“Both your parents are well James and so is your brother,” he paused for effect and then said “And your Sister Emily,” he paused again. “Yes yes man, what about my sister, is she well?” demanded Merriman in a fever to know what might be wrong at home. “Oh, she is very well James very well indeed.” Saville looked sheepishly at his friend and then the news came out in a rush, “I asked her to marry me James and she did me the honour of accepting me, I hope you will appro –----------” He broke off as Merriman pounded him on his back and shouted delightedly “Of course I approve Robert, I'm pleased for you both, now tell me all about it.”
“Well, I knew somehow from the time I first met her, when you invited me to your family home, that I was strongly attracted to her. I visited your home several times while you have been away James to see them all, especially Emily and I could see that she was attracted to me so I asked them if I could ask her to marry me. Your Father questioned me at some length about my family and prospects and then he agreed, but the wedding will have to wait for now. I love her dearly James and you may be sure that I will look after her to the best of my ability. ”
“I know you will Robert. Even I could see the way you looked at each other and I wondered what might happen. Anyway, I see Mr. Grahame is waiting to see me and you will have your duties to attend to so I must go. With your Colonel's approval I will send a boat for you later and you can join me and my officers aboard at dinner this evening.”
Back aboard Aphrodite and seated in the main cabin with coffee prepared by the ever-ready Peters, Merriman and Grahame discussed what had been learned from further interrogation of the French prisoners. “It was amazing what I heard James. That big sergeant was with me, looking as though he wanted to be let loose on them again and with that implied threat they couldn't answer fast enough. There was little new but one of them told me that he thought the man they called 'Le Seigneur' was from Jamaica and owned a lot of trading vessels, but what was new is that 'Le Seigneur owns three fast, well-armed ships as well to protect his own trading ships. I think it is possible that they could be privateers in their spare time. We were told last time that it was thought that the man was a Frenchman masquerading as an Englishman and if that is true he could be working as a spy. Certainly his trade ships sailing between the islands would be ideal for landing men to stir up the slaves and pass messages about British activities back to Jamaica. One of the prisoners thought 'Le Seigneur was named Edge or something like it. What do you think James?”
“It seems to me Sir that following the comment from one of our first prisoners that all was going well in Jamaica, that we must go and see what we can find out there. If I may suggest it, we could go early in the morning after we have entertained Colonel Shawcross, Major Heath-Jones and Captain Saville on board for dinner.” Merriman then told Grahame the news about his family whom Grahame had met, his sister and Saville. “That is most excellent news James, I agree, we must have a good dinner to celebrate. “Thank you Sir, I will send invitations ashore right away.
That night, the visitors arrived and introductions made although some of Merriman's officers already knew Captain Saville since the events in the Irish Sea. So, cramped though they were in Merriman's cabin, still hot although doors and windows were wide open, they enjoyed a feast of chicken, pork and all the trimmings, cheese, and wine from his own stock, all served competently by Peters and two seamen conscripted to help. After the Loyal Toast and the table had been cleared they were all settled with coffee and brandy when Merriman rapped on the table for quiet and said “Gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. Some of you have met my family and I am happy to tell you that my sister Emily has accepted Captain Saville's proposal of marriage.”
His voice was almost drowned out by the noise and commotion following that announcement; all wanted to shake Saville by the hand, pound him on the back and wish him well. As a bemused and happy Saville subsided into his seat Merriman said “ Gentlemen and friends, I would like to propose a toast to the couple and especially to Robert who is here with us, so please raise your glasses –-------- To Robert and Emily. We wish them all happiness in their future together.” More noise as all tried to talk at once and Merriman knew that the news would be round the ship in no time. “Peters, more brandy, hurry yourself man.”
And so, after a great evening the party broke up and the visitors left, some of them including Saville, somewhat fuddled from the wine and brandy but still able to thank Merriman for his hospitality. Saville, swaying gently on his feet said “James, I hope to see you again before too long but I have to leave here with some of the recruits, I don't know where to or how many will be alive in a year or so. The death rate here from fevers is enormous.”
