by Michael Aye
"You can't stay here, Faith, your uncle, what will he do when he returns?"
Looking very determined Faith said, "Live Oak is mine. My father made this place what it is and I intend to keep it. My father had influential friends in Savannah. I will go there. They will help me, I'm sure.
Nanny and Uncle Lum…" Faith stopped in mid sentence. "Take Uncle Lum with you Gabe."
"But missy," Lum broke in.
"No, you can't stay. You kill ed a white man and they'd hang you for sure. It wouldn't matter why you did it. Sooner or later they'd get you alone and string you up."
"My place is with you, Miss Faith," Lum pleaded.
With tears in her eyes, Faith placed her hands on Lum's face and kissed his cheek. "You've always watched out for me ain't you, Uncle Lum?"
"Yessum."
"You always said you'd do anything for me didn't you?"
"Yessum."
"Then go and look after my man til this war is over.
God knows when that will be."
"I will, Miss Faith, and I's gona bring him back to you when this heah wars over. No matter how long dat be."
Sensing the need for the two to be alone, Dagan with Lum in tow headed toward the boat. Gabe trying to hold his emotions in check, looked at Faith.
"I will always love you."
"And I you," Faith replied as Gabe embraced her.
In doing so, he felt something hard against his chest.
The ruby. They had overlooked it when he had been taken prisoner. He took it out and placed it in Faith's hand, "You have my heart in your hand, to hold til I return."
Taking the ruby, Faith grasped it tight in her fist, and then said, "I'll not let it go."
Gabe kissed her then turned and made his way to the boat, choking back his emotions once more. Nanny had been standing back, watching. She walked up and put a shawl over Faith's shoulders.
"Yo mama would skin you alive child, being out heah in this night air half-naked as you is." Faith still held the ruby in her hand and could feel the heat it exuded. Then quietly she said, "There goes the man I love, Nanny."
"Mine too, child, mine too."
PART THREE
The Prize
Yonder ships a privateer
With men and guns a plenty
What say you my brave men
Shall we take this enemy
Reduce al sail, run out the guns
Put one across her bow
Yonder ship will be our prize
Before the quarter hour
… Michael Aye
Chapter One
Lum proved his value immediately in guiding the boat into the channel through the marsh and into and down Broad River. As quietly and quickly as possible they went past Port Royal then out into the bay. The tide had been on the ebb as Caleb had warned. The boat Jubal and Kawliga commandeered was the Lucky Lady, a yawl, a fishing boat of twenty-five feet in length and six feet in width. It had two masts, a main mast and a small mizzen mast which was located right on the transom. It also was equipped for four sets of oars. The boat was overcrowded. Thirteen people with a few supplies.
However, Gabe wished for one more. Without thinking, he clutched the leather bag around his neck-the empty bag. He went to remove it from around his neck but stopped. He would keep it there. The bag would remain close to his heart. Like his heart…empty until…until.
"Better come a point or two larboard," Dagan cal ed. He was in the bow and Gabe sat at the tiller.
Casting aside his personal sorrow, Gabe cal ed forward, "Let's set the sails and see how she does. We may have to rearrange either the supplies or where people are sitting."
The girls were huddled together. Little thought had been given to how they were dressed when they were
freed and herded down the boardwalk and into the boat. The girls were shivering from the cool damp night air. The men had given what they could in the way of clothing but some of the girls had been almost naked, so even with the clothing a lot of skin was still exposed to the elements and the men's eyes.
Especial y Jubal, who was feasting his eyes. Gabe had caught him staring more than once, but what did you say to a young boy. Gabe smiled to himself, thinking of the bent up humours the boy must be suffering from.
The girls who had been silent when they first escaped had started to talk. It was amazing to Gabe as he listened to the chatter that most of them were from the Tidewater area in Virginia but did not know each other. One was a strawberry blonde from Boston and appeared to be whiter, almost pale in skin color. The girls al seemed to come from fairly well to do Colonial families but had nothing else in common, except each had been sexual y abused by Adam Montique. He seemed to enjoy acting out different scenarios while Hindley would cheer him on and on occasion take part himself.
