He nodded to Questy, “Bring down the colors Mister Questy and lower the remaining boats.”
The man acknowledged and ran to the main mast only to see flames licking at the British flag. He looked back to see the captain remove his jacket and shoes. Questy lowered the smoking flag and rolled it up when he heard the captain’s voice over the hailer shout, “Abandon ship!”
Suddenly all around him sailors were shouting as they jumped over the side, “Abandon ship!” The remaining unburned boats were being lowered as he removed his boots and jacket, wrapped the flag around his waist and jumped into the cool water with his shipmates. The captain was the last to jump.
The seamen aboard the dirty, decrepit scow of a ship gave a roar of joyous conquest as they headed toward them. The British seamen quickly swam and rowed away from the burning ship as they feared an explosion from her powder room. The entire encounter took less the twenty minutes.
Daniel was slapping Rocky on his back as he celebrated their victory over the British man-o-war.
Rocky said as he grinned at his partner, “The men can stop turning the pole and bring her in close. Take no one aboard.”
Daniel nodded and gave the order. Their ship slowed and drifted next to the two long boats. Both were loaded with men while many others clung to the boats sides.
Rocky pulled up next to the boat with the captain in it.
“Captain Suckling, I shall notify the authorities that your ship sank and to set up a rescue mission before nightfall.”
The captain was furious and shouted, “You barbarian! I shall hunt you down like the dogs you are, and have you all hung from my yardarm.”
Daniel laughed and called back, “Ach, Capt’n, I don’t see how ya kin do that, fer ya have no ship to be hangin’ fine fellas like us on. An’ I see ya took the two boats fer ya officers an’ yerself, ya selfish lout.” He bellowed a warning as they left, “An’ mind the sharks, Capt’n.”
The largest boat had more officers and top ranks in them, while the ocean was full of men treading water. An officer in one boat waved to get Rocky’s attention.
“Sir,” the young officer said as he stood in the boat, “this young officer in training, is wet and he be prone ta get sick. Would ya be so kind as ta take him ta shore, warm and dry?”
Edward looked at Rocky and said in a low voice, “One sick man can’t hurt us Rocky, an’ I’ll see ta’ him myself.” Rocky nodded to Edward who tossed the young man a rope that he tied around his waist. They hauled him aboard.
He removed the rope and stood wet and shivering in front of Rocky. He was a thin blond-haired boy of about fourteen years of age. He saluted and said, “S-S-Sir, I am in your debt. I-I-“ his eyes rolled and he sagged as Edward caught him.
“Let me take him below, Captain,” he said, carrying the boy away.
Rocky called to his men, “Toss them the wood, men.” A look of surprise came upon the crew’s faces, as they realized the use of the wood the captain had them cut and store aboard. They took the three-foot lengths of logs and tossed them overboard.
Rocky called down to the swimming men: “Here are logs to keep you men afloat until a ship comes out to you.” He watched as the sailors swam to the floating logs and clung to them, and then continued, “Meanwhile I have some names of men I’m looking for. When I name you, please call out.”
He read the list of nine names and they were pulled aboard. They were given coffee or tea and in some cases, rum. Rocky made sure they were given warm dry clothes, and then he gathered them on the weather deck as the ship made its best speed toward the shore.
“You may wonder why we picked you gentlemen out of the ocean and not the others,” he said. “It’s simple. We heard that you were all pressed men and needed to be home with your families. We will be going to America after we drop off whoever wants to go back to England. Should anyone wish, they may accompany us across the Atlantic.” He paused to let the statement sink in and continued, “Mind you, if you go back you may be impressed again, and we will not be around to rescue you a second time. You have about two hours to think about it before we make port.”
It was late in the afternoon when they tied the New York to the dock. Daniel went to a nearby navy ship and reported seeing a ship sinking just offshore. “I think it may be a navy boat, sir,” he said to the young lieutenant on the dock. “I saw lots of blue jackets on them. I couldn’t take any aboard ‘cause there’s a sickness aboard me boat.”
The officer avoided talking any more to him and quickly moved away, thanking him from afar as he started a rescue mission.