“I know Robert, My ship's doctor has learned a lot about medicine from Helen's father who spent years in India in the tropics. Good ventilation is one thing and keep away from the locally brewed rum. I shall have the good doctor write down all he can and I'll send it to you in the morning. So goodnight and take care.”
Chapter 22 - The Traitors Threatened by Frenchman
Meanwhile back in Jamaica, Robinson and Beadle were congratulating themselves on their good fortune. Meyberg did little to have the premises cleaned up, but a newly painted sign was erected outside proudly announcing the new Legal Services. Both of them had become very useful and Robinson especially was beginning to make a name for himself as a good lawyer. Beadle was becoming used to the town and surrounding area by carrying messages for Meyberg. Both were quite well paid and becoming accustomed to their new circumstances.
One evening as they left the office a roughly dressed man stepped out of an alley and confronted them, saying in an unmistakable French accent, “Don't I know you?” “I don't think so,” replied Robinson. “Oh don't come all innocent with me, I know both of you, better than you may think. I was in Paris with M’sieur Moreau and I saw you many times bringing him messages and reporting to him. You were part of his spy ring in Ireland weren't you?”
“Yes I was,” mumbled Robinson, “We had to get away and we came here to find work.” “Well I won't denounce you, you can work for us, You speak good French and you are more presentable than you were when you arrived. Oh yes, I saw you the day you arrived here. We can make use of you both. You'll soon be able to travel freely as you did in Ireland and help us in many ways.”
“Is Moreau here in Jamaica?” asked Beadle hesitantly. “No not yet but I wouldn't be surprised if he was, or coming soon. Now be off with you for your dinner, I'll be in touch. Don't forget, you will be watched.”
As they sat over their meal, a despondent Beadle asked “What do we do now then, tell me that. We left England and jumped out of the frying pan into the fire and now it seems that we are in another frying pan, so I repeat, what do we do now?” “I cannot be sure Beadle, but from what that man said it seems we are caught between him and French spies and Meyberg and his activities which we believe to be smuggling. I think we shall have to wait and see and save as much money as we can, maybe to buy a way out of here”!
Chapter 23 - To Jamaica, Privateers Captured
The Aphrodite was making her way to Jamaica, keeping well away from the Spanish held islands of Puerto Rico and Dominica on purpose. As commented by Grahame, “We don't know if they are our allies or if they have gone over to the French, so we had best stay clear.” The voyage of about one thousand miles would take several days depending on the weather, and routine aboard was proceeding normally. Every day the men practiced sail changing, reefing and setting, gunnery and what to do for every eventuality Merriman could think of. With the wind behind them it was much cooler and he and Grahame spent long hours on deck reading their favourite Shakespearian plays, although Merriman was always alert to what was happening around him. Continually they discussed what they should do when they reached Jamaica but all they knew for certain were the names of some of the men involved in buying plantations cheaply after the owners had left.
One day as the ship
lay becalmed a lookout aloft shouted “Deck there, I can see smoke on the horizon, maybe gun smoke Sir and I think I can hear gunfire too.”
“Up you go Mr. Shrigley, tell me what you see,” said Merriman. “Nothing more Sir” yelled Shrigley in his usual squeaky voice which was beginning to break, “Just smoke and gunfire Sir but I can see a sail off to starboard, can't identify it yet Sir.” “Very good Mr. Shrigley, come down now.” He turned to the officer of the watch, the First Lieutenant Colin Laing, “Mr. Laing, beat to quarters, but don't load the guns and don't show our colours just yet.” Laing shouted the orders and the rattle of the little drummer boy's small drum was heard as the men scrambled up from below and to their usual places. Some at the guns with their officers and others on deck by the masts waiting for the order to shorten sail. “Have the men stand easy at their quarters Mr. Laing, with this lack of wind we can't investigate any further. Send Larkin aloft to join the other man, maybe his better eyes can tell us more.” After a half an hour Larkin shouted, “Deck there, the ship to starboard is closing Sir, he must have some wind over there.”
