The Emerald Tartan

by Patricia McGrew

  Pakelekia pondered Lydia’s comments. She slowly finished braiding her hair into one long braid which would fall down her back, similar to the braid Sing Hee wore. Finally, she realized Lydia was correct – Sing Hee was their only hope.

  The fragrant aroma of garlic and rice wafted through the air. Sing Hee brought two fresh plates of rice and what appeared to be vegetables over to the two women. It was definitely not the same brown concoction on the plates from earlier. He eyed Pakelekia suspiciously. Lydia got up from her crate and leaned toward the cell bars.

  “It is all right, Sing Hee. Pakelekia did not know you are not mean spirited like the other men. She will not hit you again.”

  The other men had eaten their fill of food and were laying around the cave like discarded rag dolls, snoring in peaceful oblivion. Sing Hee quietly opened the cell door and carried in the two plates of food. Lydia tugged on his sleeve and whispered, “Can you talk with us for a couple of minutes?” Her eyes pleaded with him. He nodded in agreement, but still watched Pakelekia.

  “Sing Hee, between the three of us, we can escape. I am certain I can borrow money from Lord and Lady Saxonby to help buy your fare back to China, if that is what you want. The bottom line is none of us are where we want to be in our lives. I cannot and will not be a slave or a whore to some man who thinks he can buy and sell me at whim. Pakelekia is descended from a royal family, and she should go back to Hawaii. You are not a slave. I can tell from your demeanor and conduct you are not a low-born servant. Your English is good. Surely you want to return to your family.”

  She looked at Pakelekia to confirm everything she had said, but Pakelekia said nothing.

  “How do we do this thing?” whispered Sing Hee.

  “When will these men leave the cave the next time?” asked Lydia.

  “In a few more hours, they go to bars for drinks. Not come back until late. Lord Darke – he come tomorrow morning to decide whether to sell you or not.”

  “Then, after the men leave to go to the bars is when we will act. Which tunnel do we take?”

  Sing Hee’s expression darkened. “You not worry. I lead you out of cave through tunnels. I tell you now, then you no reason take me with you. I cannot stay here if you leave. Lord Darke kill me if you escape, and I here.”

  CHAPTER 24

  A few hours later, Lydia, Pakelekia, and Sing Hee left the ample lighting of the cave for the dim, damp and moldy smelling underground tunnels of San Francisco. Just walking along the tunnels was dangerous because the walkways were either slippery with mud and debris, or moss and fungi grew between the stones everywhere, adding to the difficulty of navigating on an uneven surface. An eyehook held a rope in place along the sides of the cave for support like a handrail. The stench of human misery deposited in the nooks and crannies here and there required all three escapees to walk with rags over their noses. The faint light provided by occasional kerosene lamps hung randomly from the cave ceiling barely made the twists, turns and potholes of the tunnels visible. Yet, Sing Hee moved forward as though he had been living in the cave for years and knew the path to freedom only too well.

  Pakelekia held onto the back flounces of Lydia’s soaked and torn ball gown to keep from becoming separated in the dim light.

  “We getting close to tunnel divide now,” said Sing Hee. One part of tunnel go to shipping docks where you two came from. Other tunnel go toward center of business district. Some smaller, more narrow tunnels lead to other cave rooms, like Lord Darke’s. We go to business district. If we go to docks, might run into Lord Darke’s men. Many bars and taverns outside that tunnel. At tunnel divide is big room. Have to be very careful there. Sometimes, in bad weather, men sit there and drink or smoke. Stay out of wind and rain. I look first before you enter area. Make sure Lord Darke’s men gone out of big room. Must go quick–quick out of big room when I say, so no one catch us.”

  Lydia and Pakelekia squeezed each other’s hands in mutual support.

  “You two, now wait here so no one see you. I go check out big room.”

  The two women looked at one another again, their hearts pounding so loudly that neither one spoke for fear of having to shout in order to be heard. Lydia adjusted her grip on the wooden rolling pin she had found about one hundred feet from where they stood. At least it was a weapon of some sort for protection.

