* * *
Patrick was woken by the sounds of excitement and rushed topside to see what the commotion was. The imposing sun blinded him immediately, but after he rubbed the darkness of his cabin from his eyes, Patrick could see the hazy coastline lying far off in the horizon. Captain Gibbons could be heard praising the sailing master for such a deft job. The Robin was but one day's sail up the coast. Straying so far off course after the battle with the Spanish privateers, the captain's gratitude of the impressive navigation was well deserved. Morale amongst the crew was high. Each man bragged how they would soon be spending their hard-earned silver on women, fresh food and strong spirits.
“Quartermaster, muster the crew," Captain Gibbons ordered. "It is time we made them understand the rules of shore leave."
Immediately, the boatswain’s whistle blew and the excited crew gathered around the captain.
“Before you men get so excited you lose your focus, I need to remind you of your obligations,” the captain stated sternly, looking at each man in turn. "You will have only one week to enjoy shore leave but you must check in with the quartermaster at high noon every day. Remember you have sworn contract to this vessel and if you do not return to honor those commitments, the consequences will be severe.” The captain allowed the men their moment to grumble. He understood their excitement because the crew had been stuck on a ship for weeks, but he would not suffer any indiscretion. When the men quieted again, he continued, “There are certain rules and protocols in Savannah you must follow or you will disgrace this ship and its captain."
Quartermaster Mandrik was quick to drive the point home and shouted, "And any of ya crew break da laws and disgraces da cap’n, I will flog ya to da devil!”
“Now then," continued the Captain, "Savannah only has four rules you must remember. One: No strong water, spirits, rum or brandy is allowed.” A loud rumble of objection quickly overtook the crew. “But beer, ale and wine are just fine,” Gibbons explained.
“Two: absolutely no lawyers are allowed. The city understands that lawyers create divisiveness, encourages clients to seek causes. So if you do get in trouble while ashore, you will have to plead your own case. Then you will have to come back and deal with Mr. Mandrik," the captain warned.
"Three: there is no slavery in this town. The Negroes you meet will be free men and we expect you to keep your peace with them.
"Fourth and finally: No Papists and Roman Catholics are allowed to worship there. Savannah doesn't want to worry about its Catholics sympathizing with the Spanish Catholics, so that sect of religion is outlawed."
“Fie! Dis is gonna dun break me mutter’s heart and make Jesus cry, ya impertinent fly-bitten foot-lickers!” Shamus barked up.
“I would normally have ordered you beaten close to death for that outburst," the captain cautioned, "but since you are being sold tomorrow, I can’t have you blackened.”
“Also, there are no Jews allowed," the captain pointed out. "They don’t really enforce this one but it is their law. So, Isaac, be mindful of that and lose that little Jew hat of yours.
“Unfortunately," the captain addressed the crew and former prisoners, "we have some unpleasantness we have to take care of before we land. Let this serve as a demonstration that I am not a captain you want to embarrass in Savannah." He then turned to Mandrik and ordered, "Bring them up!”
Two hoodwinked men were brought out and forced to kneel before the captain. Their hoods were removed and both men had tears streaming down their faces.
Captain Gibbons announced so all the crew could hear from their positions, “Mr. Michael and Mr. James, you have denied stealing rations before. I have heard complaints from crewmates that they have seen you both exiting the galley when it has been unattended. I had overlooked all of this to keep peace in my crew until Mr. Mandrik caught you two red, handed as it were, with stolen food and wine. Not just any wine, but MY WINE.”
One of the accused men openly sobbed while the other merely starred at the planks of the deck.
Gibbons continued, “You have been told to stay out of the galley repeatedly. You have been accused repeatedly and now been caught stealing from me."
Mr. Michael quivered. He wiped the snot off his nose on his shoulder, gathered his courage and then pronounced, “I can’t help it Cap'n. I need the wine to soothe me nerves.” Upon confessing his guilt, Mr. Michael continued a deluge of tears. Snickers could be heard from the crew.
Mr. James was older than Mr. Michael and starred defiantly at the captain, “Ya group of Judases! Hypocrites! Men ha'been stealing from each otter on dese ships since da beginning of time. I've even shared my goods with some a'yous, and yous shared with me, but I don’t see you kneeling down here with me now. Ya didn’t mind drinking me wine when we be alone, but now ya be cowards and not stand up for us when it counts!” With that condemnation, James spit on the deck.
“Enough!" Captain Gibbon's eyes were burning as he dispensed, "For that outburst and unremorseful statement, I pass sentence on you two, mammering thieves. Two rounds of keelhauling for the both of you.” The crew gasped at such a harsh punishment.
It was at that moment when the Greek man felt his wooden St. Nicholas icon fall out of his pocket and hit the deck. The religious man tried to grab it as it dropped but he watched in horror as the edge of the icon broke off as it bounced around the planks. A deep sense of dread overtook him and he realized this was a warning sign from his protective saint. He knew the captain’s orders were much too extreme and down deep he knew he should not follow this order, but years of strict obedience overruled his gut feeling. Instead of not following the harsh order he tried to convince Gibbons to reduce their sentence.
Mr. Mandrik drops his icon and Mr. Michael and Mr. James are presented for punishment
Pirates of Savannah Trilogy: Book One, Sold in Savannah - Young Adult Action Adventure Historical Fiction Page 13