“Raise the anchor and set the sails!” shouted Vijendra, to the two men standing by the hand-operated anchor winch and the others near the masts. He then addressed his helmsman. “Keep away from the sandbank near the mangroves, Dayang, and the reef on the point.”
He and Constance clambered down from the helm, before she disappeared down into the galley.
“The water’s deep over the north side, near the cliff” he mentioned, when he saw Michael standing there; looking bewildered, thinking we’ll get shipwrecked.
“How…How deep’s the draught?” Michael enquired.
“It’s 12’8’’. There’s plenty of water and the tide’s with us. Constance mentioned you’ve lost some weight, but she will feed you up again” he mentioned, before shouting an order to two men and walking away. “Ease the Mainsails slightly.”
Mabuhay eased slowly through the cove’s aqua blue water at about three knots as Michael reflected on his life now.
“Am I crazy? I have to be absolutely stark raving mad to dream about all this” he thought as he watched the passing scenery.
Michael had never stopped wishing he was back in Australia and back with his family.
“No you’re not crazy Michael” whispered Constance as she approached him.
“Did…Did I say that out loud?” he mumbled.
`Yes you did, but only I heard what you said” she replied in her usual calm voice. “On the other hand, do you absolutely think you should be out here with us?”
“Yes, because I actually miss the sea and I hated cleaning the bloody tavern and the kitchen” he mentioned, smiling. “How about you, do you regret going back out to sea with Vijendra?”
“Hmmm, let’s see” she said, trying to appear if she was thinking really hard, before laughing. “No! But you need to prepare yourself for ….”
She left him pondering her abrupt finish to the question, before she ascended the steps to the top rear deck.
“Pirates” Michael mouthed, finishing off her sentence.
* * *
Michael woke up to a light morning drizzle which persisted all day and he felt miserable. It was probably because he still wasn’t entirely sure if he was doing the right thing, what to expect and what was going to happen.
“How are you coping Michael?” asked Constance during the middle of the dreary afternoon.
“Nothing…nothing at all” he mumbled. “It’s just this bloody rain, that’s all.”
“Don’t worry, because it will clear up soon” she added, before moving away again.
Michael left the dry galley and climbed the steps to the top deck, before walking out into the misty drizzle. He ventured up to the bow and took a deep breath, hoping the fresh air would make him feel better and disperse any worries. They’ve only been out to sea for two days, but the land had disappeared or it was hidden by the mist. His clothes felt very damp, but he actually felt pretty damn good as he sucked in another lungful of the oxygenated air. Michael could still remember the words he overheard his grandmother whisper to his mother one day. “He will grow up one day, Marion!” If she could see him now, she would be pleased as punch with the changes he’s made. All of a sudden Michael felt the wind pick up remarkably and then, on cue, the first rumble of thunder and then another louder burst. Lightning flashed above his head and the rumbling grew louder. As he rushed to get back to his safe, stuffy haven, the heavens opened up and the rain teemed down, hard and mean.
“Son of a bitch, I didn’t see this coming.” swore our Captain as he rushed past Michael when he paused at entrance to the galley. “Lower those mainsails, NOW!”
“What are we going to do?” Michael asked Connie.
“We have to go below and secure everything that we can find. The storm’s only going to get worse, so we need to be ready for a mini typhoon” she added. “Let’s get to it.”
Her words had barely left her mouth and the two of them were on their way down into the galley, when the schooner groaned and lay over, sending them tumbling down the steps and into its belly.
“Aww…shit” she mumbled, picking herself back up from the floor.
“Are you all right?” Michael asked, noticing blood seeping from a deep gash on her forehead.
“Yea…I’ll live, How about you?” she shouted above the thunder.
“Just a couple of lumps and bruises” he groaned, hoping that all it was.
Vijendra secured his footing before he ascended the steps to the helm, shadowed by his first mate, George; the schooner angling dangerously to port. Dayang was nowhere in sight and the wheel was spinning wildly. He rushed over to take control of the wheel, while the rest of the crew members struggled to lower the mainsails. Another huge wave struck the Mabuhay and Vijendra slipped as he struggled with the wheel; the decks awash with foam and water. The storm was in full pelt with lightning and thunder all around them.
“Man overboard” he shouted as loud as he could, before yelling his name. “Dayang?...George, can you search for him?”
After a few seconds, which seemed like an hour, he was able to steady the schooner. George frantically searched everywhere, before scanning the wake the schooner left behind in the turbulent sea.
“He’s over there, Vijendra” he shouted. “He’s waving his arm.”