The strawberry blonde girl was named Erin. She had been singled out by Hindley and had suffered more abuse than the others. Dagan seemed to sense her need and talked quietly with the girl who sobbed at times.
Gabe knew if anyone could help her it was Dagan.
The one thing Gabe found strange was that with al the women on board Caleb seemed distant. General y, Caleb would have been showing an interest and making
himself as irresistible as possible. Was he showing the girls respect because of their recent ordeal? Was he having pain from the recent snake bite? Something was different.
Little did Gabe know Caleb's mind was on a woman, but not one of these. But one that was tucked away in Virginia. One named Kitty.
"Sail ho!" Dagan cal ed out. Half dozing at the tiller, Gabe was instantly alert.
"Where?"
"Two points off the starboard bow."
Without rocking the boat, Gabe stood up. He couldn't see a thing. The sun was coming up and that made it even more difficult. "You sure?"
For an answer Dagan just gave him a look. Dumb question, Gabe thought. It had been three nights and two days since they'd made their escape. This was the dawn of the third day. They had discussed putting in at Charlestown but it was agreed it would be safer for Gabe and Dagan to sail on toward Norfolk.
Hopeful y, they would meet up with Markham and the Swan. He was to have cruised these waters hoping for a rendezvous, but that would be a chance meeting only. The likelihood that the sail was British was good, but it could just as well be a Colonial ship.
However, after three days and nights in a small boat the wear on the girls was starting to show. The fair-skinned Erin in particular was showing the effect of
constant exposure to the sun and wind. If a meeting with a ship had not occurred by mid-day Gabe had already decided to put ashore. The winds had been light and at times almost nonexistent, but Gabe knew they had to have made enough progress to be off the coast of North Carolina.
After another fifteen minutes Dagan cal ed back,
"She's British and looks like a mail packet or dispatch ship."
Not wanting to be missed, Gabe had Rud fire off three shots. That should wake-up the buggers, he thought.
However, there had been no cause for concern.
The lookout on the mail packet, Parrot, had already cal ed down his sighting, "Sail ho! Dead ahead, boat load of naked women."
***
Lieutenant Farnsworth Dean of HMS Parrot was most accommodating, as was his only other officer and the entire ship's crew. It was not everyday you picked up a boat load of naked, well, near naked women. The lifetime dream of al sailors.
Dean listened intently as Gabe related his story.
When the Swan was mentioned, Dean related they had sighted Swan and talked with her commander two days ago. So they had in fact been keeping a sharp lookout.
Dean surprised Gabe by telling him he had been a midshipman under then Captain Gilbert Anthony on
HMS Recourse, and recounted their battle with Algerian pirates, "It was a hot time we had of it that day."
"Mr. Buck made me promise to take care, so he wouldn't have to send me home in halves. Ha! Ha!
I hear he's a post captain now and Captain Anthony has raised his flag," Dean continued.
"Aye," Gabe said, realizing how much he missed his brother and his own ship, the SeaWolf. How he longed to be back in his cabin. He needed the ship to take his mind off Faith. It appeared Dagan's lady luck had finally changed. Not only changed but played a cruel trick as far as Gabe was concerned. He couldn't come to grips with the many thoughts that were running through his head. He could resign his commission and maybe that would change her mind. But no, he couldn't do that. He couldn't dishonor Gil or his father, no matter what.
Dean, seeing Gabe was lost in thought excused himself to give Gabe some much needed time alone.
Gabe didn't even realize Dean had gone on deck. It was the sound of music that brought Gabe out of his deep thought. A soft sound, a pleasant but a mournful sound.
As Gabe stood up to investigate the noise, he banged his head on an overhead beam. "Damn," he cried aloud without thinking. The lick caused tears to come to his eyes.
Dagan came in just as the incident happened,
"Clear your thoughts did you?"
"More like muddled them for good I'm thinking," Gabe replied still rubbing his head. "What's that sound?"
