by James Haley
That night, by light of torches and battle lanterns, Sam Bandy made his argument to them. With Bliven and Lieutenant White standing at the wheel, Sam pulled himself up into the mizzen ratlines to stand, one foot on the inboard rail and one on the outboard, giving him a bold and foursquare appearance. The crew was gathered close about him, down the gangways on either side of the hatch.
“Well, boys”—he tried to speak loudly enough that all could hear, but his high tenor voice did not carry—“I will tell you how it is.”
Bliven listened, fascinated, for he had never seen his old friend perform such a public duty before, and it was striking how different Sam had become, how differently his loyalties had turned. It was not just that he spoke for a new nation struggling to draw breath but that he had become a different person. Even his language had changed. An American officer would address his men as “men”; to be warm or informal he might say “lads.” “Boys” was a familiarity that he had ever heard only Preble employ, and he did so only rarely, to cement the loyalty of his crew. But Bliven gathered that it had become common currency in Texas, for he had heard Sam use it frequently. Nor was it the only peculiarly Texian turn of speech he had heard Sam utter—especially on the point of swearing. Hard language seemed to have grown into the Texians’ daily vocabulary, cursing not held in reserve to emphasize some extreme emotion, but as a daily aid to get through a tough existence. All the evident speech patterns seemed to grow out of a new people determined to be frank and honest, guileless but not gullible, and as able to vindicate their beliefs with violence as with reason. It did not fail to cross Bliven’s mind that such strong-willed people might in fact do very well to populate a new country interposed between the United States and the detritus of the Spanish Empire—even if they did practice slavery. For as Bliven had seen in Brazil and in the Caribbean, as odious as American slavery was, Latin slavery was incomparably worse.
And now that temperament was embodied in Sam Bandy, who stood on the rails in a clean uniform he had broken out, one arm steadying himself in the ratlines as the other made his gestures. He was impressive but not affected, an effective calculation to make him seem more a first among equals than a commander. “God damn it, shut up!” he shouted. “All right, now, boys, I will tell you how it is. When you left Boston, you volunteered to bring this vessel to New Orleans because you were game to relocate here. Some of you might have been washed up in the East, some of you were looking to escape the glare of a hard woman . . .” There was a ripple of laughter and Sam interrupted his cadence. “Well, come on, now, when has that ever not been the case with sailors, don’t we know? Well, some of you may only have been looking to improve your fortunes among the many opportunities of the West. So you were told that New Orleans was to become a naval receiving station, and the Rappahannock, once stricken from the active list, was to become the point of induction here.
“Now then, you surely noticed that as we entered the stream of this great Mississippi River, that name on her stern was painted over and replaced with the name Gonzales. No explanation was given to you, and then you arrived here, and I came aboard and I guess maybe started acting like I owned the place.” There was another ripple of laughter. “Well, after a manner of speaking, I do, and now you shall have an explanation.
“The fact is, this ship has been acquired by my country, the Republic of Texas, which has started a revolution for its freedom from the dictatorship of Mexico. This vessel is now the Texas warship Gonzales, named after the battle three months ago which opened our war for independence. Since then, further victories allow me to say that, as of last report, no Mexican troops stand anywhere on Texas soil. However, that hateful autocrat who now has Mexico in his grasp, Santa Anna, is not going to take this lying down. He is going to invade by land and by sea, and I tell you what: we Texians are going to throw him back right to where he came from.”
At this, to Bliven’s surprise, the seventy-four men gave Sam a cheer, and he continued. “Listen to me now. Thirty thousands of your fellow Americans were invited to settle in Texas, were given free land to settle and redeem it from the wilderness. Mexico had a constitution, not so different from your own, and we American Texians continued to enjoy the liberties we had known in the United States. It was a good life, and I know, because I was one of the first to go there. I have become wealthy upon my own initiative, as have many.
“But I am sorry to say, Mexico has ever been an unstable master. Since their own revolution against Spain fifteen years ago, they have had presidents and congresses, tyrants and juntas, even an emperor, and they all rise and fall. And usually after they fall, they are stood to a wall and shot. Mostly, however, they have left us alone, not having the attention to spare from their own commotions. But now that is all different. Santa Anna has dropped all pretense of democracy. He has ripped up the constitution and he rules by decree. He has stationed his soldiers among us and forced us to maintain them, and practiced other such outrages that no freeborn American would ever accept.
“I tell you, we have had enough! The contest is coming, and this gallant old sloop of war will stand like a bulwark against the dictator’s cruisers and privateers, and keep our coast safe while General Houston organizes an army to meet him.
“So why am I telling you all this? Well, sober up and pay attention to me. Soldiers who have enlisted in our army are going to receive liberal grants of some of the richest land God ever created. I know, because since I have been there I have more than doubled my grant to near nine thousand acres of corn and cotton and grazing. Peace and prosperity are what we want. You boys came west to do better for yourselves. You are sailors, and I am empowered to tell you that those of you who sign up to stay on this vessel in Texian service will receive no less grants of land than the soldiers in the army.
