by Michael Aye
“No let up,” Crowe volunteered. “If anything it’s worse.” The sound towards the cave entrance was almost deafening.
“I’ve never heard the wind pitched so high,” Buck said, “nor for so long.”
“Like all the hounds of hell have busted loose,” Lum added.
Looking at the women perched here and there, still asleep, Buck whispered, “I feel we will have to conserve the wood…and the food.”
“We got food,” Lum said, motioning toward the mules.
“I hope it’ll not come to that,” Buck answered. “I’m thinking that when this storm is over, those animals will be worth their weight.”
“Aye,” Crowe agreed. “Truth be known, Admiral, I don’t see much surviving that.” He emphasized that by motioning toward the cave entrance with his head.
“You’re right. The governor’s house is made of stone that’s several feet thick but the roof is just an ordinary roof.”
“They got a cellar,” Lum said. “I been down to it. If they got down there, maybe they’s will be safe.”
A whining noise was heard and Lum felt Sam, Faith’s dog, nudge his hand. “It’s alright boy. We’re safe.”
“He’s nervous by all this,” Faith said as she walked up.
“All of us are,” Buck admitted.
Seeing Faith’s baby in her arms, Lum asked, “Want me to hold the little man, Missy? You’ve had him the whole night.”
“Thank you, Lum. If you can light a lantern for me, I have to go to the back of the cave.”
“I’ll light the lantern,” Crowe volunteered as Lum took the baby. “Careful where you walk, there’s a little river running toward the back from all the rain that’s blown in.”
“Might be a way to dam it up a little so the mules can drink,” Lum said, thinking aloud. “All this rain and it ain’t doing them poh mules a tad of good.”
While the storm raged, Faith and Deborah sat together, worrying about the ships at sea. Nanny made a breakfast of leftovers she’d made yesterday morning.
“It’s a good thing Nanny cooked as much as she did,” Buck said as he munched on a cookie.
“Not the worst breakfast I’ve ever had,” Crowe said in agreement.
“Only thing missing is a cup of coffee,” Livi said. “Not hot tea like in England, but a good cup of morning coffee. Just smelling it wakes a person up.”
“Yes ma’m, it sho’ do and Nanny makes the best coffee you ever tasted,” Lum said.
“I don’t know about coffee but these cookies are sure good,” little Macayla said, joining the conversation. “Mother, could we have cookies for breakfast every morning?”
Deborah smiled and hugged her daughter, “Maybe on special mornings, we can.”
“Like when daddy comes home?”
“Yes, when daddy comes home,” Deborah said, tearing up.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
THE WINDS HAD CALMED down and the waves were just long gray rollers. Not the crashing white caps the squadron had fought for nearly a day. On board the flagship, Mr. Waters, the master, was in the admiral’s cabin with Lord Anthony on one side and Captain Earl on the other.
“The weather has moderated and the glass has raised some. I think we’ve outrun the worst of the storm; of course, we came about in a timely manner. Another few hours and we may not have had the opportunity,” the master said.
“Aye,” Earl agreed, glad he and his lordship had decided to run when they did.
“I fear there are a lot of sailors who perished in that one,” Waters said.
“Aye, ours and the enemies. We have trust in you, Mr. Waters,” Anthony said to his old master. “A commander who ignores his master is a foolish man. Unless my back was against the wall I’d not risk my ship or crew when advised by a man as prudent as yourself. You are a credit to your occupation, sir, and I’m proud to have you as SeaHorse’s master.”
“Laying it on a bit thick,” Bart would later say, but not really unhappy. “Not many admirals would thank the master for doing ’is job. We’ll let the bloke shine for a bit. Maybe ’e’d be more up for a game later.” It’s just possible, Bart thought.
***
DAGAN STOOD LOOKING OUT the stern windows in Gabe’s cabin. “I don’t think we’ll have to run all the way to the gulf,” he said.
“I’m worried about Faith and James. They may have been in the path of the storm,” Gabe said.