"It's Lum playing a lotz."
"Damned if he didn't pick a sad tune."
"To fit your mood?"
"Well, it doesn't miss it far. Dagan…I don't know what to do. There she was, as good as mine, happy, then her mood changed and like quicksilver she was gone. Can you guess why, Dagan? I've never asked for anything for me, but tell me…will she be there Dagan?
Will she be there when this is over?" Dagan sensed the pain in his nephew, knew he needed something to hold on to but he couldn't bring himself to make a promise that this war could change.
"I'll think on it Gabe, I don't have a true feeling right now, but I do know if the love is true, true like the Admiral's and Maria's, then only death can come between you."
After standing still a long silent moment, Gabe asked, "What's a lotz?"
Unable to hide his smile Dagan explained, "A lotz is a type of flute. Lum made it himself out of boxwood.
He said the first one he made was out of river reeds but this one's a touch more elaborate."
"It's a pretty sound, Dagan, but that was definitely a sad tune."
Dagan then looked directly at Gabe, "Could be Lum is missing someone too."
***
"Sail ho, bearing down amidships to the starboard, looks like the Swan, sir."
Dean had a tight ship and a sharp, experienced lookout; he cal ed down his sighting without having to be prompted for more information.
Hearing the sighting excited Gabe. Markham. He had missed his friend. The two had been very close ever since they had been midshipmen together.
It took another turn of the glass before Swan was alongside Parrot. Dean had bent on the signal "missing flock returned" so Markham had himself rowed over to Parrot. After much good-natured ribbing and back slapping Markham was introduced to the rest of the missing flock.
"Lieutenant Frances Markham, ladies, Captain of HMS Swan." As the girls were introduced, now more appropriately attired, Gabe caught Markham staring at Erin.
Well, he ain't dead, he thought, still not understanding the change in Caleb and his mannerisms where the women were concerned. Everyone made a big deal out of Kawliga and Jubal. Rud grunted a lot but wasn't that talkative. Lum was silent and seemed nervous about the attention he was being paid. Gabe made up his mind to talk with Lum first chance he had when the two could be alone.
It was decided Markham would take al of Gabe's party aboard Swan and head toward Nova Scotia and Lord Anthony. Parrot would return southward to Saint Augustine and then to the West Indies.
It was a happy and cheerful Mr. Davy that greeted Gabe, Dagan, Caleb and the rest of the group as they came aboard Swan. Once everything had been stowed Davy got the ship underway.
"Not a sniffling little snit anymore, is he?" Markham asked his friend.
"Nay," Gabe answered, "He's always been a brave one. He'll go far if he's not kill ed."
"Rud, where can we put you ashore?" Gabe and Markham had been discussing their human cargo. It didn't make sense to take them al the way to Nova Scotia. Therefore Rud was cal ed in for advice.
"Where are we now?" the soldier asked.
"Close to North Carolina," Markham replied.
"I'd be obliged if you could drop me off at Wilmington," Rud said. "I got kin there and after a visit I'll mosey on back down to Colonel Marion. You two share the same name," Rud said speaking to Markham.
"Him being Francis Marion and you being Frances Markham. Course you don't look alike, him being from South Carolina and you being a Britisher and such." Gabe could barely control his smile as a somewhat taken aback Frances Markham agreed to put a boat ashore off Wilmington circumstances permitting.
After Rud stood to leave he addressed Gabe, "If al Britishers were like you and Dagan I doubt we'd be warring. I'm obliged to have met you and was glad to have helped sprung you from your fix. Don't worry about your little lady; we'll keep our ears and eyes out for her. we'll also put out the word on Montique.
Maybe Colonel Marion will pay him a personal visit."
***
A stiff breeze was blowing when Gabe made his way on deck at dawn. Seeing him, Mr. Harrel, Swan's first lieutenant, nudged his captain.
Markham, looking at Gabe, said, "I thought you might ’sleep in' this morning."
"No," Gabe replied. "Old habits die hard." Instantly Markham knew Gabe longed for his ship.