  Just then, Sing Hee said, “Come now. Quick. No one in big room, but I hear voices in other passage. Not voices I know, but we must move on before they see us.”

  The three plunged forward into the big room. Lydia’s eyes darted around the area, taking in the room which served as the main tunnel to several other tunnels. Sing Hee had been correct. There was no one in the room, but she, too, heard male voices coming from one of the other tunnels.

  Sing Hee urged them on to the right tunnel, but also cautioned the ladies to watch where they put their feet, lest they trip or fall in the darkness.

  “Go,” whispered Lydia breathlessly. “We will watch where we go. Let’s just get moving, in case those men belong to Lord Darke.” Fear pinpricked its way up and down her spine. Freedom felt so close, yet with one mistake, it could be snatched away in a second.

  They disappeared into the darkness of the hall to the left. Moments later four men strode into the big room from the tunnel on the right.

  “Are you sure you saw a woman coming through these tunnels?”

  “Aye. I know what I saw, man. On two separate occasions early this morning I saw a big Chinese fellow carrying what appeared to be nothing more than rolled up oriental rug down the entrance we came through. I knew there were women in the rug because long hair fell out of the one end of the rug.”

  “You actually saw hair?” the other man questioned.

  “Yea. I just told you that, did I not? The first woman appeared to be rather small given the size of the carpet. She had auburn colored hair.”

  “And the other woman?” asked the same man.

  “A couple of hours later, the other woman, who appeared to be much larger and heavier, was also wrapped in a rug. Her hair was very thick, long, and black. She kept mumbling about something. I almost pitied the poor man carrying her. He looked as though he was about to die with all the weight on his back! The carpet was much larger than the first one, and the man struggled with the squirming weight.”

  “Well, I do not know much about the big woman, but I would bet that the one with the auburn hair was the woman I am searching for,” said the other man.

  “Two ships arrive within a few hours of one another. Two ships left Honolulu Harbor that night sailing toward San Francisco. Two arrive this morning and someone carried wrapped up oriental rugs through these tunnels just hours apart from one another. This is too coincidental. Are your sources correct, man?”

  “Hmph. As reliable as any thief or snitch can be, my friend.”

  ***

  “Eeek!” came a scream from one of the tunnels. “Get away. Get away!”

  “It only rat, Missy. Be quiet. You give away our location,” said Sing Hee.

  “It was trying to bite me. And do not say ‘only a rat’. It was huge, and I hate rats!” squeaked Lydia.

  “Quick!” said Sing Hee. “Run. Footsteps coming this way. Come, step into this tunnel. Many turns so we can hide.”

  They hustled into a dark tunnel to the left of the main tunnel and worked their way blindly around a bend so they were not visible from the main tunnel.

  Pounding footsteps thudded closer.

  “What do we do now?” asked Lydia.

  “We wait here,” said Pakelekia. “They may realize they have lost us and retrace their steps.”

  Not more than a minute later the running footsteps returned and drew near the opening to the small tunnel where the escapees hid.

  “Let’s check out each side tunnel as we work our way back. I cannot believe we lost those people,” said one of the men.

  Sing Hee stretched himself as tall as possible, pulled out the knife strapped to his l
eg, and flattened himself against the tunnel wall.

  Lydia pressed herself up straight against the other side of the tunnel wall, firmly gripping the rolling pin in her right hand, and raised it high over her head.

  Meanwhile, Pakelekia drew herself up to her full six feet height and grabbed a rock from the tunnel floor.”

  “Do not do anything, or say anything,” said Sing Hee, “unless we have no choice. If they come around bend and see us, make certain whatever you do is quick. We not want create ruckus and draw other people down this tunnel. Hopefully, there are only few of them. Once we silence them, run back out into main tunnel. Once we get ourselves outside, we be with people. But we stay close to one another in case anyone else comes after us. Together we are force, but separated, they pick us off one by one.”

  The three held their position as they listened to the footsteps going into and out of one tunnel after another.

  “They are not going to give up,” Lydia said softly.

  The moment of truth arrived. The lumbering footsteps thudded near the entrance to the tunnel they were in.