“Probably were,” Dagan replied. “But don’t worry, everybody is safe.”
“Everybody?” Gabe inquired.
“Everybody in the family,” Dagan responded.
Gabe felt a burden lift. He had been dreading going back to Barbados. Now, with Dagan’s proclamation, he felt better.
“Think Gil will drop anchor at Jamaica?”
“Might be too crowded with the Jamaica squadron there. May pull in to Grand Cayman or just come about and head home,” Dagan replied.
“Vallin wouldn’t mind a few days there,” Gabe said smiling.
“No, he wouldn’t,” Dagan replied. He closed the stern windows and as he walked past Gabe, he gave him a slight pop to the back of his head. “Think I’ll go smoke my pipe. Were you any kind of a captain, you’d invite a few officers for dinner.”
Gabe smiled at his uncle, “Might cocky for your age, I’d say.”
“Humph…” Dagan snorted and then grew serious. “Thought about what you’ll do about Lieutenant Bufford?”
“He’ll have to answer to Gil. I can’t let him get by with being drunk on duty.”
“I think he’s a changed man. Near death experiences tend to make people mend their ways,” Dagan said.
Gabe stared at Dagan, “I can’t leave him on the ship.”
“Aye,” Dagan admitted. “But a little talk with Captain Earl and a transfer might be arranged; that and the knowledge that it’s his only chance. Might be a way to salvage a good officer.”
“Do you think he’s a good officer,” Gabe asked, sitting up in his chair.
“I’ve seen a lot worse. Could be he’d be grateful enough that he’d certainly mend his ways. He’s already apologized to Laqua in front of most of the wardroom officers,” Dagan said.
“I heard that from Vallin. Were it not for Laqua, he’d have been over the side for sure.”
“He knows it,” Dagan said.
“I’ll talk to Stephen,” Gabe decided, meaning Captain Earl.
“You put your boots on and you could come on deck and smoke a bowl. I don’t think it would be amiss.”
Grabbing his boots, Gabe said, “I’ll be right up after I tell Nesbit that we’ll have the officers not on watch for dinner.”
***
GRAND CAYMAN, GEORGETOWN. THE arrival of Lord Anthony’s squadron created much excitement. Everyone wanted to know the latest news. What was the latest word on the French, the Spaniards, and the American privateers? What was happening socially?
“I can only speak of Jamaica,” Lord Anthony admitted to Mrs. Eden, William Eden’s wife. Lord Anthony then explained that they’d departed Jamaica for Barbados when the storm started showing itself.
“Being a seaman, you changed your course,” Mr. Eden said before Anthony could explain. “We have ships and men lost between here and Port Royal. Some I would have thought had better sense than to sail into a blow.”
Not liking a landsman speaking ill of a sailor, Lord Anthony replied, “Sometimes the elements can change before you can prepare for them.”
“I understand,” Eden replied, sensing from Lord Anthony’s tone that he had been offensive. Changing the subject, Eden said, “We continue to appreciate the protection that Captain Montgomery and his ship have provided. We had a ship from Jamaica come in. Lord Parker sent them over while Captain Montgomery stood down for a few days. Admiral Parker assured me he’d send a relief every month or so.”
“I’m glad he remembered,” Anthony said.
“It appears that the island women are smitten with sailors, my Lord. First my niec
e with your Lieutenant Vallin, and now one of the free black women has set her cap for Captain Montgomery, I’m told. We have a weekly meeting of the island’s militia and Captain Montgomery always attends.”
“That’s good,” Anthony replied, but thought, you haven’t said anything about his attending any social functions. He’s good enough to defend the island but not the right color for any social occasions. “I’m glad to hear it,” Anthony said, and then feeling devilish added, “I’d hate to think a man who’d risk his life and that of his ship and men to protect the island would not be welcomed and received in all circles. I believe it was you who said, ‘things were different here in the islands, more accepted.’ I believe that was the word you used.”
“Hmmm…well, yes I do believe I may have mentioned that,” Eden responded.