Throw him a life preserver and I’ll try and come about” he shouted.
“I’m going in” he shouted, getting ready to run and dive. “Aim for the life preservers.”
“Noooo…I don’t want to lose you too” he shouted, before he realized it was too late.
George had already dived into the wild sea, so he had no other option but to succeed with turning the schooner around quickly. The distance between the moving schooner and Dayang was much greater than George first thought and the two life preservers restricted his movements, but he was a strong swimmer; most seamen were. Dayang managed to swim towards his rescuer, which allowed George to close the gap quickly.
“Hold onto this and pray Vijendra can find us again” he shouted in between gulps of air.
The pair watched worriedly as their captain managed to turn around the schooner, complete a full semicircle around them and slowly come back up into the moderating breeze towards them. Garjarja, Ameya, Hakim and Malik were standing on the stern, holding onto two trailing ropes.
“Take a good hold of the rope and we’ll pull you both in” Hakim shouted.
Slowly but surely the four men hauled in their mates and dragged them onto the boarding platform
“Thanks” they whispered in unison; their throats raw with the salt water they ingested.
“We’ll get you down below decks” mentioned Hakim, helping them up.
The storm slowly abated and seas returned to a slight swell as the men bailed out the water from the bilge. The clouds dissipated on sunset, leaving behind a sky filled with grey, pink, orange and red. After dinner everyone sat up on deck, either smoking, drinking or simply gazing up into the beautiful night sky filled with stars that twinkled like diamonds. The seas were peaceful and calm again and they showed no evidence of the turbulence a few hours ago. Michael leant back against the wall of the rear cabin, his eyes searching for the few constellations he knew, but he couldn’t recognize anything except the milky-way. Michael had been introduced to the people on board and he began to recall their names; Garjarja, Ameya, Hakim, Malik, Raditya, Dayang, Manshur and Shafwan were all the crew members, George was the Captain’s first mate. Along with Vijendra, Connie and himself, the total of people on board the Mabuhay was twelve. All of the eight crew members were a mix of native-born Chinese with some Indonesian ancestry. They were classed as Peranakan and they were treated differently to full-blooded Indonesians and full-blooded Chinese. The Chinese minority in Indonesia had long played a major economic role in the archipelago as merchants, artisans, and indispensable middlemen in the collection of crops and taxes from native populations. They encountered considerable hostility from both Indonesians and Europeans, largely becaus
e of the economic threat they seemed to pose. One by one the men turned to their bunks, leaving just Garjarja and Ameya to take the first shift for the night, so Michael went below to sleep when the Captain and Connie went to their cabin.
The cool autumn breeze ruffled her hair and she swayed her hips sexily as she walked into the Captain’s cabin.
“It's been a beautiful evening, and an even more beautiful view, don't you think?” he whispered as the full moon beamed its light through the rear port hole.
“Yes” she agreed.
“I know you have been waiting for this day to finish” he said, nuzzling that delicious neck he'd been lusting after all evening, breathing in her scent.
She slowly lifted her index finger up to his lips, persuading him to be silent. He watched as she took two step backwards and slowly removed her dress and underclothes; taunting him. Vijendra wanted to walk over, throw her on the bed and ravish her, but her outstretched hand held him back. She slowly twirled around, like a ballerina, heightening his excitement. In the subtle nighttime glow, he could see the softness of her flawless skin and the smell her perfume wafting in the air around him. He loved the display she was putting on and he didn’t want to miss any of it, because he knew he would have her later.
Chapter 12
Michael ate a cold breakfast early the next morning of bread and cheese followed by a steaming hot coffee and ventured back up to the bow of the Mabuhay. The schooner must have passed by Nyata Island during the first night at sea, but they were still well away from any land. He could just make out a few small sails on the port side, so he assumed they were fishermen, setting their nets or casting their long-lines. A pod of dolphins crossed the schooner’s bow and the clear sky was filled with seabirds. The sea was a deep indigo blue this morning; as if the storm had cleansed the water. An Albatross screamed along the waves, just inches from the surface, swooping in and out of the swell, putting on an impressive display.
“It’s simply stunning” suggested Vijendra.
Michael was surprised that the captain had come up so quietly on him, but he didn’t show it.
“Yes!…The captain on the Teresa was looking for an island which had an unbelievable amount of wealth hidden away on it; just like a treasure island. Have you ever heard about this place, Captain?” he asked.
