Thomas turned away from the window and the marching troops splendidly adorned in their bright uniforms as if they were ceremonial soldiers rehearsing for an opera debut. “Another boring day in this detestable hemisphere of British interest,” he thought for the tenth time this morning. A knock on the door heralded the only action he had experienced so far today.
“Enter,” he barked out as he slid into his chair.
The door opened as his adjutant, Major David Burton entered, with a set of papers in one hand. Thomas eyed him with a boorish look, which Burton caught and hoped he would be able to exit in due haste. He did not want to get trapped in a useless discussion or worse a dissertation about the blight of being stuck on this lonely rock. It was a far cry from the fanciful pomp which Europe offered, but to the major not so bad if one minded being under the watchful eyes of a host of senior officers at most other postings. Burton was Thomas’s adjutant and aide; a dual position in support of the commander at the headquarters for the entire Caribbean. It was intended to be an elite position of authority along with all the trimmings, but from the very first day, the major found himself assigned by the colonel as just another office administrator; playing nursemaid to Thomas was more like it.
Nevertheless, he was content with this posting, it offered peace, and there was something to be said about not being in the sight of an enemy’s gun muzzle. Burton would be happy to make it to retirement age as a field-grade officer with all his bodily limbs intact. He definitely did not have his sights set on making the rank of general. The local harem of native Jamaican lovelies was delectable, and he wouldn’t mind staying on in Kingston if at all possible.
He placed the papers to Thomas’s outstretched hand and took up a semi-straight posture in front of the desk awaiting the wishes of his colonel. Thomas glanced at the report with a detached expression and not till he came to the primary subject matter did his eyes squint and eyebrows crunch, indicating his interest had been piqued.
“How old is this report, Major?”
Burton snapped out of his lax reverie and answered.
“From all indications, sir, the report is dated …”
“I can read the date on the report, Major!” the colonel snapped in irritation. “When did we get this report?”
“Just came in on the courier ship late yesterday, sir. The office clerk looked over the mail pouch sometime this morning and handed the message to me only a half hour ago. I read it in its entirety and knew you would want to see it, so I immediately brought it to you.”
Thomas grunted and went back to reading the report. Halfway into it, he told Burton to take a seat, which he gladly did for he didn’t want to stand the entire time, but also with reservation for he wondered how his commander would react to the news. He didn’t have to wait too long.
“This news … incident … is fascinating,” Thomas offered as he read.
“Yes, sir. It’s not every day that a Royal frigate gets blasted and is rendered out of action so easily.”
Thomas shot a look at Burton and pouted his lips.
“A schooner of tremendous size … five masts at that; and replete with two-gun decks! That’s preposterous! That would be a massive schooner. Was the captain of the frigate intoxicated? Damn bloody naval officers!”
“The ships were only a short distance from each other, sir, the frigate must have gotten a good look at the schooner,” Burton remarked.
“But a schooner with that many guns? Are you daft, Major? That would be a sight worth seeing,” exclaimed Thomas as he nodded to make the point more salient. Burton was about to comment but stopped; he thought it wise to let the colonel finish his thoughts. If he didn’t, he would be scolded and a squall needn’t occur within the confines of this room. After but after a few moments passed, Thomas rubbed his chin, still contemplating the incident.
“We certainly will punish these outlaws. We have to teach these wayfarers that the British navy is omnipotent no matter where they may voyage. A stiff bounty on their heads for having the brashness to fire upon a King’s ship of the fleet will do. The schooner’s master must have been out of his mind.”
“Yes, sir. I will write the report myself and have it ready on your desk by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Excellent, Major. Those who sail these waters must know who the true power is. Our vast holdings in this region require it, and our reputation as the preeminent sea power demands it.”
Major Burton knew not to argue the point. He presumed the British frigate was the aggressor. But that was not the point, His Majesty’s ships were seen by their dogmatic government as rightful masters wherever they sailed. Theirs was for the taking wherever the opportunity was there.
“This schooner, was she perceived as a pirate threat?” the colonel asked curiously.
“That is not stated in the frigate’s report, sir. All it concludes is that the vessel did not heed the signal to heave to and be boarded and was deemed, suspect. We do not know if the schooner was a legitimate merchant ship.”
“Well, Major, if it were ‘legitimate’ there would have been no need to flee. I am sure the frigate’s captain sensed the vessel was indeed … less than forthright. They must be a hooligan pirate lot. It makes no sense otherwise.”
Before Burton could stop himself, he commented, “Colonel, most other nation’s ships do not take kindly to being treated in such a manner.”
Thomas shot Burton a sharp look; he was not used to being questioned.
“Major Burton, are you suggesting the King’s navy be impotent in its dealings to coddle ships which may be hostile to British intentions? Our sights are set on controlling this entire hemisphere, and by God, we will do so. If we do not, we let slip the opportunity of vast riches, which the new world has aplenty. Do not forget that England is an empire-builder. Territory is ripe for the taking, and we must set our sights on colonizing before others do. It is a race against time as we stake claim to newly discovered regions and set up military outposts.”