Back on board, Rocky went down to see the young British navy officer-in-training. He smiled at the sight of him in his dry uniform, which seemed much too big for him.
“Sir,” Rocky said, “I must inform you that I cannot release you until we leave the dock, for I fear you would have the navy give chase to me and my men.”
The boy smiled and said, “Captain, I do understand your predicament; however, as a gentleman, I give you my word that I shall not raise alarm of your true identity until the sun rises tomorrow morn.”
“You suggest I take your word, sir?” Rocky thought for a moment then said, “As a gentleman I’m sure your word is good, therefore, I shall release you now.”
The boy smiled and offered his hand. “You fought well, Captain. Certainly your use of the bow was unexpected and has taught me a lesson. I shall always expect the unexpected when at sea. So, in that, I regard you as a teacher, and I the one who learned a great lesson. I shall be a better captain someday, thanks to being prepared to do the unexpected.” They shook hands and he continued, “Midshipman Horatio Nelson, always at your service, Captain, and the service of England.”
Rocky’s jaw dropped and he smiled as he shook the hand of the great future British admiral. “Remember, Mr. Nelson,” he said, “England expects every man to do his duty.”
Nelson returned the smile and said, “Well said, sir, well said. I shall always remember that.”
Later Rocky pulled the pressed men aside and gave them money to get them home. They were thankful and as they left, Rocky stopped John Elsey and asked, “What plans do you have, sir? Back to Surrey?”
Ronald Reagan’s great-great-grandfather answered, “Just to get my wife, friend. Then it’s off to Ireland and away from the press gangs, to raise me family in peace.”
As they were about to leave the ship, the newly freed men lined up and shouted three hurrahs for Rocky and the New York crew.
Then off to the history books, thought Rocky, as he watched them go down the gangplank.
Daniel took the ship back to Scotland and cleaned her up, adding the cannons he retrieved from the shallow water he had dropped them in. Rocky paid off the archers, and the crew said farewell to their families as they prepared to head to America.
Rocky told Daniel that if he took him back to New York, he’d put up the money to keep the crew in food and drink, until Daniel could advertise for cargo for the return trip to England. The deal was made and they shipped out.
The New York sailed flawlessly, and the trip to America took four weeks and two days. Rocky, Daniel and Edward were inseparable during the entire trip. They met no warships on the way and Daniel promised to use the propeller, only to escape, should they meet one. They entered New York harbor at the foot of Maiden Lane at eleven on the morning of September 2, 1772.
Daniel was on deck as they tied up and Rocky smiled at the Scotsman.
“Daniel, you’re the world’s best captain and a true friend. I’m proud to have sailed with you and your great crew.”
The big man was on the verge of tears as he gave Rocky a bear hug.
“Ach, Capt’n Rocky, I may be the ship’s captain, but, ya truly be the admiral. I’m gonna’ be missin’ ya, for real, an’ so’s me crew.” He gave him a friendly push, “Now, away wi’ ya’, Capt’n, I’ve matters ta attend ta.”
Edward picked up Rocky’s gear and carried it down the gangplank. A sque
al from a bagpipe started up from the ship, and the entire crew broke into singing, “Auld Lang Syne.” Rocky turned to see the sailors all turned out on the main deck dressed in their kilts, waving their hats as they sang the traditional Scottish song. He bowed to them as he waved his hat.
Once across the cobblestone street of the dockside, Edward put Rocky’s parcel down. They looked at each other, knowing they’d never see each other again.
Edward said with deep emotion, “Thank you, my friend. I came aboard the ship as an apothecary, and now, thanks to you, have a berth aboard the New York and well on my way to seeing my dreams of being a surgeon come true.”
Rocky smiled at his friend and said, “Wrong, Edward, you did it yourself. I just happened along.” Edward shook his hand and Rocky grabbed him and gave him the same kind of bear hug Daniel had delivered earlier.
“Edward, take care of yourself and don’t get yourself impressed.” He stood back and looked at him. “You are needed in America as a surgeon, so learn well, and return home.”
