let that sink in.
"If you accept my offer, you will continue to draw your pay as employees of Faber Shipping Worldwide, as well as receive a generous share of the head money we expect to get when we deliver the convicts. If you decline my offer, you will be put ashore with said convicts to languish until such time as passage back to England can be arranged. You would be penniless, and I fear the accommodations in the prison colony might not be to your liking—very short rations, indeed."
"But what of ... legal considerations?" asks Mr. Seabrook.
"Ah. You worry that someday you might be brought up on charges of being members of a pirate crew and party to a mutiny, as well you might. But look at it this way," I say, ready to make my case. "The Lorelei Lee was once mine, owned by Faber Shipping. It was then owned by the East India Company and used as a convict ship. In that capacity, she was captured by a Chinese naval force and then returned to me, in exchange for services about to be rendered."
They are attentive, and I go on.
"So you see, gentlemen, in each of those changes in ownership, mutiny was never committed. You are all merchant officers, not Royal Navy, and so you will simply continue to serve your ship in all honesty. Should the ship subsequently be involved in something ... well ... irregular, you will be held blameless. It will all be on my head."
Mr. Gibson still looks unconvinced, and I do not blame him—a man has only one neck and he hopes to never let it be caught up by the hangman's noose. "I don't know..." he says.
I give that a bit of thought and then say, "If you are worried about future retribution, then let us seal this pact with the traditional Pirate's Choice—join with us, stand onboard as brothers, or else walk the plank."
With that, I rise to go pick up the pistol that has been placed upon my sea chest. Coming back to the assembled company, I place the barrel next to Mr. Seabrook's temple. He starts, but does not move.
"Do you, Mr. Seabrook," I ask, "agree to follow me, else your precious life be forfeited?"
He nods. It is plain to all at the table that the pistol is not cocked. They do not know that the gun is not loaded, but I do. I go next to Mr. Gibson and point the pistol at his forehead.
"Do you, Mr. Gibson, agree to continue to serve upon the Lorelei Lee, upon pain of death?"
Another nod.
"And finally, young Mr. Hinckley, do you also agree to turn pirate on the salt sea and serve both me and my ship?"
"Oh yes, Miss Faber," vows the young boy enthusiastically. "I really do."
"Good," I say, lowering the pistol. "That should satisfy any Court of Inquiry. Should you someday come up on charges, you can truthfully say that you were forced at gunpoint to join the merciless La Belle Jeune Fille Sans Merci, and you will be acquitted. So. We are agreed?"
Nods all around, especially from the grinning Mr. Hinckley. Ah lad, nothing like the promise of a little adventure, is there, young sir?
"Very well," I say. "The matter is settled. Now this is what is going to happen. We will proceed to a spot off the coast of Mindanao, where Admiral Cheng Shih has marked a place where there is sunk a large golden statue—a Buddha, as it were. I will dive down and get that statue for her, and when I do that, Cheng Shih will release the Cerberus and the Lorelei Lee. Captain Fletcher of the Cerberus has already indicated his intention to deliver most of his cargo of convicts to the penal colony at New South Wales. I have spoken with the leaders of the girls upon this ship and, given several options, they elected to also go to Australia, as have my Newgaters."
I pause for breath, then continue.
"After the two human cargos have been placed on Australian soil, and the head price collected, the Cerberus and the Lorelei Lee will depart, the former under the command of Captain Fletcher, to wherever he directs her to go, and the Lee back to her home port of Boston, under the direction of John Higgins as Commander and Mr. Seabrook, here, as Master. This ship will then resume her duties as flagship of Faber Shipping Worldwide. Each of you gentlemen can expect to continue gainful employment in your present capacities at that firm."
"Captain Fletcher?" asks Mr. Gibson, his eyebrows raised. All here know of my connection to Jaimy.
"I am hoping that someday Mr. Fletcher will consent to sail his ship under the Blue Anchor Flag," I say primly. "But we shall see about that. Any other questions?"
"But what of you, Jacky ... er ... Miss Faber?" asks young Mr. Hinckley, with, I think, real concern in his voice.
I take a deep breath. "Do not worry about me, Mr. Hinckley. Cheng Shih has indicated that she does not want to let me go, and I did make a bargain in that regard, and so I must stay with her. Any other questions?"
"But can we not help you in that regard?" asks Mr. Gibson.
"Just look out there, Sir. There are at least twenty of Admiral Shih's ships out there, each one full of Chinamen and all armed to the teeth"
There are no further questions.
But joy and cheer does return to the Lorelei Lee, even if, for me, it is a bittersweet time, knowing that soon all will sail away, and I will remain. But, hey, I will abide, and I will see what happens.
Just like in the old days, when we had good Captain Laughton with us, we put on musical shows, and this time we invite our Chinese allies over to watch. Cheng Shih is especially delighted when I play my fiddle and dance at the same time, yes, that nails her pretty good ... as does our little play "Villain Pursues Virtuous Maiden." She claps her hands in joy over that one. Brother Arcangelo tells me the play is similar to many
in Chinese culture—simple plot, much overacting, broad gestures, garish costumes, some action, and a happy ending. Cheng Shih, Admiral of the South China Sea, fairly shrieked with delight, covering her mouth and collapsing in uncontrollable giggles when my tearaway dress came off.
Yes, and Ravi was reunited with Josephine and me with my Newgaters—Mary Wade, Molly, Maggie, and the rest. Ian and Mairead were given a cabin on the Lee and they are in it quite often. Ian does have duties other than that of making another Irish baby with Mairead, he being Jaimy's First Mate over on the Cerberus, but still, he manages to get over here quite a bit. I think Captain Fletcher is being kind to him in that regard.
Me, I don't get to see Jaimy at all. Ah well, I know he is busy. So am I.
Yes, we sailed, we sang, we danced, we ate, we drank, and we got to that spot off the coast of Mindanao where rests the Golden Buddha.
Chapter 67
When we came upon the buoys marking the spot, and Cheng Shih's navigators took bearings and assured us we were in the right place, I left the deck of my Lorelei Lee and said to Higgins, "Please, John, my swimming suit, if you please. And my goggles and fins, too."
He is not all that happy to do this. Please be careful, Miss...
Oh, bother, Higgins, you know I always am.
Soon I am rigged up to dive, and I step out onto the deck of the Lorelei Lee.
Cheng Shih is waiting by the diving bell, which has been placed on the deck, ready to go. Seeing me dressed as I am, she immediately orders every male to face away. The Chinese sailors do it, as they are the only ones who understand what she says.
I figure I'll do some exploratory free dives first, and so I go to the rail. Cheng Shih watches, I believe a bit fearfully, as I adjust goggles, tug down bottom of suit, and dive in.
The water is clear—not Caribbean clear, but clear enough, more green than blue—and I can see my way.
I grab one of the marker buoy lines and head down.
The Wake of the Lorelei Lee: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, On Her Way to Botany Bay Page 37
