Now & Then

by John Locke

  “I am twelve, sir, by almost nine months. There is proof from a midwife, as mine was a difficult birth.”

  “Are these two in fact your parents?”

  “They are.”

  Now that Jack had her talking, the words spilled out of her. She told him that her father was a mean drunk who beat her older sister to death and made it appear to be an accident. “He’s nearly killed me twice,” she added, “though not recently, as I have to gain strength again before trying to run away.”

  “And yet you keep trying.”

  “I do, sir.”

  “What’s his drink of choice?” Jack asked, and Johanna gave him a funny look.

  “Kill Devil,” she said.

  “Aye, that would do it,” Jack said. Kill Devil was rum laced with gunpowder. It had been Blackbeard’s favorite drink. “So your father drinks regular and beats you?”

  “Regular enough.”

  “What about neighbors? Is there no one nearby to offer help?”

  “We live deep in the woods where there’s no one near to hear me scream. By day he keeps me tied to a lead line which is convenient because he can use it to beat me with, should I move too slow in my chores. He threatens to hobble me if I run away again, and would have by now, except that he couldn’t get a fair price for me. Of course I am as horrid as I can be around them, thinking he might wish me gone enough to lower the price.”

  “I’ve met wood children before,” Jack said. “How is it you learned such a fine manner of speech?”

  “They weren’t always like this. Before the poverty and drink seized him they were decent people. Mother was educated in London, taught my sister and me to read and write, taught my sister Lisbeth mostly, but Lisbeth taught me much. It was she who started the running away.”

  “What did he whisper to you just now?”

  She looked around. Jack said, “It’s all right. You can tell me.”

  “He told me if you turn me down, he’s going to ruin me for all men.”

  Jack held up the lantern and saw the bruises running up and down her arms and legs. She had choke marks on her neck, and her cheekbones were in various stages of healing. A blood bruise covered half her right eye, and her lip was fat from a recent slap or punch. A line of dried blood started at the corner of her mouth and made a stain down her chin. She looked around again and whispered, “Though he quoted you twelve, he’d be happy with half that. Should you be interested in saving me, that is.”

  “You seem a lovely sort. A decent man wouldn’t quibble over the price.”

  “Are you a decent man, sir?”

  “I like to think so.”

  “I’d like to have children someday.”

  Jack nodded. He took her to mean she feared being ruined by her father, should Jack turn her down.

  “He’ll eventually kill me,” she said. Her body began shaking, and he realized she was crying. “Please, sir,” she said. “I can butcher your kill and cut it down and salt it. I’m handy in the woods. I know some healing herbs and I’m good at finding tubers. If you save me I’ll never give you reason to regret it.”

  Maybe it was the welts and bruises, or the unfairness of it all, or maybe just the rotgut from dinner buzzing his brain. But Jack had asked to hear her tale of woe, and now he couldn’t bear to hear another word. He took her by the hand and together they walked across the yard to George’s front door, and when they opened it, Jack amazed himself by announcing he would marry Johanna Bradford that very night. He opened his kit and paid Richard and Patience Bradford twelve pounds sterling for their daughter’s hand in marriage.

  The only requirement for a legally valid marriage in 1710 was the completion of a marriage contract called a ‘spousal,’ and the exchange of vows. The entire process could be completed in minutes, with no witnesses required. For this reason, most young lovers were able to marry in secret. But Jack and Johanna had a number of witnesses. George prepared the contract, Jack and Johanna exchanged words, drinks were passed around, and then Johanna went with Marie to help put the child Steffan to bed.

  Jack had half a mind to kill Johanna’s parents where they stood, but in deference to his bride he hustled them out of the house and told them to leave and never come back. With that chore out of the way, Jack sat down and worked out a payment for George and Marie to house Johanna and teach her to be a proper “helpmate,” meaning a woman who knew how to keep a house and educate children.

  “She can sleep in the guest room unless we have a visitor,” George said.