“Will I see you again, Rocky?”
He shook his head. “No, Edward, I think not. I’m off on a long trip.”
Edward picked up Rocky’s parcel and handed it to him as he said, “Rocky Perna, rather than changing into a man-of-the-world after being the helpless gentleman, I do believe you were always, the man-of-the-world, pretending to be the helpless gentleman.”
Rocky laughed out loud. “Edward Schure, you take care, and have a great and fruitful life.” He turned and left as Edward Schure watched him go up Maiden Lane and disappear into the early lunch crowd.
Rocky thought about hiring a wagon to take him back to the spot where the time door was, but decided to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the rest of his stay in old New York. The sun was up and it was warm as he walked slowly back to the door that would be his opening to 2011. He wanted to see as much as he could of this great time in history. The newest time traveler smiled as he watched the people going about the everyday business of making a living, as they would do in his time. It’s the same here as it is in my time, he thought, people just want to work, be happy and raise their families in peace.
He arrived at the small clump of trees that, in the future, would be the garden of The 1800 Club. He sat down and leaned against a tree. If anyone were watching, it would look as if he was a tired gentleman taking a rest in the shade of some trees.
He opened the hairbrush text machine and typed in, “BILL, I’M BACK AND READY FOR YOU TO OPEN THE DOOR. IT’S SEPT. 2, 1772, AT 1:55 PM. ROCKY.”
Two minutes later he saw a finger wave from seemingly out of thin air, and he walked the few steps toward it. He put his hand out, and it disappeared into nothingness. He followed his own hand and found himself in the walled staircase of The 1800 Club with Bill, who quickly closed and locked the door. A happy Bill threw his arm around Rocky and took his parcel as they went up the stairs.
DATELINE: 2011 PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY
Twenty minutes later they were having strong coffee and puffing on cigars as they sat in Bill’s den.
“I’m glad it worked out well, Rocky,” he said. “Is there anything you need right now?”
“I need a long, hot bath, and a big pasta dinner with a bottle of red wine.”
Bill started to get up, as he said, “I can have Matt whip up some . . .”
Rocky stopped him. “No, thanks anyway, Bill. I just want to go down to Little Italy and sink slowly back into 2011 and relax.”
Bill nodded his understanding and said; “I always find it best to get a good night’s sleep before I know I’m really back. I suggest you do the same. In a day or two maybe you can come by and debrief for us. Good with you?”
“Great with me,” Rocky said, standing and stretching. “I’m just going to go downstairs and change. I’ll call you tomorrow . . . and, once again Bill thanks. It was a fantastic trip.”
It took Rocky three days to get back to where he was before the mission. More than once, he started speaking as a mid-1700s gentleman. He realized that it was the abrupt end of the period he was in, which was bothering him. One day he was aboard a wooden sailing vessel with rough-cut men climbing up to work the sails, and the next he was walking down Fifth Avenue in New York saying excuse me to strangers if they bumped into him.
I’m back, he thought, but which time is the better? The 1770s had their pretentious people, but so do we. He realized he missed some of the friends he had made back then. Closure, he thought, as he sat in the cabin of his sailboat, I need closure.
He grabbed his laptop and typed into a Google page, “Daniel McKillop, Scotland, 1772.”
The response was almost immediate.
“Daniel McKillop.
Importer of All Goods.
In 1772, Daniel McKillop started an import/export company. His claim to fame was his promise to take cargo across the Atlantic Ocean faster than any other sailing ship of the day. He consistently arrived in Europe or America, days before any other boat that left at the same time. The story was that, even though his ship, the New York, left port along with others at the same time, after dark it seemed to disappear. Did McKillop stumble upon another means of powering his sailing ship? No one ever found out, as his crew of dedicated Scotsmen never spoke of it. All that is known is that his company was the place to go to for delivering one’s goods ahead of the competition. He built a small empire, and he and his wife Rita became great-grandparents who passed the company down through the ages.”
Rocky sat back and laughed out loud. “Aha! Dan, ya ol’ sod, ya did good. I’m goin’ ta tip one back fir ya today, laddie.”