Lord Anthony could tell he’d made Eden uncomfortable. Good, he thought but let it drop.
***
CON VALLIN SAT ON the veranda with Hannah sitting next to him. Holding hands, the two were lost to all but the nearness of one another.
“Do they let wives on ships?” Hannah asked.
“There are a few, the wife of a captain mostly, but I know of a few others. Why?”
“Because I’m not going to sit on this island the whole time you are in the Navy,” Hannah replied.
“Lord Anthony, Captain Anthony, and now Captain Davy all have wives back on Barbados. That way being in the home port, they get to see them far more often,” Vallin said.
“Humph…If my husband was an admiral, he damn well better have a place for me on his boat.”
Vallin was shocked. He corrected her about the word boat. “It’s a ship, sweetheart, a ship. A boat is something you row.” He didn’t correct her profanity. He’d heard from the captain that Faith could let loose when she was mad. Maybe it was the way it was now. Hannah was certainly an independent little wench.
“Do you want to get married while you are here?” Hannah asked, her hand lying on the inside of his leg.
“Of course, but I’d have to ask the admiral and you’d have to get permission from your parents.”
“Backing water?” Hannah asked.
Vallin looked into Hannah’s eyes and his heart melted. “Never, never, God as my witness.”
“I wish we could, but you are right. We can’t rush it in three days. If you could take Captain Montgomery’s place we could,” Hannah said.
“You forget I’m not a ship’s captain,” Vallin replied.
“You are both lieutenants.”
“Yes, but he’s a captain. I’m the ship’s first officer.”
“Well, you hurry up and get you a boa…ship, I mean. I’m ready to get married.”
An island coaster pulled into Georgetown the morning before Lord Anthony’s squadron set sail. Word had come from Saint Lucia that the hurricane had wreaked havoc among the British Navy and many were lost, but no word had come from Barbados.
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
THE STORM WAS OVER. The rain had lessened and the howl of the wind had diminished. The sky began to clear, and the wind and the rain was gone. Walking outside the cave for the first time since around noon of the ninth felt strange. It was now the morning of the eleventh. They had spent nearly two days in the damp but safe cave. Staring around, the group was in awe. Nothing was standing. Not a tree, hedge, or bush. Nothing.
With Deborah and Macayla astride one mule and Faith holding little James on the other, they set out. Admiral Buck leading with Livi holding on to him, Ariel and Nanny were walking slightly behind them, with Crowe and Lum leading the mules. They had not traveled far when they saw a man.
“The church,” the man cried when the group approached him. “The church, it’s been swept away. I can’t find the rector.”
“He may have been away,” Buck said. “He may have been visiting. He may even be in Bridgetown.”
“It’s gone,” the man cried as he turned to walk away. “It’s all gone, every house,” he continued as he walked away.
“He’s in shock,” Buck said to the ladies. “He’s ranting.” I hope, Buck thought to himself.
Hours later when the group made it to Bridgetown, they discovered much to their horror, the half-crazed man was right. The buildings and houses in Barbados, as well as the forts, which were all built with strong, thick walls, had all given way to the fury of the hurricane. All were torn away to the very foundation. Many of the fort’s heavy cannons were carried a hundred feet or so from the emplacements in the destroyed forts. The Government house was gone. Carefully, the group picked their way over the debris.
“Look,” Livi whispered to Buck. A body, a dead lifeless body was lying in a heap. Mouth and eyes were open, one hand stretched out like he’d been pointing at something.
Deborah tried to shield Macayla, who quickly pulled her head away from her mother’s hand. “Are all those people dead?” she said, pointing toward the right.
They were, and soon not only were they trying to step over debris, but bodies as well, thousands of bodies.
“Oh, my God,” Deborah prayed.
Nanny looked about in terror. “The Lawd was wid us up yonder in dat cave.”
“You’re right,” Faith said, “I hope that he was with our husbands.”
“Amen,” Ariel said, tears coming down her face.
