Retribution

by Beverley Elphick

  At last the message came that we, Mrs. Campbell and Charlotte, Prickship and myself, were to travel back on the Lady Guinevere and to be ready to embark in two days. We must be on board by six o’clock. The two prison guards who attacked Prickship, along with the two who were bribed, were to travel later - on a more suitable vessel, one with a lockup. I wasn’t sorry, and I am sure Prickship wasn’t either. I was overwhelmed with excitement and felt that at last I was getting my life back. I would soon be home to see Beth, whom I was convinced was with Cecilia and I was happy to have met Dr. Grieve again and to know that he would return to Lewes and to me as soon as he was finished with his military business.

  The voyage back home couldn’t have been more different. We were given spacious and richly-furnished cabins and there was a stateroom for dining. The captain, named Bowen-Brown, made much of us and I understood that the boat was of a different class, faster, and frequently carried paying passengers as well as luxury goods for the London market. Luckily for our little group she was not fully laden. Lady Guinevere was expecting to moor up in London and then take passengers and papers on to Amsterdam. There was some secrecy about its cargo but one of the sailors told me that the boat regularly carried large amounts of gold and government documents. I found myself able to relax and thereby seemed to need more sleep, so when I wasn’t helping with Charlotte I stayed quietly in my cabin reflecting on all that had happened to me.

  Part Four

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  A surgeon recounts the case of a 12 year old girl who vomited an 87 inch worm. He describes the unusual case of Ellen McCarthy, aged 12, whose symptoms include “disease or hurt, pain in the bottom of her belly, increased on pressure, abdomen hard and swollen, picks her nose, starts in her sleep, bowels constipated, pyrexia, tongue foul, pulse quick, skin hot, great thirst”. She is first put on the sick list on15 June 1825, at sea. Her mother brought the Surgeon a ‘lumbricus’ [worm], 87 inches long, which the child had vomited. Later she has another “motion” and two more worms are found, one 13 ½ inches long, the other 7 inches.

  Diary of a Ship’s Surgeon

  It was an uneventful voyage with fair weather all the way until at long last we were nigh Dover. I had claimed back my life as Esther Coad, widow, mother of Beth, governess to Cecilia and John Elwoods’ children and a midwife. I would no longer be seen as a convict in anyone’s eyes or consciousness.

  So near, but so far. We were stranded inside the mouth of the Thames. There was little wind and a deep wet mist engulfed us. Small wherries appeared through the gloom before returning the way they had come, the sound of their dipping oars muffled by a dense fog that had fallen. They carried letters from Captain Bowen-Brown to the shipping agent requesting accommodation for us as well as letters to the surgeon and the tailor and, most importantly, to my friends in Lewes. Prickship looked evermore gloomy and Mrs. Campbell seemed anxious at being near terra firma, as they call it. Apparently, she and Captain Campbell had rarely stayed put in one place and were more comfortable out at sea.

  ‘But surely you take breaks or holidays between voyages?’ I asked.

  ‘Yes, but not in this miserable country,’ she said. ‘We prefer warmer climes. I particularly like Italy.’

  Charlotte opened her eyes and looked all around her. ‘She at least seems happy to be here,’ I commented.

  ‘As are you,’ she replied shortly.

  While we waited for tide and wind to carry us to London, I tried to contain my excitement, but the frustration of waiting grew beyond what I was capable of. We were enveloped in the thick, cloying sea-mist which clung to the rigging as mournful foghorns boomed eerie warnings. I paced the deck, my clothes damp, my hair dripping. It occurred to me that it would be quicker to get off the boat here and take a coach, and I suggested it to my companions. But they were not happy to change our method of travel. Prickship, anticipating rutted or mud-laden roads which would cause him pain; Mrs. Campbell, not wishing to expose Charlotte to other travellers who might have the temerity to breathe on her. They were right, of course, and I had to contain my vexation.