  Jack paid George two months in advance and said, “Her father claims she’s wrong in the head, but I think he’s the one that’s crazy. But if she proves too much for you, I’ll work out a different arrangement when I return.”

  The two men shook hands to seal the agreement, and Jack took some time to explain the arrangement to Johanna. Then he kissed her on the forehead, took a blanket and a bottle of rum out to the boat, climbed in and slept. The next morning he woke early, saddled one of George’s horses, and went to the river crossing, hoping to see (but not intending to impregnate) his girlfriend, Abby Winter.

  Chapter 18

  Now, in the woods, Pim waited patiently while Jack confirmed Johanna’s claim. Abby called him a bastard, and Johanna lunged at her again.

  Jack stepped between them and said, “Hush, you two. What’s done is done and I’ll do right by both of you.”

  “I don’t see that possibility,” Abby said, “since you’re already married to this hellion, and I’m carrying your child.”

  “You’ve given her your seed?” Johanna said, incredulously. “How could you do this to me? I’m your wife. That seed is rightfully mine.”

  “I’d give it back if I could, you pasty-faced brat!” Abby said.

  “Abby, that’s enough! Johanna, it happened before I ever met you!”

  “Oh,” Johanna said.

  “And again this very morning, if we’re keeping a tally,” Abby said.

  Johanna glared at the older, prettier, pregnant girl a moment, then turned away and started running. Jack raced after her and found her lying on the ground, sobbing. Jack sat beside her and said, “This is not the best of circumstances, but we’ll get through it. Right now we’ve some men to save, and I’ll ask you to be civil for the time being. Too much noise at the wrong time could get us all killed.”

  Johanna looked him in the eyes. “You coupled with her this very morning? How could you, Jack?”

  “I’m sorry I’ve hurt you. That’s all I can say.”

  When they got back to the camp, Rose was grinning at him.

  “Don’t say a word,” Jack warned.

  Surprisingly, Hester had not spoken throughout the ordeal. She’d been treated far worse by men than what she’d seen between Jack and her daughter, and seemed content to stay out of it. When the camp had quieted down to an uneasy truce, Pim gave Jack his scouting report.

  “There’s eight soldiers guardin’ the Blue Dog,” he said, “and I don’t know how many inside. Maybe ten, maybe twice that. Some’re whorin’, some’re waitin’ for the hangin’. Like you said, the men are all upstairs, so there must be guards on the steps as well. There were two guardin’ the road on this side and two on the other, but they’re arguin’ for their souls with St. Peter at present. You formed a plan yet?”

  “Has The Fortress moved?”

  “Aye, she’s backed out to deeper water, so she must’ve seen your signal. But she’ll be a sittin’ duck out there against The Viceroy, without man enough to work the guns.”

  “And the shore boats? Have the soldiers burned them?”

  “Nay, they be right where they was.”

  “They must think they got all the pirates bottled up in one place.”

  “Aye, and most of ’em drunk or drugged half way to Hades.”

  “In your experience, Pim, how superstitious are our mates?”

  “This lot what’s holed up in the Blue Dog? Worst I’ve seen.”

  “I agree. And wh
at of soldiers in general, what do they fear most?”

  Pim rubbed his beard. “I couldn’t say for certain. But witches and faeries would scare any man, ’specially if they was comin’ for their souls, I guess.” He paused a minute and then said, “Why, you thinkin’ of scarin’ ‘em somehow?”

  Jack smiled.

  “Then what’re we waitin’ for?” Pim said.

  “Dark.”

  Chapter 19

  They had eight muskets between them, and a number of pistols and knives. Of the women, only Hester had fired a weapon before, and her experience was limited to pistols. They’d be going up against at least eight soldiers, two of whom stood behind the back of the building. There were at least twenty more inside, maybe more.

  A sudden shriek pierced the night air, from inside the Blue Dog. Then, several more followed. A gun fired, and things went quiet. Five minutes later, wild cheering erupted.

  “What d’you think, Cap’n?” Pim said.

  Jack set his jaw. “I think they’ve hung the first one.”

