Lost Love and Shipwrecked: Madeline Pike Finds Hope in the New Land

by Cathy Lynn Bryant

  “Ipswich, why Ipswich of all places?” asked Bridget, with a quizzical look on her face.

  “Oh, I was just observing that travel, to anywhere, will be much easier,” said Madeline unconvincingly.

  Noticing Madeline’s change in demeanor, Bridget was curious as to why she should desire to travel to Ipswich.

  Changing the subject, Madeline remarked, “Bridget, you should try and remember that our town is now called Salisbury.”

  “Oh, I know, Madeline. I am simply not as yet accustomed to the change. Why did they have to go and change the name anyway? What was wrong with Colechester, may I ask?”

  Charles was patiently waiting as the two young friends reached the Merrimac. “Good day, ladies. Are you prepared to be conveyed to Carr’s Island?”

  “Indeed we are,” replied Bridget with glee.

  Charles gently assisted the young ladies into the canoe, and they were off to the island. Bridget conversed with Charles about the island as Madeline look fixedly off in the distance as though she were miles away. As it was a short distance, it seemed no sooner had they stepped into the canoe that it was time to disembark onto the island. With a wave to Charles, and a promise to be back for the return trip before sunset, the friends were off on their expedition.

  ***

  Meanwhile, at the Bleasdell homestead, Elizabeth was beginning to wonder why Mr. Bleasdell seemed so giddy. He does not seem a bit concerned with what the girls might encounter on that island, she thought. However, just as she was about to ask him about it, he decided to let her in on his little secret.

  “Elizabeth, I have news. Mr. Carr is starting a ferry service. On my last trip to Ipswich, I had the occasion to introduce Mr. Carr to Christopher. Upon my recommendation and his own observations of Christopher’s merit, Mr. Carr has asked Christopher to come and work for him. Is that not good news?” inquired Mr. Bleasdell, grinning from ear to ear.

  “I knew you were up to something,” squealed Elizabeth with delight. “Do you suppose that Christopher is already out on the island?”

  “I cannot say, but I have been informed that there are plenty of men working out there to watch out over our two young friends.”

  “Now I understand why you appeared so unconcerned,” she said, with a smile.

  “Elizabeth,” said Mr. Bleasdell, “I have another bit of news. Mr. Carr has briefly spoken to me of a trip to Salem. I believe it is his intention that Mr. Foster and I accompany him.”

  “When is the trip to take place?”

  “I do not, yet, have any of the particulars. However, I am reasonably sure that there shall be sufficient time to prepare for my departure.”

  “I hope you will not be gone for long,” replied Elizabeth.

  “With all that Mr. Carr is involved with here in town, he shall not wish to be away for too long,” replied Mr. Bleasdell.

  “I do hope that Madeline enjoys her day with Bridget, for with you off on another trip, I cannot say when she might have another opportunity to take a day for herself,” said Elizabeth.

  ***

  With fall vastly underway, Carr’s Island appeared clothed with the radiant colors of red, yellow, orange, and green. Enraptured by the cascading leaves that were all around her, Madeline began spinning round and round.

  Bridget crept slowly over to Madeline, and whispered, “Be still; I hear something coming from behind us.” The two ladies stood grasping each other’s hand unsure of what to do. Just then, Jarret Ormsby came strolling out of the woods.

  “Well, bless my soul, my two favorite ladies. Good afternoon, Maddie, Bridget. What are you doing out here all alone?”

  “We are not alone. Can you not see that there are two of us,” retorted Madeline. “You are the one who has come alone.”

  “Oh, I see,” said Jarret, chuckling at her response.

  “And what may I ask are you doing out here? You are aware, are you not, that this is Mr. Carr’s island?” inquired Madeline.

  “I am indeed, and may I inquire after your reason for trespassing on Mr. Carr’s island,” replied Jarret.

  “Mr. Bleasdell requested permission on our behalf,” declared Madeline.

  “In any case, Jarret, you may return to whatever it was that you were doing,” muttered Bridget, anxious to be done with the conversation.

