Not One Shred of Decency

by Bob Brown

  Someone in the blackness, “Cluck, cluck, cluck . . .” Others join in as Ganse climbed the ladder, but he decided he could never single out the individuals for punishment and it would be best to ignore their taunts.

  Perry caught up with Ganse, “Aren’t you going to punish the men making that noise?”

  “Of course I would, if I knew who was doing it.”

  “It was Small. And I bet he is the one Rogers shot at, too.”

  “Small, how do you know?”

  “Well, it sounded like him. Garty thinks so, too.”

  “That’s not much to go on.”

  “Even if you punish the wrong one, someone has to be flogged to set an example.”

  Ganse paused. It could have been Small, it did sound like his voice, but he must concentrate on the mutiny plans and not be distracted with trivial things. He told Perry, “Small’s name is on Spencer’s list. I’ll interrogate him first in the morning.”

  “By morning, they’ll think they’ve got away with . . .”

  “You’ll be there with me. You can ask any questions you want to.”

  Ganse walked on, leaving Perry, who mumbled, “Damn!”

  **********

  Ganse reported to Mackenzie before the morning mess that they had not found any traces of blood or other clues as to the intruder’s identity.

  “And no gunshot wounds?”

  “No sir.”

  Expressionless, Mackenzie looked Ganse in the eyes for many uncomfortable seconds and said nothing.

  After a slight shoulder spasm, Ganse fidgeted with his hands and finally pleaded meekly, “It was dark and crowded, we searched as best we could.”

  “Hmmhuh,” and Mackenzie continued to look Ganse in the eyes.

  Ganse took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. “After mess, Perry and I will start interrogating the men on Spencer’s ‘Certain’ list. Do you wish to attend?”

  Mackenzie leaned back and pucker smiled. “I may drop in occasionally. Have Wales record the testimony. Keep me informed about what you find out.”

  **********

  Sounds were often heard through the single plank bulkhead that separated the wardroom and the berth deck. For this reason, Ganse and Perry pulled the long table in the wardroom as far aft and away from the bulkhead as they could. Good ears might still pick up some of the conversation during the interrogation. Garty stood at the ladder leading to the spar deck to guard against interruptions.

  Ganse sent Wales topside to summon Small. The agile Small bounded down the ladder and landed with a triumphant smile. He appeared to be in a jovial mood, or wanted them to think he was. Wales whispered in Ganse’s ear that on the way back with Small, Cromwell had said something to Small, but he did not catch what it was.

  Small stood on the opposite side of the table and saluted. He appeared cocky but Ganse could not decide whether it was a salute of respect or disrespect.

  “What did Cromwell just say to you, Small?”

  “Nothing, sir.”

  “You were being observed. He said something to you. What was it?”

  “He just asked why I was being called to report to you, that’s all.”

  Ganse decided to drop that inquiry and proceeded, “Mr. Spencer has been arrested for plotting a mutiny. He had in his possession a list of shipmates who are involved with him. Your name is on that list. How do you explain that?”

  “I don’t know how that could be because I don’t know anything about any mutiny plans.”

  “Why do you think your name was on that list.”

  “I can’t explain that, sir.”

  “We have seen you talk many times with Spencer and Cromwell. Was mutiny discussed at any time with those two men?”

  Small smiled, “We talked of many things, pirates and slavers may have come up a few times, but we never planned any mutiny.”

  “Did you not plan with Spencer, Cromwell, and others to murder all the officers of the Somers and assume command of this vessel?”

  With a gesture of his hands Small gave a pained expression. “Your question cuts to the bone, sir. I could never do anything so evil as that.” He instantly restored his previous smile. Obviously the pain of cutting to the bone passed quickly.

  Perry asked, “Were you trying to pass a weapon to Spencer when you crawled up on deck last night?”

  Small stiffened and pulled his chin in indignantly, “Me on deck? Absolutely not, Mr. Perry. I wasn’t on deck last night. I was asleep when Mr. Rogers shot at something.”