  Jack explained the plan twice, then arranged the participants and had them act it out. He offered several possible variations, and reviewed how they should react. By the time he felt comfortable with the details, it was dark. By then, if Jack was right about the screams and cheering, three more of his crew had been hung.

  Since the Blue Dog was on a corner lot, there was nothing to prevent the soldiers from guarding the side, or going around the building to chat or drink with the guards in back. So Pim worked his way through the woods until he had a clear view of the far side. George and Rose worked their way to the edge of the woods on the near side, and got as close as they could to the Blue Dog while avoiding detection. At that point, Jack and Hester left the safety of the woods, followed by Abby and Johanna, trying to look like a regular colonial family that had wandered into the wrong area.

  There were fifty yards of open space between the center of the woods and the back of the Blue Dog. The soldiers had set two sets of lamps on each corner behind the saloon, figuring to track any movement that blocked the light. But they’d grown lax in their duty, figuring all the pirates were caught and secured on the second floor, and the hanging had begun more than an hour ago and continued without interruption. So when Jack and his new “family” approached the soldiers and Hester cried out, “Sirs!” the guards were so startled they nearly shot each other.

  Had Jack realized how carelessly they were guarding the back, he would have simply walked up and killed them. But that opportunity had passed, and now the soldiers were aiming muskets at them. The two girls peeked out from behind.

  “Who are you?” one said, “And what are you doing out here without a lamp?”

  The soldier’s breath was heavy with liquor.

  “We came down the beach some time ago, headed for St. Alban’s,” Jack said. My wife had a pain in her chest and we went to the woods to seek an herb. Then we got lost and stayed that way until we seen your lights. Can you say if there be a doctor nearby?”

  The other soldier walked to the corner, picked up one of the lamps, and brought it back. He held it up to Hester’s face and cursed, almost dropping it.

  “What the hell is wrong with your woman?”

  “As I say, she’s sufferin’.”

  “You said her chest was paining her. Maybe we should take a look.”

  Jack said, “Go ahead and show them, dear. Maybe they can help.”

  “Aye, we’ve seen lots of titties. We know how they’d look should somethin’ be wrong with ‘em.”

  As Hester began working the buttons the soldiers drew in for a closer look. But as she opened the top of her dress, Rugby shrieked and jumped out with claws flying. Neither soldier had time to react, as Jack’s knife made short work of them. A moment later, George and Rose ran up to him, panting. Jack and George stripped and changed into the guard’s uniforms, then helped Hester, Johanna and Abby drag the bodies back to the woods. Rugby followed them with something hanging from his mouth. Turned out she’d ripped one of the guard’s ears off and was saving it to eat later.

  Rose hid herself under Jack’s coat and scrunched up against the back of the building where the light was dim.

  With their jobs done, Hester, Johanna and Abby sought shelter in the woods. Pim’s whistle told Jack that he had them covered, should anyone approach from the far side of the building.

  Based on what Pim had said, Jack had reason to believe his men could sense that he was nearby. This would give them courage, should they regain their faculties. What Jack didn’t understand was Pim’s comment that, with Jack beneath the window, the men would quickly start sobering up and lose their grogginess from the drugs.

  Just then, another burst of cheering emanated from the building, which meant they were down five men. Moments later, two drunken soldiers made their way around the far corner and picked up the remaining lamp. They were in their long johns and one was wearing his soldier’s cap backwards. Jack hollered, “Here, let me give you a hand.” He moved quickly to them, and listened as they told him about the quality of the hookers and beer inside. He interrupted their stories with his knife. George ran over and helped drag the new bodies out of view.

  Four down, and two of them guards. Leaving six guards out front, and maybe two dozen soldiers inside. Plus however many were entertaining whores in the building next door.

  By Jack’s calculation there were probably more pirates in the Blue Dog than soldiers. Good. As he was about to begin the tricky part of his plan, he heard Pim’s danger whistle.

  “Rose,” he whispered. “Stay down.”