  Days of becalmed weather tried my patience to its limits but finally a frisky wind filled the sails and we surged along with the tide, though still it took several days to reach the London docks where we could disembark. A carriage was waiting which speedily took us to a tall, elegant house some little way back from the river that catered for customers of the shipping agent. All our rooms were on the ground floor, which was helpful. I was told that it was unwise to wander unchaperoned, so the day after our arrival I stayed in with Prickship who was expecting the physician Dr. Grieve had contacted. I, too, was expecting a visitor: the tailor, whom I hoped would be able to furnish me as a matter of urgency with a heavy cloak, gloves and a hat.

  Tailor Partridge was a dapper man but with an unfortunate stoop. He seemed physically unable to lift his eyes above shoulder height which struck me as a painful condition as his neck was not upright but laid at an angle near his shoulder. He suggested that he take my measurements to make a serviceable travelling outfit. Additionally, he promised to send one of his apprentices with a cloak and gloves and volunteered to buy a hat on my behalf from a milliner who worked in the same building. The bespoke dress would be sent on to me in Lewes as soon as possible. I was amazed at the speed, but clearly Dr. Grieve was a good customer as he would accept no payment from my store of guineas. When the cloak, gloves and hat duly arrived, I absolutely loved them, particularly the cloak which was of a good heavy weight; he called it ‘midnight blue’ in colour, with a paler blue lining. It was very pretty as well as serviceable.

  As the business with Tailor Partridge was concluding, I was surprised to receive a young man at our lodgings. He introduced himself as ‘Charley from the shipping office’, handing me a note of introduction as soon as I had ushered the tailor from our sitting room.

  ‘Captain Campbell says you will require passage on a coach to Lewes, Miss,’ he said. ‘I am apprenticed to the shipping office but me pa is a coachman on that route, and I am to accompany you and Mrs. Campbell until you be safely on your way.’

  I sank into a chair with relief, having had no idea of how to go about finding a coach and booking seats. In truth, what I had so far seen of London was terrifying. It was all so busy, with people scurrying about their business, with no time spent tarrying nor passing the time of day; everyone seemed intent on some greater purpose.

  ‘I am happy to meet you, Charley,’ I said. ‘I was wondering how to get to Lewes and where I would find the coaches.’

  ‘If I might suggest, Miss,’ he said, ‘we could go to Blossoms Inn and book places for you, Mrs. Campbell and the nipper. Me pa will be there tomorrow. It is his day off and he likes to spend some of it with his horses. The inn is where some of the Lewes coaches stable their horses,’ he added as an afterthought.

  Charley told me to be ready by ten o’clock the following day and to bring money for the tickets. I asked him if we could book the whole of the interior of the coach as Mrs. Campbell did not fancy unknown company sitting alongside of her.

  Charley clearly knew Mrs. Campbell of old, as he sighed, ‘A lot of folks want to travel that route nowadays, Miss, and it ain’t good business to turn them away, but I’ll talk to pa and see if he can get someone suitable alongside of ye.’

  I laughed at his grimace as he said this, replying, ‘Don’t worry if he can’t, I am sure she will cope. Until tomorrow then, Charley.’

  My spirits rose: new clothes and a coach to Lewes in prospect. Nearly home.

  I was up bright and early the next day and sorry to see a grey sky threatening rain. As no-one else appeared, I breakfasted alone. Our landlady served up sausages from Kent and fresh baked rolls and I fell upon them with enthusiasm. The variety of food on offer was better than on board ship and the sausages were nearly as good as Mrs. Fisher’s. I heard a knock and wondered if it was Charley though it
was still some minutes afore nine o’clock.

  The landlady was at the door. ‘A letter for you, Miss. Can I clear away, or were you wanting something else?’

  ‘Thank you, I am finished,’ I said. ‘The sausages were delicious.’ I took the letter from her and read the direction. It was Cecilia’s writing, though it was very unlike her usual elegant flowing hand. I tore at the seal, anxious to read the news she sent.

  My dearest Esther,

  We thank God that you are alive and safe and soon to be returned to us. We have feared the worst and in truth I had all but given up hope of ever seeing you again.