  “I ought to stay and be your protector,” quipped Jarret. “There may well be Indians or wild animals about.”

  “No need,” replied Madeline, as they turned to leave.

  Bridget and Madeline strolled on ahead hoping to be out of the sight of Jarret.

  “I have never been able to muster a good opinion of that man from the moment that I became acquainted with him,” remarked Madeline. “He is simply too presumptuous where women are concerned.”

  For a second time, the young ladies could hear someone approaching. “It must be Jarret again,” said Bridget, with disgust.

  “We would do well to be out of sight until we know for sure,” whispered Madeline.

  Stepping behind a large tree, the two friends quietly waited. At last, two men came sauntering past completely unaware of the ladies’ presence. Madeline and Bridget did not make a move until the men were out of sight.

  “There surely are a lot more people out here than I had expected to see today,” said Bridget, as she stepped out from behind the tree.

  “Indeed there are,” replied Madeline.

  Strolling along further down the trail, Madeline and Bridget came upon a modest saltbox style home, which they supposed belonged to Mr. Carr. They were quite surprised to find that there were several men roaming about the grounds.

  A couple of the men happened to notice Madeline and Bridget as they were approaching. “How do you do, ladies? I am Cornelius Tucker. We had been informed there might be some visitors today. Are you enjoying the island?” asked the young gentleman.

  “We are!” the pair exclaimed in unison.

  “What are you all doing out here on the island?” asked Madeline.

  “Mr. Carr has employed us to help him with the implementation of a ferry service,” Cornelius replied.

  “Oh, Bridget just informed of the ferry. However, I did not realize it would require so many men,” replied Madeline.

  “Yes, well, we are also working with him to build ships for exportation to the West Indies.”

  “Well, we better be on our way. It was nice to have met you, Cornelius.”

  “And you,” he replied as he turned to go.

  Madeline and Bridget wandered around the grounds for hours, thoroughly enjoying the day, before proceeding down the trail toward the spot on the river where they were to meet Charles.

  “Bridget, let us go down to the edge of the water and skip a few stones before we leave the island,” suggested Madeline.

  “Madeline, whatever do you mean?”

  “Just follow my example. Look for flat rocks such as this one,” she said as she demonstrated a skip.

  Before long, Bridget was as skilled at skipping stones as Madeline.

  “Bridget,” said Madeline, “you are as good a friend as I have ever known.”

  “Thank you, Madeline. My feelings are similar,” said Bridget, with a smile. “This has been simply a wonderful day.”

  “It is time to make our way to where we shall meet Charles Banister,” said Madeline, with a sigh.

  “I wish this day would never end,” remarked Bridget.

  Just as they were starting back, the two men who had passed by earlier were heading their way.

  There is something strangely familiar about the tall one, thought Madeline. “Bridget,” said Madeline, “it is too late to hide this time, as the men are fast approaching. Besides, I am sure they are only Mr. Carr’s men.”

  The closer they came the more Madeline was beginning to think that she recognized one of them. “But it could not be,” she reasoned aloud. “He is in Ipswich.”

  “Who is in Ipswich,” inquired Bridget.

  As Mr. Carr an
d Christopher came into full view, Madeline blurted out loudly, “Christopher, is that you?”

  Christopher, realizing that it was Maddie, came running toward her. “Maddie, what are you doing here?” he asked, while grasping her by the hand.

  “I . . . oh excuse me,” said Maddie. “Christopher Osgood, this is my good friend Mrs. Bridget Dudly.”

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” said Mr. Carr. “I am delighted that you were able to come out for a visit. Have you been enjoying the day?”

  “We have,” chuckled Bridget, realizing that she and Mr. Carr were the only two involved in the conversation.

  “Oh, I am sorry, Mr. Carr,” said Christopher at last. “This is my good friend, Madeline Pike. We came over on the Angel together. We have not seen each other since she moved here with the Bleasdells.”

  “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, though I am sure I must have seen you about town,” replied Mr. Carr.