  Lydia’s eyes grew wide. “Get ready!”

  No sooner had she said this than two large figures came around the bend into the tunnel. The first thing Lydia saw was a hand holding a pistol.

  She swung the rolling pin down in a wide arc on the out-stretched hand.

  “Umph,” a deep voice mumbled.

  Sing Hee put his foot out and tripped the second person who entered the side tunnel.

  A third man came up behind the first two, and saw Lydia kick the pistol away from the man on the floor.

  “Lydia, is that you”?

  “What?”

  “Lydia, for God’s sake, it was the Captain you just clobbered! It’s me, Dr. Miller.”

  “Dr. Miller?”

  “Yes, it’s me.”

  “Oh my goodness. I am so relieved to see you!”

  “I am glad to see you, too, but I do not think the Captain will be too happy!”

  Lydia finally looked down.

  “Oh my God. It was Ian I hit! Stop running Sing Hee and Pakelekia! Come back! It’s all right. These are my friends!”

  Stooping to assist Ian, who appeared to be seeing stars from having his hand hit with the rolling pin, Lydia cradled his head and said, “Ian. It’s me, Lydia.”

  “Och. You made me see stars. My hand is throbbing. Can you never stay out of trouble, lass?” He managed a weak smile despite his pained demeanor.

  “I am beginning to think I need to tie you to my desk so I cannot lose you!”

  It almost sounded like he cared about her! Lydia assisted him into a sitting position. “Oh, Ian. You will never believe what happened.”

  “Yes, I would. I have never met such a calamitous young woman in my life. But, I am mighty happy to see you too.” He looked into Lydia’s eyes and smiled. He pushed her away from him slightly so he could look her over.

  “If you don’t like the gown I got you for the ball, you could have told me. You didn’t have to tear it to shreds!” He smiled.

  Lydia looked down at her gown. It bore no resemblance to the lovely emerald silk gown she had worn to the ball, but rather was a stained and greasy shred of a dress. Black smudges, oil, and dirt covered the dress. Lydia’s hair was no longer on the top of her head with little ringlets down by her ears. It was all undone and hung down her back. It was matted with straw and grease.

  “Ian, this is truly the most beautiful dress I have ever worn. I am so very sorry. I will pay you back somehow.”

  “Aye. That you will, but we will talk about that later. I am just relieved to know that you’re safe. Whatever happened to you?”

  The two had forgotten anyone else existed.

  “Ahem …” Pakelekia cleared her voice.

  Lydia helped to pull Ian up to his feet.

  “Ian, there is so much to tell you. But first, let me introduce to my two new friends, Pakelekia and Sing Hee.”

  Before Ian could greet them, Lydia continued. “And we need to get out of here before Lord Darke’s men discover we are missing, and they come looking for us.” She gathered everyone together and started pushing them out of the small tunnel as quickly as she could.

  “Whoa. Wait a minute. Who is Lord Darke, and what are you talking about?” asked Ian.

  “Please, Ian, believe me. With all the escapades I have been in since I met you, you must realize I do recognize trouble when I see it. We are in dangerous trouble if we do not get out of here now.”

  Ian glanced at Sing Hee and Pakelekia. They nodded in agreement with Lydia.

  “All right. But as we go, please fill me in on the details.”

  Lydia began. “Lord Darke, or at least his men, are the ones who kidnapped both Pakelekia and myself. Apparently, we were put onto two separate junks that sailed to San Francisco. We arrived within a matters of hours of one another this morning. Sing Hee was one the guards ordered to watch and care for us until Lord Darke arrives tomorrow. Lord Darke apparently deals in slavery of all types, but he really prefers to kidnap women, whom he either sells to the highest bidder or he keeps. Years ago, Sing Hee was captured by Lord Darke, and he has been repeatedly beaten into submission, as you will see later from the scars on his back. Sing Hee agreed to help us escape, and in turn, that would allow him to escape. But he knows if he is captured by Lord Darke again, he will be killed immediately. This is not Sing Hee’s first attempt to escape Lord Darke.”