  A soldier had made his way down the side of the building to check on the other guards. As he turned the corner, George, on his knees, swung the butt of his musket as hard as he could into the soldier’s knee caps. The soldier let out a scream that died in his throat when George cut his neck. Two of the other guards at the front corner heard their comrade’s scream and ran to the back of the building to investigate. George was hovering over the body, pretending to give it aid. As the soldiers approached, George turned toward them, revealing two drawn pistols, which he used to shoot them. Then he tossed the pistols to Jack for reloading, and shouted for help.

  The three remaining guards raced around the building. As they approached, George shouted, “One pirate, running. He’s kilt these two, but he’s out of ammunition!” George pointed to the sand dunes. Two of them made for the sand dune, the third started running to warn the soldiers inside.

  It wasn’t necessary, since they’d all heard the gunfire. A half-dozen soldiers joined the guard out front, heard the report of an unarmed lone pirate running through the sand dunes, and rejoined the soldiers inside who were conducting the hangings. By then, Pim had shot the two on the sand dune, and George and Jack lured the remaining guard out of view and stabbed him quietly, then propped the body against the wall to make it appear he was passed out.

  George stood guard out front while Jack entered the whorehouse. Moments later Jack returned and reported there were no soldiers inside. He waited for Pim’s whistle. When it came, Jack went to the back of the building and told Rose it was time. She climbed out from under Jack’s coat and stood below the second floor window, whose base was about sixteen feet off the ground. She lifted her arms over her head. At that moment, Jack would have given anything to see what she was going to do and how she planned to do it. But George needed help, so he reluctantly turned the corner and ran to the front of the building to provide it.

  Then the sound started.

  Chapter 20

  Because it was dark, and the remaining two lamps inadequate to offer Pim or the women a clear view of what transpired next, and because for the rest of their lives no one believed the pirates’ version, since admittedly they were drunk or drugged at the time, and because there was only one sober person who knows exactly what happened, and since she was the one who did it—history never recorded what happened that night behind the Blue Lagoon.

&nb
sp; But according to the captured pirates, she flew.

  Rose flew.

  Or at least, she lifted herself off the ground.

  As she raised herself higher and higher into the warm night air behind the Blue Lagoon, she began speaking words that Jack had never heard in any of his travels. Indeed, she seemed to be speaking two or three different languages at the same time, and her voice was huge and shrill and powerful, and louder than any storm. As the sounds from her voice grew louder and louder still, the pirates covered their ears and fell to their knees and prayed for mercy. By then the sound had become a high-pitched wail, a shrieking, ear-splitting cyclone of a sound that shattered the second floor window.

  Jack’s superstitious men took one look at the demon-possessed child hovering twenty feet off the ground and became horror struck. It seemed to be the coming of the dead. They cried and moaned and gnashed their teeth and crossed themselves and pushed their fingers deep into their ears. Such was the chaos that every soldier on the first floor scrambled up the stairs to see what was happening. At that precise moment, while the hallway and stairs were filled with soldiers, Jack charged through the front door with George and the two began shooting. Then, according to the drunken survivors, Rose opened her eyes and they glowed reptilian yellow, with a vertical black line in the center. She switched to English and spewed forth such vile oaths and imprecations that Jack’s thirty-five hardened pirates crashed through the door and charged into the soldiers with wild abandon, like deer running from a raging fire.

  Finding themselves caught off guard, trampled by the fleeing pirates, the soldiers were unable to fire their weapons for lack of space to point them. With upwards of forty men on the staircase, screaming and pushing to escape, it finally crashed to the floor. By then, Pim had joined his friends and together they emptied their weapons into the enemy. When the pirates realized Jack and Pim were killing soldiers, they warmed to the task and killed their share.

  A half hour later, the pirates were settled in the landing boats, waiting for their captain. To a man, they refused to look in Rose’s direction, though Jack himself had vouched for her. Had they looked at Rose, they’d have seen Rugby perched on her shoulder, looking very calm.