  After observing the group from a distance, Jarret strolled up and insinuated himself into the conversation. “Well then, this is quite the gathering,” he said, with a scowl after taking notice of Maddie and Christopher’s familiarity with each other. “It’s obvious that the two of you are acquainted with each other by the way you are holding each other’s hand.”

  Realizing the uneasiness of the situation, Mr. Carr spoke up. “What brings you out to my island, Jarret?”

  “Simply having a look around,” replied Jarret, as he inched his way closer to Maddie.

  Christopher, sizing up the situation, let go of Maddie’s hand and moved back beside Mr. Carr at which time, it became evident to the ladies that Christopher had misunderstood and now believed that there must be something between Maddie and Jarret.

  “We must be going now,” said Christopher, glancing over at Maddie and Jarret. “It was great to see you again, Maddie. Please give my regards to the Bleasdells,” he said somberly.

  Maddie was too befuddled to respond.

  “Enjoy the rest of the day,” said Mr. Carr, as he and Christopher went on their way.

  Bridget glanced over at Maddie, uncertain of what to say.

  Jarret felt victorious with the knowledge that he had run off Christopher as a suitor for Maddie. “Well, come on, ladies,” said Jarret, “I shall accompany you back to the canoe.”

  “No thank you,” snapped Madeline, in a dejected voice. “We can make it back on our own.”

  “It really is not a problem, as I am heading in that direction,” demanded Jarret.

  This time, Bridget spoke up. “We are fine on our own. Goodbye Jarret.”

  After coming to the realization that he was not getting anywhere by insisting that he accompany the ladies, Jarret took his leave.

  Madeline and Bridget, for the moment, were finally rid of Jarret. Bridget decided to take this opportunity to inquire about Christopher. However, before she could get a word out, Madeline began to weep.

  “I knew there was something between the two of you, but Jarret ruined it, did he not?” inquired Bridget. “He was obviously attempting to paint a picture for Christopher that there was something between you.”

  “Oh, Bridget, I have to tell someone,” sobbed Madeline. “I have known Christopher ever since our voyage over from England. I lost my husband at sea about four weeks into our journey. When we finally reached Pemaquid, the ship broke up in a terrible hurricane.”

  “Yes, I am aware of all of that,” Bridget replied gently.

  “Christopher lost his wife and son in that shipwreck. After failing to save his family, he was the one who rescued me. After that, I lived with the Bleasdells in Ipswich before moving here. I never even had the opportunity to say goodbye to him the day we left.”

  “So this is the reason for your excitement about the ferry and your mention of the distance to Ipswich,” replied Bridget.

  “Yes, Bridget. I have endeavored for some time not to allow myself to have feelings for him, but to no avail.”

  “Why must you deny your feelings?” demanded Bridget. “You are no longer married, and from what you have said neither is he.”

  “I just cannot. It would not be right,” replied Madeline.

  “Though I never knew your husband, I suspect that he would have desired for you to be happy. Furthermore, it is too late for any attempt at stifling your feelings, as it is apparent that he shares them. Oh, I could just kick that Jarret,” said Bridget, angrily. “And another thing, how did Jarret know about the canoe and that it would be waiting for us precisely at this time?”

  “That is an excellent question,” said Madeline angrily.

  “I am going to ask Charles about it when we see him,” said Bridget.

  On the return trip, Bridget inquired of Charles as to whether or not he had seen Jarret Ormsby lately. “We had a chance meeting with him on the island today,” she explained.

  “Yes, of course you did,” replied Charles. “He was in town the day John and I were setting up your trips to and from Carr’s Island. He stated at that time that it was his wish for me to make a second trip in which I would convey him there as well. He was willing to pay for the service so I was obliged to say yes. In fact, he is waiting there now for me to fetch him.”

  Things were finally beginning to make sense to Madeline and Bridget. “Jarret is a most underhanded sort of man,” proclaimed Bridget. “Do not worry, Madeline, we will find a way to let Christopher know that there is nothing whatsoever between you and Jarret.”