“Thank you Larkin, keep your eye on it and keep me informed.” For almost an hour nothing changed until a gentle breeze arrived and the ship began to move forward again; Larkin shouted down “Can' hear any more gunfire Sir but there is still a lot of smoke and the ship to starboard is moving closer Sir.” Merriman desperately wanted to see for himself so seizing one of the ship's telescopes he swung himself into the shrouds and climbed up to the mainmast crosstrees. He opened the glass but wanted to see more so he climbed even higher to the topmast crosstrees where a very surprised Larkin moved over to give him room to open his glass again. “Has anything changed” he asked. “No Sir, not that I can see but if you would lend me the glass Sir I might do better. Yes Sir, the smoke and gunfire must 'ave come from one ship on its own, I thought there must 'ave been two of ‘em fighting but the smoke fooled me Sir, but there is still smoke Sir and the other ship to starb'd is nearer now.”
Merriman had seen enough, he quickly regained the quarterdeck and beckoned Lieutenant Laing, the Master, the marine Lieutenant and midshipman Oakley to join him. “I don't know for certain Gentlemen but I have the feeling that we have sailed into a trap. The lookout thought there were two ships ahead, fighting but all he could see was smoke and now we can see only one ship ahead giving out a lot of smoke but no gunfire. It appears to be a small merchant vessel. As you can see the other ship to starboard is closing rapidly. Fortunately the wind is rising so we shall be able to maneuver easily. This is what I propose. First I'll have the guns loaded but keep the ports closed until we are nearer. Second, Mr. Cuthbert, I want you to steer directly to the windward side of the ship ahead and if we time it right then the other ship will be almost upon us--------------.” The crash of gunfire interrupted him. The ship astern had fired its bowchasers in warning, the balls splashing alongside.
“Very good, they have declared themselves then. They must think we are simply another trading ship. Mr. Laing, just before they reach us, run out the guns and give it a broadside. Is that all clear Gentlemen? Mr. Oakley go and present my compliments and tell the officers at the guns what is expected of them, then come back here. Mr. St James, have your men hide behind the nettings until we open fire. I don't want the sight of red coats to scare them away. We officers must hide our coats, blue uniform coats could also give warning.”
With the following wind Aphrodite rapidly closed with the ship ahead and as Merriman had predicted, the smoke ceased and a flood of men appeared on deck. They undoubtedly were Privateers. “Steady as she goes Master, Mr. Shrigley, be ready to hoist our colours when I say.” Merriman watched the gap keenly and also the ship closing rapidly astern then shouted “Mr. Andrews, prepare to open fire and Mr. Shrigley, colours aloft.” The surprise seemed to be complete, both ships tried to bear away but too late. As Aphrodite' passed between them Merriman roared “Fire.” The broadsides tore into them, inflicting terrible damage and carnage among the men on the decks while the marines joined in with their muskets. “Bring her about Mr. Laing, and we'll give them some more. With the keen and eager crew pulling and hauling at the sheets and braces and the Master's Mates on the wheel, the ship seemed to turn on the spot and then head back to the privateers and as they moved to pass between the two damaged ships Merriman could see streams of blood running down their sides before gun smoke hid the grisly sight.
As the wind blew the smoke away, Merriman shouted “Mr. Laing have our carronades fire as we come nearer and then a full broadside if you please, and have boarding parties ready.” It was enough; a white cloth was waved from one of the battered ships. “Mr. Laing, prepare to board.” In no time Aphrodite crashed alongside the second ship and Laing led his men over to it. A few minutes later he waved and shouted that all was well, the crew had surrendered and the small powder room secured. “Very good, stay there while I go and see what the other is doing.
It was immediately obvious that the ship was in a bad way. “Mr. Gorman, take a party of men over to her and take possession of her.” The 'her' was a brig, lightly laden by the way it rolled in the slight sea movement and Merriman realised that the privateers had thought his ship to be a trader and her cargo would have been transferred to the brig. Aboard the brig there was devastation, splintered timbers and dead and men. Gorman was first aboard with his marines and quickly shouted that the ship was theirs. “Mr. Gorman, I'm going to come over.” shouted Merriman. He found the remaining crew sitting on the deck with their hands on their head and guarded by the marines.