  “It wasn’t something, it was someone  you. You were trying to give Spencer a message or a weapon?”

  “I’m heartsick that you think so poorly of me, Mr. Perry. I’m not guilty of any skull drudgery.”

  “Why then, did you make that chicken noise in the berth deck last night?”

  “On the contrary, Mr. Perry, I tried to shush my mates  it showed such disrespect for our honorable officers. Anywise, I can’t make chicken noises.” He smiled broadly.

  “I’ve heard you imitate many noises, and extremely well, I might add.”

  “I confess, I’m good at some honorable imitations, but I’d never stoop to a chicken noise.”

  Perry motioned Ganse to one corner to talk privately. “A severe flogging for making that noise will erase that silly grin and set an example for all the crew. Also, Cromwell will have to administer the flogging and we’d find out how hard he can be on one of his friends.”

  “We don’t have enough proof. I consider the noise incident over with. Our main task is to learn more about the mutiny plans.”

  “With due respect, Ganse, our lash must sting or every one of these men will lie ‘til kingdom come. We won’t learn a thing about the mutiny.”

  “We’ll be hard enough at the right time, Perry. Who should we call next?”

  “Cromwell, of course. That wily bastard is probably the master mind of the whole thing.”

  “Cromwell’s name wasn’t on the list. Let’s work on the list first.”

  He excused Small but told him he might be called again later. Small smiled and bounded up the ladder. Ganse told Garty to call Wilson to be interviewed next.

  CHAPTER 17

  Predictably, the others on Spencer’s certain list, Wilson, McKinley, Green, and McKee, all denied any knowledge of the mutiny plans. Ganse and Perry could not determine from their demeanor whether they were involved in Spencer’s mutiny plans or just nervous about being questioned. So far they had not learned anything. Ganse ordered Garty to summon Cromwell.

  Cromwell’s frame filled the hatch, temporarily blocking the daylight. He stepped from the ladder and faced Ganse and Perry. Obviously in a sullen mood, he said in his usual deep and loud voice, “I can’t stay long. I have mates sewing sails this morning.”

  Perry said, “You failed to salute.”

  Cromwell gave a hasty and sloppy salute and replied sarcastically, “Clear slipped my mind  SIR.”

  Ganse said, “Mr. Spencer has been arrested for plotting a mutiny. We have reason to believe you may, uh are, involved . . .”

  Cromwell exploded, “I’m not involved in any damn mutiny and whoever says I am is a goddamn liar.” His protest reverberated about the room and brought quizzical glances by many of the boys on deck above.

  Ganse flushed. Perry said, “You’ve been seen many times plotting with Spencer and Small . . .”

  “Plotting, hell! I’ve talked with Spencer when he wanted to talk to me. I don’t know nothing about no mutiny. Does the captain know you are talking to me like this?”

  Ganse said, “The captain knows.”

  “I want to speak to the captain.”

  “The captain instructed us to interrogate the crew and report back to him.”

  “Well tell your captain that I’m clean as a spanked baby’s ass and I don’t know nothing about no mutiny. Can I go now, SIR.”

  Perry said, “You, Spencer, and Small have plotted to kill all the officers . . .”

 
; “Mr. Perry! Unplug your ears. I done told you I don’t know nothing about no mutiny and I don’t know nothing about killing nobody.”

  Ganse said, “We are just beginning this investigation. We may want to talk to you again.”

  “I still won’t know nothing and if you call me again, I want Captain Mackenzie present. You’ll find a little bilge water sloshing here’n’there in my guts, but I don’t harbor no mutiny.” he growled. He shoved Garty aside and climbed the ladder to the spar deck, blocking sunlight again as he went through the hatch.

  Perry looked at Ganse and smiled weakly, “He forgot to salute again.”

  Ganse smiled even more feebly, “Do you want to call him back again to salute?”

  Perry slowly nodded no.