Burton realized he had stepped in a quagmire by opening his big mouth. He regretted having done so and prepared for a chastisement by mentally curling up in a ball. The wordy criticism finally ended ten minutes later, an eternity to Burton, for the colonel liked the sound of his own voice.
Thomas ordered Burton to dispatch the alarm and order to every British ship in the region that it was to treat the schooner as an enemy ship and not to spare any mercy in dealing with her. In addition, Burton was to write a formal report of the incident, in which the colonel would scrutinize and sign, then the report would then be placed in the diplomatic pouch and couriered to London on the next ship. Thomas’s recommendation would be assessed with little fanfare by the naval department and allowed to stand. After all, he was the Caribbean’s senior commander, a position with enough clout to make critical decisions when it came to defending the territories with strategic importance crucial to England’s dominion. This defiant ship would be found guilty of aggression against Her Majesty’s ship and listed as an outlaw vessel with a stiff bounty for its capture.
To Thomas, the fate of the schooner was purely administrative; nothing to trifle over. What was one private ship to him? The skipper of the merchant vessel should have been wiser than to take on the Royal Navy. The world had to understand that certain powers had been borne to greatness and walked down destiny’s golden paths. To those ships found guilty by the British Crown, the judgment went much further in their ability to sail in waters filled with English naval vessels peacefully. They would be relentlessly hunted down without mercy. The Atlantic regions were forever under the watchful, vengeful eyes and guns of the British.
It would take time, but ultimately the communiqué would find its way throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic. The condemnation was set in stone. Once the outlaw schooner was brought to bay, whether it was by the navy or contracted privateer, it would be yet another feather in Thomas’ cap to take credit for.
Colonel Thomas’s mind imaged one of his favorit
e pools shrouded with lush green foliage not far from headquarters that had a majestic view of the cove by way of an opening, which he had the natives cut out facing the direction that beheld the British garrison.
“Yes, a most lovely setting high above the ridge; a place of romantic solitude for a couple to indulge in pleasurable overtures.”
He had his mind made up, and he called to his naval clerk seated at a desk on the other side of the door, who was caught a bit flat-footed, his mind was adrift with thoughts of downing spirits later that day at one of the nearby cantinas. Almost falling out of his chair, the soldier caught his balance. Quickly stepping to the commander’s door, he knocked and presented himself.
“Sergeant, arrange me a carriage for mid-afternoon. I will be making my rounds of certain naval defensive positions on the island,” Thomas ordered.
“Yes, sir! Right away, colonel.” He whirled and exited immediately never desiring to stay in the presence of Thomas for too long if he could help it.
Thomas felt content in the thought of spending the rest of the day in sensual debauchery with a woman with a tantalizing body and a willingness to share it with him – for the proper price of course.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
TRADING AGREEMENT
The round black sphere felt solid in his hand as he walked across the deck. It was early morning when Heinrich stopped by to see Doctor Strobel.
“Hello doctor, I’ve got something here I want you to look at and see what you think,” Heinrich said approaching Siegfried who sat in a chair with a medical book in his lap. He put the book on his desk as Heinrich held up the round object and handed it over. Siegfried held it in his hand and looked it over with enthusiastic interest.
“Where did you get this?”
“From the head elder of the village as a gift. It is nice and shiny now that I see it in the light of day. Just a polished rock perhaps? It looks rather opulent to me when one imagines it used as jewelry.”
Siegfried gave him an all-knowing look. “You hit it smack on the target, my friend. I believe it is a pearl and a handsome one at that. This is worth some money.”
“A black pearl? I have never seen one like that. I have seen a few small pearls on voyages in the Mediterranean, but nothing as dark and large as this. I will have to talk with the elder about this.”
“I would if I were you. If they can get these by diving in these local waters and have them available in quantities, then they have a real treasure on their hands and may not know it. These pearls are of high value in my humble estimation and can be of real value to the villagers.”
“Thanks, doc. I will find out more and get back to you.”
Heinrich strode out the door lighter in his step having full faith in Strobel’s determining it to be what he was hoping it would be. If indeed these pearls came from the immediate vicinity, it could well mean the start of a lucrative endeavor for his business as well as the villagers. They could be the supplier source and he the means to transport to markets.
* * *
It was almost noon, and Heinrich went to look in on Klaus who had been told by him to spend the day at rest to recuperate from the numerous bruises and assortment of injuries received from the fights with Leo and Helmut. However, he was nowhere to be found onboard. Heinrich had searched for him everywhere, and as he was striding back from the bow of the ship, a shout from above hailed him. “Captain, are you looking for the young fighting brute?” came the question from high above amongst the rigging.
Heinrich looked up. “Ja, I’m looking for Klaus. Have you seen him?”