Was it always so? A woman, a ship, but always a longing.
"The master says the winds will die some at first light. He expects a sunny day but relates it will get colder as we continue northward."
"Not like those warm days at Antigua is it, my friend?" Gabe asked.
"Nay, but that's in the past, Gabe, it's best to think on today."
At six bel s the bosun piped up hammocks. After the men rolled their hammocks, they were sent to wash and scrub the weather decks with holystones, then flog
them dry. Most of the men had a substantial appetite by the time the cook and his mates had the gal ey fires lit and breakfast was piped.
Markham had never been a fast eater and felt the men should have time to enjoy their meals so he allowed one glass for breakfast. Thirty minutes was more than enough time for most men to eat their oatmeal gruel and still have time for a chew or bowl of tobacco.
***
"Sail ho! Two sails off the larboard beam."
"Damn early for company is it not, Mr. Davy?"
"Aye, Mr. Harrel, that it is. Should I inform the captain, sir?"
"I'm sure he heard the hail, but we'll follow protocol. My compliments to the captain and there's two strange sails off the larboard beam."
"No need, Mr. Harrel, I'm here."
"Aye, sir."
"Anything further?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Mr. Davy, be so kind as to take a glass aloft. It appears our man aloft doesn't have as good a set of peepers as Quinn did yesterday," Markham ordered.
"Aye, sir. I'll report right away," Davy replied, and then clambered up the shrouds, shunning the lubbers hole as he gained the lookout's platform.
"Deck there," Davy shouted. "Two schooners, sir."
"He didn't waste any time, did he?" Lieutenant Harrel commented.
"Experience, Mr. Harrel, experience. I trained,
’ere…Lieutenant Anthony and I trained that boy ourselves," Markham corrected himself as he noticed Gabe's gaze upon him.
"Deck there," Davy cal ed down again, "Appears to be two Colonials, sir."
"Well, that puts paid in putting a boat ashore," Markham replied.
However, something Rud had said gave Gabe something to consider. But this was Markham 's ship, not his, so they'd have to discuss it.
"Captain Markham?"
The official use of his title caused Markham to tu
rn toward his friend, "Yes?"
"May I have a word with you, please?"
"Now?
"Aye, sir."
"Very well. Mr. Harrel, keep a close look out." Markham ordered as he strode aft to confer with Gabe.
"Damme sir, but have you been in the sun too long?
Has your brain been completely fried?" Markham asked after hearing Gabe's plan.
" Listen, Frances, it's a way to get our passengers ashore and put out the word on Montique at the same time."
"Playing the devil's advocate," Markham asked,
"What makes you so sure they'll act as you suppose?"
"Come on, Frances, wouldn't you at least initially honor a flag of truce?"
"Gabe, how is it I know you're scheming when you use my first name?"
"I don't know."
"Because you do it every time. Sure as hell when there's a chance to end up arsehole over elbows you always use Frances. Come on Frances, there's nothing to it Frances. Well, let me tell you something, Mr. Gabriel Anthony, if there's a court martial and we wind up on the beach you have just acquired another mouth to feed."
Surprised, Gabe exclaimed, "You'll do it? That's my Frances." To which Markham rolled his eyes and shook his head and groaned, "Ohh…h"
Back on deck, Markham cal ed Mr. Harrel, " Bend on a flag of truce. Mr. Davy, get ready to launch a long boat. Lieutenant Anthony is going on a rowing expedition."
Both Harrel and Davy looked shocked, but both turned to do their bidding without question. Markham then turned to the bosun, "Reduce sail." Mr. Harrel then reported, "Flag on truce bent on as ordered, sir."
"Very well, Mr. Harrel, now have one of the starboard cannons fired. Unshotted, Mr. Harrel, without shot."
By the time the cannon had been fired hoping to attract attention to the flag of truce, Gabe and Rud were getting into the longboat with Erin in company.
As the three made their way from the ship, Markham felt a sense of regret. Erin as well as the rest of the ladies had dined with him and Gabe, but for some reason he hated to see that one go.