  **********

  Ganse expected Mackenzie to be upset that the crew pleaded innocent and he and Perry had not learned anything from the interrogations. Perhaps Mackenzie understood better than he the futility of interrogation.

  After Ganse gave his report, Mackenzie said, “I remember something that went like this:

  If truth in doubt,

  A lie I’ll spout.

  If someone to blame,

  Fine, he’d do the same.

  If there’s proof,

  I’ll tell the truth.

  For now, the truth is in doubt and the men feel they can lie and never be caught. In time someone will break, then we’ll have the proof. After that confessions will flow like blood from a stuck pig. We must watch close for suspicious moves of the crew.”

  Ganse felt that Mackenzie’s quote implied that most people lied when they could get away with it. He had been brought up to always tell the truth. Anyway, he was relieved that Mackenzie accepted his report and he did not have to explain more about the interrogations.

  **********

  Just before sundown, dense clouds began to roll in from the west. Because the clouds were approaching fast, Ganse expected that they would be accompanied by high and probably gusty winds. The Somers had made good time all day under full sail, but if winds are strong or unpredictable, the topsails must be brought in. If not, the ship could be blown over due to the increased leverage of forces so high on the mast. Once blown over the sails would be wet and heavy, the hull would ship water in every opening, and it would be unlikely that the ship could be righted.

  Ganse ordered Midshipman Hayes to assemble six men to haul in the topsails. Hayes selected Small and five others to climb the rigging and secure the sails. Small was often picked for this duty because of his squirrel-like agility. Also, as the most experienced sailor, he aggressively took charge when up high where it would be hard to hear commands from officers on deck. The others selected for this chore were young boys who were also lightweights with proven agility. Cromwell and Small were watching with obvious interest from the bitts when Hayes asked Small to go aloft. Cromwell said something privately to Small, who then with a sudden burst of energy, scrambled up the Jacob’s ladder. Two boys followed Small up the forward mast and three boys climbed the mainmast.

  In the past Cromwell would be quick to enter such an activity, barking orders all around to whoever he chose. He might even use the opportunity to blow his beloved whistle. All this would be from the spar deck for he seldom climbed the rigging. This time he ignored the whole affair for a minute, and then quietly disappeared down the hatch to the berth deck. A few minutes later he reappeared followed at intervals by Wilson, McKinley, Green, and McKee.

  The topmost rigging was intentionally fragile and was designed to match the small sails. This minimized weight and leverage on the main masts. However, it maximized the need for careful handling to prevent damage to the rigging or injury to the men working on the rigging. Topsail brace ropes always remained slack to prevent over-stressing the smaller masts.

  The approaching storm, combined with darkness, drained color from the blurred images of the boys crawling around one-hundred feet above the spar deck. The noisy wind became stronger, the Somers heeled severely, and the boys’ hair and clothing batted furiously about their heads and bodies. Fifteen year old Ward Gagely had assumed a position for hauling in the topsail. Small, at the bottom of the fore royal sail, began pulling on the topsail brace rope, as if testing its tension. Hayes watched the bending topmast with alarm, especially since Gagely was clinging to it. He yelled, “Belay, Small, belay! There’s a boy on the yard.”

  Upon hearing Hayes urgent order, Ganse looked up and became alarmed also. He joined in, “Belay! Belay!”

  Sails flapping, blocks and tackle rattling, and whistling wind could absorb human voices. However, Ganse felt that Small surely heard them, but was purposely ignoring them. In any case, Small never looked down or gave any indication that he heard their loud yelling. “Belay! Belay! Belay!” Small only yanked harder than ever. Gagely was fearfully clinging to the vibrating mast. Where was Cromwell’s booming voice now in time of need? Ganse glanced in Cromwell’s direction and noticed that he only watched with Wilson and McKinley as though it was none of his affair. Ganse had a chilling thought. Could Small be creating a diversion so that Cromwell and others could free Spencer? Or worse, murder them all?