  At that point, Ian hurried their pace to escape.

  Several hours later Lydia, Pakelekia, Sing Hee, Ian and Dr. Miller all sat around a large table in the galley of the Emerald Tartan. The three escapees had the opportunity to bathe and dress in clean clothing.

  Finding a dress for one as tall as Pakelekia had been a challenge, but Ian’s knowledge of the small businesses in San Francisco proved valuable. Even Sing Hee wore a new outfit. He looked a little uncomfortable in the western style shirt and trousers, but he was immensely proud of the cowboy boots Ian had found for him. They were just a little large, so Sing Hee wore very thick socks with them.

  A few lonely scraps of bread, cheese, cold chicken remained on the platter in the middle of the table. Everyone’s plate was clean.

  “Now that we have tended to all your basic needs, would someone please fill me in on the details of what all happened?” He turned toward Lydia.

  “Lydia, I understand you were kidnapped as we were able to find a few witnesses to your sudden departure from the ball – and I caught up with Mr. Rodrigues. I convinced him he needed to tell me the truth about your disappearance.”

  “How did you do that?” asked Lydia.

  “Let’s just say it was a wee bit of friendly persuasion,” Ian said as he rubbed his knuckles.

  “As far as your abrupt departure from the ball is concerned, I will talk with ye later about that.”

  Lydia started to say something, but Ian put up his hand as though to stop her. “Later, Lydia.”

  Lydia sat back in her chair and nodded her head in acquiescence. Ian switched his inquisition over to Pakelekia.

  Less than thirty minutes later, Pakelekia had explained to all how she had been kidnapped. Anger still seethed beneath her elegant, queenly exterior.

  Dr. Miller lit up a cigar, while Ian pushed his chair away from the table and tilted back on the legs of the chair. All eyes, except Sing Hee’s, focused on Pakelekia.

  Sing Hee did not say a word. But, he appeared to be increasingly concerned about something when Lydia turned to look at him. The Captain and Dr. Miller continued their discussion with Pakelekia about her family.

  Lydia leaned over to Sing Hee and whispered, “What is wrong?”

  He shook his head as though to say ‘nothing’. Nevertheless, the worried look on his face did not relieve Lydia’s concern that there was still something terribly wrong. Sing Hee looked around nervously and shook his head.

  “If you gentlemen would excuse me for a few minutes, I would like to ge
t a breath of fresh air,” said Lydia. “Sing Hee, would you object to accompanying me to the deck?”

  Sing Hee’s eyes darted to the Captain and then back to Lydia. He edged out of his chair quietly and pointed to the door with a low bow to Lydia.

  The others hardly noticed their departure. Yet, just as Lydia reached the top step to the deck, the Captain yelled out, “Don’t leave the ship, Lydia.”

  “Not to worry, Ian. I just want some fresh air and to stretch my legs.”

  Leaning over the ship’s railing, Lydia asked Sing Hee, “What is wrong?”

  CHAPTER 25

  Sing Hee fidgeted with his hands for a moment and then looked out to sea.

  “Missy Lydia. Do you really trust Captain?” “Yes, of course. He saved my life and has been very kind to me. Why?”

  “His voice. It frighten me.”

  “That is a very strange statement. Can you explain to me, why?”

  “His voice, maybe I mean his words – the way he say them.”

  “What else?” “His words sound just like words Lord Darke speak.”

  “Oh, you mean his Scottish accent?”

  “Accent. That the word. It the way Captain say his “r’s” and that he say ‘ye’ instead of ‘you’ sometimes.”

  “That would be his Scottish brogue. But are you sure the Captain’s accent sounds similar to Lord Darke’s?”

  “More than five years in company of Lord Darke. I know accent well.”

  “While I can certainly understand your concern, you must remember the world is full of Scotsmen. The Captain and Lord Darke are only two people of thousands who speak with a Scottish brogue. What does this Lord Darke look like?”

  “Light brown hair, not too tall. When he capture me, he skinny. But that long time ago. Now he fat – and dresses very fancy, like … like …”