“Now, look here. Some of you have been in the U.S. Navy for years. Aren’t you sick of trying to live on twelve dollars a month, and then less after the purser holds out for your slops? A few months’ service in the Texian Navy and you will be given your own empire of land on which to make your fortune. Look there—look over there! That gentleman is Captain Putnam, one of the ablest commanders in the United States Navy. I have been in battle with him, and I can tell you there is no more calm or able or determined a captain anywhere to be found than he is. He has thrown in with us! I am honored to place myself back under his command. Will you do no less?”
Bliven was so shocked at the resounding hurrah, of fists thrust into the air—indeed, he was puffed up by it at least a little—that he forgave Sam’s liberty in implying that he, Bliven, had volunteered to be here among them.
“All right, then, that is what I wanted to tell you. I’m not going to make you decide tonight. You boys go below and get your suppers and think about it. In the morning Mr. Ross, the captain’s steward, will be in the wardroom with a register, and those of you who want to stick with us we will enlist into the Texian Navy and he will put you in for the donation land.”
“If we take this land,” a voice called from the middle of the crew, “do we have to settle on it and live there, or else forfeit it?”
“Hell no!” Sam pointed at the man. “And thank you for asking that. The land will be yours as payment for your service. Once it is yours, you may live out your lives as quiet corn farmers or you may sell it as you choose, and I promise you it will be for more than any twelve dollars a month for your work! Is there anything else?”
“How long will your war last, do you think?” A rumbling was set off among the men.
Sam stood quiet until all attention was on him. “We hold Texas at present. The enemy must invade, with all the hazards of long supply lines in a hostile country. In their present disorder at home, we do not believe they can mount a long campaign, nor will their country tolerate sustaining heavy losses. Nothing is certain, but we believe that not more than three or four months will pass until the issue is decided.” He listened for any more questi
ons. “All right, then, thank you for listening.”
Sam eased himself back down to the deck and stood by Bliven at the wheel as the men crowded the ladders to go below.
Bliven was smirking at him sardonically. “So I have thrown in with you, have I?”
“You’re here, ain’t you?”
“I don’t recall reading about Texas publishing a Declaration of Independence. Are you quite certain about that?”
Sam shrugged. “It may have already happened. If not, it will.”
* * *
* * *
Sam spent the entirety of the next day in the city, accompanied by Yeakel in his best uniform up to his hard hat and silver pipe, looking like a character out of a novel. It was near dusk when they returned to the ship and called on Bliven in his cabin.
“Captain?”
Salutes were traded all around.
“Gentlemen, do sit down.”
Sam was eager to ask, “How did you and Ross make out with the enlistments?”
Bliven shook his head. “Damn me if you were not right. I guess being that close to having a fortune in land handed to you was more than they could resist. Between the few who left and those who found their way out during today, we have eighty-five on board, all experienced sailors. I feared that once we got to it, we would have to take on a crew of shopkeepers and plowmen.”
“Nah.” Sam shook his head. “New Orleans is a big enough port; sailors get cast off or jump ship all the time. We’ll do fine.”
“We also had luck at finding a cook,” said Yeakel. “Will you see him?”
“Certainly. Show him in.” Bliven stood instinctively, and Sam stood with him. Yeakel led into the sea cabin a middle-aged Negro, short, round, a fringe of gray hair around a bald pate. He saluted in the British manner of making his respects, raising curled knuckles to his brow. “I am pleased to see you again, Captain. I was living in Haiti when you put in there. I recall your solicitude for the American Africans with great regard. I did not leave then, but I did soon after and came to New Orleans.”
Solicitude, thought Bliven, great regard. Such a vocabulary he would not have gained in Haiti, but he had surely advanced himself by some means.
“His name is André Hoover. He was cooking in a restaurant on Dauphine Street, near the French Opera House, so he is accustomed to preparing meals for large numbers of people. The proprietors were not happy about his leaving, and they gave him no reference.”
Hoover patted his ample belly. “I call this my reference,” he said grandly. “As soon as these gentlemen mentioned payment in land, they had my interest.”
“Indeed,” said Bliven. “Mr. Bandy, is this quite . . . I mean, does his race present no obstacle to receiving land?”
“No, sir. We have free blacks in Texas, just like here, only not so many, of course. We also have free blacks fighting among our volunteers, on the same terms as the white men.”
“Really? You have not said so before. Very well, Mr. Hoover, Mr. Yeakel will show you the stores and the routine of the galley, and the rotation of the meals. My steward will find you and make certain that you are regularly enlisted into the crew, and on equal terms.”
“Thank you, sir.”
As their steps faded forward down the gun deck, Bliven indicated chairs to Sam and Yeakel. He was keen to learn what progress they had made at finding a surgeon but then saw Sam grinning like a schoolboy. “Yes?”
“How many doctors would you like for me to bring you?”
“Ha! You are offering me a selection?”