“That's all of them Sir, a sullen looking lot I think. There is nobody below and there is no powder magazine, reported Gorman. They must have started the smoke in those three iron cauldrons to fool us.” “Well done Mr. Gorman, keep the men here, I'm going below to see if there are any documents in the cabin which might help us. “I've already done that Sir” he said, grinning all over his face. He turned to a nearby seaman carrying a bag. “It's all in the bag Sir, at least all I could find.” Merriman took hold of the bag which was surprisingly heavy. “You seem to have thought of everything William, but have you checked the holds?” “Yes Sir they're empty apart from ballast but I don't think she will stay afloat for long, she's making water fast and the pumps don't work.”
“In that case Mr. Gorman, put as many as you can into your boat and take them across to the Aphrodite where I suggest you put half of the prisoners in it with marines on guard. Then send the boat back to pick up the rest of them.” “Aye-aye Sir At once” replied Gorman. That done Merriman had himself rowed over to the other ship.
“There are only a few of the crew left Sir,” reported Laing when Merriman climbed aboard to survey the situation. “We piled the bodies out of the way in case you want to say a few words over them before we tip them over the side. Regarding the ship Sir, if we can find a spare spar to fish to the stump of the mast there are enough yards, sails and ropes aboard to suit. We looked Sir, but there are no undamaged timbers aboard big enough to use as a mast.”
“I’ll float our spare mainyard over to you with some more men and Midshipman Oakley, but first, have you found any documents below.” “Yes Sir, but only a few although there is a small strong box for which there is no key. Perhaps the Captain threw it overboard but he's dead so---------” He shrugged his shoulders. “Right Colin, have it put in the boat if you will. As for the bodies,” here he hardened his heart, “I will say nothing over them. They are no better than pirates so tip them over. When your prize is ready we'll make our way to Kingston.” The thought of prize money made Laing smile. “That will come in handy Sir I'm sure.”
Back aboard the Aphrodite, Merriman arranged for some more men to go over to the ship with Midshipman Oakley, the Bos'n and the Carpenter, towing the spare spar behind. Then, he called Grahame to his cabin and over a welcome drink they discussed what had occurred. The bag full of papers yielded little of interest, bills of lading, crew roster and lists of money spent. “I t
hink all this belonged to the original captain Sir, from before the privateers took her,” surmised Merriman, but here is one item of interest, a ship's manifest with the heading 'Egerton, General Trader.' That will give us a reason to visit this Egerton don't you think?” “You are right James, it will, so let us look at the stuff from the second ship. None of them have names I suppose?” “No Sir, all painted out, but from these papers, the brig seems to be The Jamaican Traveler.”
The few papers from the other ship revealed nothing of interest so their attention turned to the small strongbox. The box was very heavy and the size of the keyhole indicated that a big key had been used. “It will take a skilled locksmith to open that James,” said Grahame, “It will have to wait until we get to Kingston.” As they sat gazing glumly at the box they heard the thump of a boat alongside and moments later there came a knock on the cabin door. “Come in,” said Merriman, and an excited Midshipman Oakley appeared. “Mr. Laing's compliments Sir, and he found this key hidden in the cabin,” he said excitedly. “Excellent Mr. Oakley now wait there and we'll see if it fits this lock.” It did, and Merriman flung the lid open. Inside there were more papers and another box taking up most of the space.
They looked at it in silence, with young Oakley straining to see what he could from behind his betters. “Thank you Mr. Oakley, go back to Lieutenant Laing, present my compliments and thanks and tell him that the key does fit,” said Merriman with a smile. A sudden shout of “She's going,” caused them to hurry up on deck in time to see the brig with its stem already under water, slide forward and disappear with only a great burst of bubbles and a ring of corpses to mark the spot.
The Threat in the West Indies (The Merriman Chronicles Book 4) Page 10