“I thought you might be looking for him. I saw him a bit earlier, and he went with one of the boats to shore.”
“Thanks, Zimmer. Have someone let me know when he returns.”
“Jawohl, captain.”
Heinrich went walking to his cabin.
“That lad; I bet he went to visit his young sweetheart in the village. He’s so concerned for her. All right, I suppose that’s not so bad.”
* * *
He advised Otto that he was heading to shore to speak with the village elders. Two other boats full with sailors were ready to head for the island, and he boarded one and made for the beach. As they neared the shore, Heinrich could see several dozen sailors already on the beach, some sprawled out on the sand, some sitting in the shade of trees, and others strolling down the cove smoking their pipes. All of them had a mug in hand, while several wooden kegs were strategically situated along the shore under a tree. It almost looked like some sort of retirement venue for downcast sailors. Heinrich knew the crew would be much happier getting drunk within a harbor town, but for now, it wasn’t to be. It was at least a small hiatus from their ship’s tasks. He hoped that the time away from their routine work would help them relax for the next couple of days. They beached the boats, and he swung in the direction to the village.
* * *
Heinrich found the village elders meeting together. While drinking a fermented fruit concoction, they sat and talked casually. The talk included discussing the Klaus and Liza incident some more, and the elders acknowledged understanding of Drope’s decision for Klaus to administer the punishment as he did. They were pleased with the outcome and thanked Heinrich for seeing to it. After a while, Heinrich asked if he could speak privately with the chief elder, Ramon Abril. When the other elders had left, he took out the pearl and discussed the subject with Ramon. He and the man had struck up a quick friendship when they had first met. Both had found each other indwelled with many similar character traits; especially involving life values and principles.
Heinrich was delighted to find out that the natives regularly dove for pearls in the cove as well as several other small bays nearby and was extremely surprised that the older man trusted him so well to show him a small canvass bag filled full with the precious gems. From what he had been told by Siegfried that morning, he guessed this one full bag must be worth a small fortune. He was further stunned as the elder explained that the village had a stash hidden nearby filled with many more of these bags.
The man explained they used the pearls to purchase their goods on the monthly trips to the coastal town of Baye de Samana. Ramon confided in him that the trips were becoming much too dangerous and a liability to the villagers for the men that they sent to the town to do their trading had begun feeling suspicious of the merchants in town as they questioned the villagers vigorously regarding the pearls. There came a time not too long after when the village men on their trek back one time found a group of men shadowing them to find out the village location. It was obvious to the men they were after the pearls, and they made concerted efforts from then on to take different routes home and even split up to lose those who followed them on the forest trails. Using long and shrewd practiced methods, the villagers who knew the land much better than the town’s people, had so far been able to lose those who tried to follow them. However, Ramon explained that the elders decided the danger of their village being discovered was too great, and they stopped the trips to Baye de Samana. Their plan was to try approaching other villages for supplies but had not yet attempted it.
With this news, Heinrich did not hesitate to explain and offer the chief elder a plan to instead sell the pearls in America and Europe on a regular basis so that the villagers could profit from them in more ways than they had been, such as rebuilding their village structures with new materials that he would purchase and transport to the island. He promised that his carpenters would help construct new dwellings and also teach the village men how to build. Ramon was very receptive to the idea and agreed to the plan and would equally split the profits. He was sure the other elders would be just as receptive to the plan and summoned them to make the collective decision final.
The rest of the elders readily saw the advantage and having put their trust in Heinrich, together they worked out a simple deal to include regular stops to the village which also included medical assistance from Siegfried besides the dropping off of month
ly miscellaneous supplies of articles they needed. This would continue the isolation of the village and provide the protection required. It would also bring the villagers a better quality of life. It was a start of a profitable business, and the amount the local sea beds held of the prized items seemed to be endless.
Ramon and the other elders led Heinrich through dense vegetation until they reached a rocky cliff section not far from the village. Hidden behind a thick tree grove was a narrow trail which led them to a natural cave high on the steep rock face. The opening did not face outward. It was hidden from view for it ran parallel to the cliff’s face just as a pants pocket allowed a hand to be inserted. In addition, a rocky protrusion in the form of a bulge swelled outward from the cliff blocking view of the cave’s opening. The men squeezed through the narrow opening one by one and two torches were lit. Immediately the enormity of the cave was revealed. Walking deeper inside to the far wall, Ramon pointed to one of several adjacent rooms and inside showed him their stash of pearls. Drope could not believe his eyes when he saw the number of bags filled with pearls. After a thorough inspection of the cave, Heinrich was confident it was a perfect hiding place and said as much to the elders.
“Yes, this will do just fine. Only my most trusted crew leaders will know about this hideout. We will only tell the rest that the valuables are in safe keeping. May we stash our precious valuables made from profits in here also from time to time between voyages?”
Winds of Fury Page 44