“Dr. Sickles told me that in the last week no fewer than four had come to him for his guidance on what a complete medical office in Texas should stock. One bought his supplies and went on his way, but Sickles said he believed that he dissuaded the other three.”
“Dissuaded them? Why would he do that?”
“According to him, lots of doctors from the South are making a beeline for Texas because they figure they are always going to have an adequate income because they are doctors, and if you add a big land grant to that, that will make them just about the wealthiest class around.”
“Noble.”
“Yes. Well, I asked him to round me up everything that a warship’s sick bay would need for a three- or four-month cruise. Do you know, he already had a list prepared; he could all but sell a kit off the shelf. The stuff filled two chests.”
“You brought them out with you?”
“Yes, sir.” Sam reached into his coat pocket and produced a receipt of two pages.
From a waistcoat pocket Bliven extracted a pair of spectacles and positioned them carefully on his nose. “You, too?” said Sam. “That makes me feel better.”
There were separate slugs of green type:
DR. T. O. SICKLES & CO.
Wholesale & Retail DRUGGISTS, 40 Canal Street
Medicine Chests Always on Hand
There followed a closely spaced list of medicines occupying almost the entire two pages. Some of them Bliven knew either from his long years at sea or from personal experience: oil of cloves for toothache and to stem infections; alba mistura for constipation; physic nut to induce vomiting; spurgewort for stomach cramps. Halfway down the first page he slapped the papers to the table. “Oh, I swear!”
“What is it, Captain?”
“Mr. Bandy, I have often been on vessels whose surgeons keep medicines to treat venereal diseases. I admit its necessity in a ship full of lusty seamen.”
“Yes?”
“But this is the first time I have seen a pharmacy that stocks an aphrodisiac!”
“Are you joking?”
“You have purchased an aphrodisiac. Look. Look here. You see that? Tincture of cantharides. A three-ounce bottle, for sixty-three cents.”
Sam squinted at it. “Tincture of . . . cantharides.”
“Better known as Spanish fly! A ship’s company’s lusts are chronic enough without finding any reason to prescribe them this!”
Sam’s smile turned into a laugh. “Well, I am sure I have no idea why that is in there, but I will ask him about it.”
At the bottom of the second page Bliven regarded the grand total of $128.52 and an acknowledgment that the sum had been received of Toby and Company.
“Speaking of money, did you recover your outlay for the ship’s stores from Mr. Toby?”
“I did, thank you for asking.”
“When do you envision speaking to some of these doctors?”
“I asked Sickles to find me a candidate and bring him to his office tomorrow. I told him I wanted a good doctor, but equally important one who has been to sea before, if he can. A ship’s surgeon is of precious little use to anyone if he is seasick all the time.”
“Good. Why don’t you screen off a sick bay in the bow of the berth deck and find some clean linens for the mattresses. Lay out the medicine chests as nice as you can. If you can bring a doctor aboard, I want him to want to stay. And you can show him the sail room as a surgical cockpit if we get into a fight.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Have you begun spreading the word that we want another hundred and seventy or eighty men for the crew?”
“Oh, naturally. There are a dozen sailors in any bar. I’ve put out the word for any who are interested to assemble in the square in front of the cathedral tomorrow night. There is a nice view of the ship from there, and I will stoke them. You need about another hundred and seventy, you said? If I don’t return with a full complement, then I don’t know anything.”
“Are you certain? Are you not aware of conditions back in the East? Our merchant fleet has been shrinking for years, and those who do make good hands are in a rush to the whaling ships, where they think they might make a great deal more money. And ever since the West has started to be developed, the criminals and derelicts who used to enlist in th
e Navy walk into our American greenwood to see if they can make a fortune there. Our Navy is as undermanned, or worse, as ever it was.”
“We should not have that problem,” said Sam. “Texas offers them their very own greenwood—thousands of acres of it. All they have to do is fight for it.”
“If you say so, but by beating the drum for a crew, won’t our jig be over as far as any secrecy is concerned?”
“Oh, a drum! Thank you for reminding me: we can’t properly beat to quarters without a drum! And I must set apart a few tough-looking hombres to serve as marines. Lord, the things we take for granted when we don’t have to start a crew from scratch. Now, as to our secrecy, what you say is true, but as far as anyone in Mexico will know, Texas has acquired an old ship stricken from the American list. The fact that we are a big ship is just their misfortune. You can be sure they are looking high and low for more vessels to bring into the fight as well. I do not believe that there is any ready link for them to find between the Gonzales and any American collusion.”
The next night Bliven thought he must go mad as he strode his quarterdeck, spyglass in hand and frequently raised, but he was unable to make out anything on the square before the cathedral but the glow of torches. It was past midnight when Sam’s boat returned. “Mr. Bandy,” he greeted him with undisguised anxiety, “how did you fare?”
There was a reassuring ease to Sam’s walk. “Set your mind at rest, Captain: we shall have our crew, and more experienced than we had hoped. We did very well tonight.”
“As I have seen, you are a persuasive speaker. You will probably wind up being president of this country of yours.”