  Esther, my dearest friend, I have terrible news for you, and though I would prefer to tell you face to face I think it best that you prepare yourself before you get back to South Farm. I am afraid that Beth has been lost to us since that dreadful day when you were both kidnapped. We have some recent information which leads us to think that she is alive, but she is not here with us and John and I fear for her as we did for you.

  However, my dear, you have come back, so perhaps I will take courage and put my dread aside and hope that she too will be returned. I am sure your old adversary Farmer Coad does not have her, and I hope that will comfort you. The trail on your aunt had all but disappeared though it was thought she was living at Coad Farm for a while. It was a great shock to hear that you had been put on a transport ship with her and we are all desperate to hear your story. I can’t write more, Esther, as I am tired and weak from the strain, but John and I and all your friends are waiting here to greet you with love and compassion and it can’t come soon enough. God speed.

  Cecilia

  P.S. We found Flossy and she is now in the stables eating her fill. I know that you will be relieved to hear this.

  I felt sick and chilled as I read this shocking news. I had been so certain that Beth was safe. I sat there, unable to think or even cry. I kept re-reading Cecilia’s words as I felt my heart thudding in my chest. Surely, I would have known if harm had come to Beth, or was it foolish of me to think that? I answered myself as no-one else would. Yes, I was foolish, and my certainties were not worth a penny piece. My dear friend was clearly unwell too, and I felt for her suffering. What a curse I was to that kindly family. They must wish I had never crossed their path.

  Numbed with misery, I remained at the table until I was forced to respond to Charley’s call. He accompanied me through the hectic streets to the Blossom Inn where we found his pa in the stables with a team of six fine sturdy horses. I had been around horses in Farmer Elwood’s stables and I could see that these beasts were well cared-for and exceptionally strong, their great muscles rippling under a shiny coat as they were groomed with a currycomb.

  Charley had explained that the coach was out every day with different coachmen and teams, the Lewes run being one of the oldest in the south. It took the whole day and the coach returned on the following. Lately, since the Prince of Wales had taken property in Brighthelmstone and started to build his palace, the traffic had increased hugely, with Lewes becoming a staging post before the coaches made their way over the Downs to the seaside fishing village.

  There were four routes to the south and I was interested in the one that went to Lewes through Chailey. If that was not available, we could get there through Uckfield, but it would have to be with someone other than Charley’s pa. I liked Charley’s pa; he was a genial chap who promised to find us space on his next trip, likely to be the day after tomorrow. I paid for us all and asked whether there would be other inside passengers.

  ‘One of my regulars, Miss. He be a lawyer and do occasional work in Lewes at the court. He is a quiet man and very knowledgeable, I count him as a good, honest man – you couldn’t be in better company - and he is a good shot if things get rowdy.’ He laughed loudly at the expression on my face.

  ‘Why would they get rowdy?’ I wasn’t laughing.

  ‘Drunks on top, scared passengers, fights between those as should know better, all sorts of reasons, Miss. But don’t you worry none, I been doing this man and boy and I ain’t lost a passenger yet.’

  ‘Why are there scared passengers?’ I persisted.

  ‘Some people just got no bottle,’ he said. ‘First sign of a man on a horse, they think they gonna be robbed or murdered.’

  Charley broke in, ‘You’re scarin’ the lady, Pa. Don’t take no notice of him, Miss. There are two guards, armed, as well as pa, and as he says he ain’t lost a passenger yet. The worst that will happen to you is being jolted to death or having to get out and walk up a few hills if there are too many outside passengers.’

  I looked at this big genial man and saw a twinkle in his eye before I dropped our money into his calloused hand and put my trust in him. Returning to our lodgings, I suggested to Charley that we didn’t mention the armed guards or highwaymen to Mrs. Campbell.

  He laughed, sounding remarkably like his pa, before replying, ‘They’d run away rather than getting a tongue-lash from her, Miss. She’s been around and knows the ways, and most people round here knows of her. Be the captain well, Miss? We all hold him high and were right glad to hear he has a nipper.’