  Mackenzie, Perry, and others, having heard the commotion, were now on the spar deck. Spencer, bound in irons, watched intently with blinking eyes. Small gave one strong tug, “Crack.” Wood splintered, Gagely screamed, and the wind carried the wildly flapping topsail, topmast, twisted ropes, and Gagely in a big arc to the leeward, far over the ocean. Ganse gasped, for Gagely would either be blown into the sea or fall to the deck. In either case he would surely die. Gagely’s kicking legs were all Ganse could see as the tangled mass swung back inboard at the end of still attached ropes and disappeared behind the mainsail. A depression appeared in the mainsail and it began moving rapidly downward. Men and boys scattered as the wreckage crashed onto the deck and bulwark. They rushed back to view Gagely’s broken body  but he was not amongst the litter.

  Before they could speculate on his demise, Gagely slid down a rope and dropped to the deck. With a broad grin, he said, “I thought I was a goner, mates. I looked down and all I could see was white caps, I thought sure I was a goner.” A spontaneous cheer arose for their instant hero. Gagely had a story he could tell for the rest of his life, and with every telling the mast would become higher, the night would become darker, strong winds would turn into hurricanes, and the fall would become more life-threatening.

  CHAPTER 18

  Mackenzie had more urgent things on his mind than praising the lucky boy. Gagely was only an enlisted man and praise would come later, if at all. He began giving orders. “Hayes, send three more men aloft to lash down damaged rigging. We’ll make repairs when calm returns. Order Small down and have Garty put him in irons. Perry, Rogers, Ganse, report aft with me and keep your pistols ready.”

  To Ganse, this meant that Mackenzie also suspected that the incident was a diversion. Spencer, sitting on the deck, looked up with an arrogant sneer as Ganse passed him.

  Hayes never had a chance to pick three men to go aloft. Cromwell motioned with a head upward movement and he, Wilson, McKinley, Green, and McKee started up the Jacob’s ladder.

  Once aloft, Cromwell yelled at the young boys pulling in loose ropes and part of a shredded sail. “Get the hell down from here.” They seemed intent on finishing what they had started and did not start down at once. With his forearm Cromwell whacked one boy’s legs hard enough to dislodge them from the taut rope he was standing on. The boy dropped several feet and if he had not been holding a higher rope tightly, he would have fallen to the deck far below. When the other boys saw this, they dropped the ropes and tattered sails and started down like scurrying rats.

  Mackenzie looked up and squinted at the patches of fog blowing through the rigging. In the waning daylight he could distinguish but one of the forms on the mast. It dwarfed the other forms and was unmistakably Cromwell. The small boys were coming down and were about to jump on the deck. Mackenzie asked, “Ganse, wha
t’s Cromwell doing up there? He’s the biggest man on board the ship. He never leaves the deck.”

  Ganse said, “I’ll ask Hayes.” He was back in just a minute with the distressing news. He spoke rapidly and was so anxious to speak his voice was high pitched and breathless. “Hayes didn’t order them up there, they climbed up there on their own. It’s Wilson, McKinley, Green, and McKee, all the men on Spencer’s certain list. What’ll we do?”

  Mackenzie said, “Calm down Ganse, I’ll handle this.”

  Perry said, “They’re huddled together. It looks as if they’re talking more than they’re working. Shall I go up there and order them down, sir?”

  Mackenzie said, “Wait until they come down. We’re armed and they aren’t. We’ll be ready for them. Garty, go below and bring up irons for six men.“

  Ganse wondered why Mackenzie told him to calm down. He was calm. He was calm as anyone. He fervently wanted to demonstrate to Mackenzie and the others that he could handle any responsibility in a manor befitting a first lieutenant. He checked and double checked his pistol. It was loaded and ready.

  Perry said, “They’re just barely moving. They’re plotting, that’s what they’re doing.”

  Mackenzie said, “All right, we won’t wait. Ganse tell Hayes to order those men down.”

  Ganse took a couple of steps toward Hayes, then told Rogers, “You heard the Captain, go tell Hayes.”