  Chapter 9

  Revelations and New Accusations Regarding the Pirate “Dixie Bull”

  * * *

  Elizabeth and Mr. Bleasdell could not help but notice that Madeline seemed very troubled when she and Bridget returned home from the island.

  “Madeline, is there anything amiss with you?” asked Elizabeth.

  “Jarret!” exclaimed Bridget, answering for her. “I must take my leave now, but I shall be back tomorrow.”

  Mr. Bleasdell observed that Madeline had been crying. “If that Jarret has done anything to upset you, I am going to—. Just then, Mr. Bleasdell noticed that Henry was listening intently.

  Madeline spoke up, “Mr. Bleasdell, when Henry retires for the night, I shall make known to you and Elizabeth the story in its entirety.”

  After putting Henry to bed, Elizabeth hurried over to where Madeline and Mr. Bleasdell were reclining. “We are desirous to hear your account of the day’s events.”

  “Bridget made us aware of the fact that it has to do with the despicable Jarret Ormsby,” growled Mr. Bleasdell.

  “You are right on that account,” Madeline mumbled in a somber voice. “The story begins with Christopher, whom I had the unexpected occasion to be in the company of today.”

  Mr. Bleasdell and Elizabeth were surprised by her downcast manner regarding Christopher. They had always known her to be joyful at the mention of his name.

  “What has this to do with Christopher?” inquired Mr. Bleasdell.

  “As I have already mentioned, Bridget and I were surprised to discover Christopher on the island today. He was so stunned to see me that while we were speaking, he had innocently taken hold of my hand. Jarret happened along as we were conversing; at which point, he felt compelled to comment that Christopher had hold of my hand. As he was speaking, he positioned himself beside me,” explained Madeline as she began to sob again. “It was obvious, by the way Christopher quickly let go of my hand and moved away from me, that he had the mistaken impression that Jarret and I are courting.”

  “Which I am confident is precisely what Jarret intended,” declared Mr. Bleasdell.

  “I share your opinion, but even knowing how he is, I did not have time to react,” cried Madeline. “Everything just happened so quickly.”

  “Madeline, there is no need to be so concerned. I shall speak to Christopher and make the truth known just as soon as I return from Salem,” assured Mr. Bleasdell, with a smile.

  “You will? Oh thank you,” cried Madeline. “But as there is no under
standing between us with regard to any future together, you must not let on that I made such a fuss. No doubt, you and Elizabeth are aware of my feelings for him after my dreadful display.”

  “We believed it to be so for a long time,” replied Elizabeth.

  “Though I have struggled in vain to veil my affections for him, I would not have them declared to Christopher,” said Madeline.

  “It is not for us to make such a declaration regarding something so personal to you,” replied Elizabeth.

  “When I speak to Christopher, regarding Jarret, I shall be careful not to disclose anything,” assured Mr. Bleasdell.

  “Did you know that Christopher was coming to Salisbury?” inquired Madeline.

  “Yes, though the timing of which was uncertain; however, I had planned to inform you once I was confident that he was coming,” replied Mr. Bleasdell. “The truth of the matter is that Mr. Carr and I met with him on our last trip to Ipswich. I had inquired of Mr. Carr whether or not he was in need of additional men for his ferry service. After telling him about Christopher, he desired to meet with him with the intention of asking him to come and work for him. Christopher seemed so forlorn the times I saw him after we had left Ipswich; it was my belief that he would welcome such an offer. After all, for him we are the nearest thing to a family. He has even said as much.”

  “I am pleased that you asked him to come,” replied Madeline.

  ***

  The next day, Mr. Carr, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Bleasdell met together to discuss their trip to Salem.

  “What is this all about,” inquired Mr. Bleasdell.

  “Besides the two of you, only myself, the clerk, and one other person were present to hear what I am about to tell you. It is beyond comprehension!” exclaimed Mr. Carr.

  “Let me assure you that whatever you tell us shall be held in the strictest confidence,” said Mr. Bleasdell.

  “Jarret Ormsby has made another of his accusations; however, this time he has levied it against Christopher Osgood.”

  “What possible accusation could he make against him?” asked Mr. Bleasdell angrily.