Rocky then typed in “Doctor Edward Schure, Scotland, 1772.”
The screen said, “No Match.”
He typed in “Apothecary Edward Schure, Scotland 1772.”
Once again, “No match.”
Then he typed, “Surgeon Edward Schure, Scotland 1772.”
At that, the computer came alive with text.
“Doctor Edward C. Schure
Ship’s Surgeon, Edward C. Schure.
Went to Scotland from America in the early 1700s and made a name for himself on Scottish and, later, American sailing vessels. He often told of learning his profession at sea, while on-the-job. He started his practice aboard the New York, a sailing ship owned by the famous Scottish entrepreneur, Daniel McKillop. In 1783 Schure opened a small medical office on New York’s Long Island, the Perna Medical Practice. He named the practice after a friend, Mr. Rocky Perna, and it flourished. Descendants of Edward C. Schure are still active in the medical field in New York.”
Wow! Thought Rocky as he reached for the telephone, dialed directory assistance and after a few tries got the telephone number and address of Edward C. Schure, DDS, Long Beach, New York.
Unable to wait, Rocky was in his car in minutes, driving to Long Beach Island, just past Coney Island and the Rockaway’s. He arrived at the dentist’s office at three o’clock.
When he opened the door to the waiting room, a bell sounded alerting the doctor that he had a patient. Rocky heard a voice say from his office, “Bit early, John, aren’t you?”
Rocky answered, “Not John, Doctor Schure, I’m a new patient.”
The doctor walked into the waiting room drying his hands.
Rocky was transfixed. Lord! He is Edward’s double! he thought, as the doctor approached. He was in his early sixties but still looked like his great-great-grandfather of 1772.
Rocky offered his hand and said, “Doctor, I was passing and saw your sign outside. I’m thinking of buying a house down here, and I’ll need a new dentist, so I thought I’d introduce myself. Rocky Perna.”
Schure looked at him, and as they shook hands, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Rocky Perna? That name means something to my family, Mr. Perna. It was the name my great-great-grandfather gave to his first practice, way back in the late-1700s. I’d be only too happy to be your dentist.”
Rocky smiled and answer
ed, “It’s an old name, Doctor.” He paused and said, “I bet it took a lot to start a business here in the 1700s. Your great-great-grandfather must have been an interesting man.”
The doctor nodded. “From the stories handed down, he was. And he loved the sea. That’s why he settled here in Long Island, right by the ocean. Back then he treated only sailors and people who lived by the ocean. It was a very small community, but it expanded and he stayed. They say he could sit for hours by the fireplace, telling his grandchildren stories of when he was on the old sailing ships.”
He smiled as he remembered and continued, “As I heard from my grandparents, his good friend Rocky Perna was a favorite topic of his. Evidently they fought together against English warships. Must have been exciting, don’t you think, Mr. Perna?”
Rocky smiled as though he was seeing his friend Edward again.
“It certainly was, Edward, it certainly was.”
Shortly after their meeting, Rocky drove back home feeling as though he had made a full circle. He was pleased, and thought as he looked at the Atlantic Ocean go by his open window, Here’s to you Edward Schure and Daniel McKillop. I know you two are out there somewhere, and maybe I’ll go back and see you both someday. Maybe we can take a sail and have a sip of ale together again.
He rolled up the windows, as the wind seemed to bring tears to his eyes.
That same day, Bill Scott and Matt got out of a taxicab at Fifty-Second Street and Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan. They entered a large store with a script type on the glass stating that it was, Fabulous Antique Treasure Store. A tall dark-haired woman greeted them.
“Good day, gentlemen. May I help you?”
Bill smiled as he saw an 1882 coffee table. He pointed at it and said, “Good-day to you too, Ma’am. Yes, I’d like to purchase that coffee table.”
She was caught off guard and stammered, “Er . . . yes, this table. Well, do you want to know the price?” She started to look for the ticket that was attached to the underside, “Just let me find . . .”
Time Travel Adventures of the 1800 Club. Book III Page 17