  ‘He was well when I last saw him,’ I replied, ‘though he lost one of his key men, who is staying with us whilst his broken leg heals, and I worry for the captain on that long voyage.’

  ‘Don’t you fret, Miss, we heard he took on a new fella to take Prickship’s place.’ It seemed Charley knew everything, even the rude name bestowed on Mason by the crew.

  We still had one and a half days to wait and Mrs. Campbell had some business to attend to, so I looked after Charlotte. Fortunately, the shipping office was not too far, so she was able to come and go around feeds. I left her looking after Charlotte herself on the following day as I wanted to see what London was like. I knew that if I didn’t fill my time, I would just sit fretting about Beth, which did no good at all. I hadn’t told the others my bad news - they were so preoccupied with their own business, they had no time or inclination to notice my mood - and in any case I would have found it hard to put into words without breaking down.

  One area I’d heard about from Prickship was known as Wapping, where many boats were moored, and Charley accompanied me there, leaving Mrs. Campbell to her own devices. It was near a place called Execution Dock where smugglers and seafaring crooks were hanged. I had heard from my companions that those found guilty might be hanged on a short rope from a gibbet that was only just above the low water mark, so their necks weren’t broken but stretched, giving them a long, slow death by suffocation; and as if that weren’t bad enough, they were held by the river until three tides had covered them. Charley just laughed when I told him I didn’t want to go anywhere near there. He seemed to think it was one of London’s attractions.

  Wapping was hectic with all sorts: black men, turbaned men, Jewish bearded men and Orientals as well as the local workers - all nationalities and every creed, attached to the many trading ships. The atmosphere felt a little menacing with all these people thrusting themselves forward to gain work or advantage of sorts, and not only men: there were women seeking to exploit men for their money - women who were not downtrodden and shy but openly relishing the trade of selling their bodies in public. I was shocked to see such low behaviour; these creatures were shameless, nor were their customers any better. Mrs. Campbell would have sneered at my distaste and reminded me of her earlier comments about men and their needs.

  One of the things I found overwhelming was the smell. There was the ever-present effluent running down a middle channel of the narrow streets and the danger of a bucket of slop being thrown from an upper window. But also, as you walked past public houses, bawdy houses and warehouses where vats and cases overflowed, there was the pungent tang of beer, heady spices and coffee, as well as fruits - fruits that I had never heard of, let alone smelled. Then there were the barrels of wines and spirits, some of which had a bung that was easi
ly loosened for tasting. The merchants in charge of these were more discreet as they hawked their merchandise to customers who were a cut above in their dress and manners.

  I saw caged birds - from Africa, Charley said - screeching louder than the fishwives on most street corners. It was all so noisy, colourful and excitable that for a while you could forget the dreadful stink. Away from the waterfront, the streets were crowded and pitiful, with urchins constantly running between horses’ hooves, carriages and carts in order to deliver messages and letters. Carters used sticks to beat their way forward, carriage drivers used long whips, and riders lashed out with their crops if anyone got too close. Somehow, they all got around each other, but I was unable to see what manner of preference there was; the carriages must have had the advantage, though, being bigger, smarter and having burly footmen to chase off anyone who got in their way.

  There were lots of men in uniform, all very proud and most wearing swords. They had brightly festooned braid across their chests, round their necks and wrists; the eyes of the street women followed them, with many a bawdy comment thrown.

  I pushed myself up against a shopfront, taking refuge from the mass of people crowding the walkway. It was a meat pie shop, and the aroma was wonderful, but suddenly it was all too much for me and I became fearful of the clamour. My eyes were gritty and strained, worst of all, my head had begun to ache. I was grateful to Charley for his company but asked him to take me straight back to our rooms. There I took a short nap before joining the others for a simple meal. Prickship and Mrs. Campbell were playing cards, rather noisily, which I found irritating. I looked in on little Charlotte. She was a delight: she fed, she slept and fed again, giving no trouble to her mother, which was a blessing. I retired to my room, but with Beth’s plight tormenting me, struggled to get to sleep.