“Hold James,” Faith said, and as Lum took the baby, she slid off the mule and put her arms around Ariel. “Your sailor is fine, honey.”
“That’s right,” Deborah added. “Gil would never risk the men and ships to a storm like this.”
“I agree,” Buck said.
“There’s Governor Ragland,” Crowe said, pointing to an approaching man.
“Thank God, you are all safe,” Ragland exclaimed as he approached them. “We’ve, Linda and I, we were worried when we couldn’t find no…ah, sign of you.” He means in the living or dead, Faith thought.
“We went to the cave,” Buck said. “Fortunately for us, Nanny packed a feast.” Ragland nodded. “It’s bad, worse than I imagined,” Buck said, looking about at the total destruction. “Cataclysmic!”
“You’re right and I fear it will get worse,” Ragland replied. “There are very few houses left standing on the entire island. Not much food, less water, and no medicine for the sick and injured.”
“Where were you?” Buck asked.
“In the house until the roof came off, and then we went into the cellar just before midnight.”
“The ships, did they get away?” Buck asked.
“The Navy ships did. Some local coasters, island traders, fishing vessels and the like waited too long. Most are lying about in pieces,” Ragland responded.
“Our houses, did any of them survive?” Lady Deborah asked Ragland.
“I’m sorry, Lady Deborah, they are all gone.”
“Our house has gone where, Mother?” Macayla asked.
“With the wind, darling.”
“Did it take our cat?”
“I’m not sure. We’ll see,” Deborah answered Macayla.
“We should have taken her, Aunt Faith took Sam.”
“We’ll look,” Deborah promised.
“I’ll help,” Ariel promised.
Looking at the mules, Governor Ragland said, “I wouldn’t let those animals out of your sight. They’ll be gone if you do.”
Catching Crowe’s look, Buck asked, “Have you seen any more of our people?”
“I have not,” Ragland admitted. “Let’s go over to see if Linda has found anything we can eat,” he suggested. “After that, I would think you and your men could go see what you can find that is useful or edible.” Then as an afterthought, he added, “or drinkable. You might see if you can arm yourself. We already have had looting.”
“Whenever there is disaster,” Buck started, but didn’t finish as in the distance a man could be seen going through the pockets of a body. “Go run him off,” Buck said, but was countermanded by Ragland.
“No need
, it might be a loved one he’s found. It’s certainly not worth injury.”
Buck could see the truth in the governor’s words but didn’t like his orders being challenged.
“I’m not hungry,” Crowe said. “Mind if I go check on things?”
“No, go ahead,” Buck replied, knowing that Crowe wanted to check on his friends.
“I’ll go wid you, if you don’t care none, Missy Faith,” Lum said.
“No, it’s probably safer if the two of you are together,” Faith said.
“Better take the mules,” Buck said. “You can carry more.”
“Aye,” Crowe replied and started off at a good pace.
“Ain’t no need to kills the mules,” Lum complained.
Even in his anguish, Crowe had to smile. Aye, he though solemnly. No need to rush at this point.
***
IT WAS AFTER DARK when Crowe and Lum returned to the site of the old Government House. Lanterns were being lit and a tent had been made of sailcloth. Both mules were carrying a heavy burden, including Chin Lee. He had been trapped in the cellar at Livi’s house. When he heard Crowe and Lum shifting debris about, he started shouting.
Hearing the man, Crowe smiled, “I don’t know what in the devils being said, but I know whose saying it. That’s Chin Lee. Hush up that heathen chatter or I’ll cut off your pigtail,” Crowe called down to the little man.
“Me no fixy you sumthin eat, long, long time, you do,” Chin Lee called back. Both men were happy to hear each other’s voice.
“Where’s Flem?” Crowe asked.
“Don’t know. He go to ship, no come back.”
Crowe only nodded, hoping his friend was in one of the squadron’s ships.
“It looks like you found a lot,” Buck said, happily surprised as he surveyed the mules.
“More than we could bring. We pulled boards back over the cellars of each house,” Crowe said.