“Dutch pirates are supposed to have hidden a million pieces of eight in a cave somewhere around here in 1717. A subsequent earthquake sealed the cave and it has never been found” Vijendra admitted, before adding more to his story of Indonesia. “The Indonesian people around here make their living by fishing or trading. Apparently they trade spices, milk and liquor back and forwards. That is why this area is called the Spice Islands for that reason. Sumatra is the third largest nutmeg producer in the world. They also grow cloves, cinnamon, allspice, pepper, a tremendous number of herbs and rubber trees.”
“The captain showed me a map and he named the ‘treasure island’ as Diamond Island” Michael mentioned, enticing Vijendra to tell him more about the treasure.
“Hundreds of maps have been produced promoting many islands, but no one has succeeded in finding the treasure. He sounded like a gullible man” he laughed, before walking away.
Michael remembered his history lessons from school and the Cultivation System on Java. The dismantling of the system, Dutch subjugation of Sumatra and the eastern archipelago and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 stimulated the rapid development of a cash-crop, export economy. Another factor was technological change, especially the rise of the automotive industry, which created unforeseen markets for tropical products in Europe and North America. Although palm oil, sugar, cinchona (the source of quinine, used in treating malaria), cocoa, tea, coffee, and tobacco were major revenue earners, they were eclipsed during the early twentieth century by rubber and, especially, petroleum. Sumatra and the eastern archipelago surpassed Java as a source of tropical exports, although sugarcane remained important in East Java. Rubber plantations were established on a large scale in the early twentieth century, particularly around Medan, Palembang, and Jambi on Sumatra, with British, American, French, and other foreign investment playing a major role. A high-yield variety of rubber tree, discovered in Brazil and proven very profitable in Malaya, was utilized. It was during this period that the emergence of small-holder rubber cultivation, which was to play a major role in the Indonesian economy, took place. Tin had long been a major mineral product of the archipelago, especially on the islands of Bangka and Billiton, off the southeast coast of Sumatra. But petroleum was, and remained, Indonesia's most important mineral resource. Oil, extracted from Sumatra after 1884, was first used to light lamps.
“Well, my history lessons do come in handy and they are actually worth learning” he whispered as he stared out to sea. “Maybe I could help my captain, as I gaze into my crystal ball and predict the future.”
The Mabuhay rounded the rocky point of Madu Island, under the watchful eye of the captain. Dayang eased past the mangrove clad buff and threaded his way into the bay as the sails were lowered. Michael went up to the bow to watch the two crew members release the anchor onto the sandy bottom. They didn’t talk to him, but nodded in recognition as part of the group. He knew they could understand English, but they preferred not to or couldn’t speak it. They were on the edge of the Flores Sea and still a long way away from Sumatra. There was another schooner in the bay and it displayed the Norwegian flag. The schooner’s name was displayed proudly on the stern. - The Vega. That name seemed so familiar, but Michael couldn’t work out why he would know that name unless he remembered it from his history lessons.
The Captain assembled everyone on deck to explain why they stopped here. “We’ll be here for several days to rest and replenish some supplies. You can go ashore if you wish, or stay on board; the choice is up to you. The weather is picking up, so we’ll remain here until it becomes safe to continue our journey.”
Michael looked over to the west and noticed heavy masses of dark clouds collecting on the horizon, so he thought he should go ashore before it hits the island. The longboat and the two dinghies were lowered into the water and tethered to the stern.
“I’m going ashore Michael, do you want to keep me company?” Constance asked innocently. “James is staying on board with George to arrange some maintenance on the rudder and the some of the fittings. – BORING!”
“James?” a name Michael hadn’t heard before.
“It’s Vijendra’s real middle name and he’s letting me use it; another change from the dreaded pirate he once was” she admitted.
“It would be an honour to go with you, Connie” he said.
Michael rowed through the smooth water and she pointed out which direction to take to thread their way through the coral. The bay was roughly divided into four sections, separated by rocky outcrops. He knew she was looking for the closet small cove, hidden behind a large group of rocks. Here the tangled bush of trees, shrubs and vines grew down to the beach.
“There’s a flowing small stream over there” she pointed out happily. “Let’s tie up the dinghy there.”
His oars moved with a slow rhythmic motion in the crystal clear water and Michael could see the black sea slugs feeding on the bottom. Schools of sky-blue and yellow fusiliers parted as the dinghy passed overhead, only to regroup soon after. A stingray left clouds of sand in its wake as it tried to escape from their path. As the dinghy entered the small stream, schools of mullet dispersed with a slight splashing.
“Turn to your right and aim for the beach” she suggested.
He drove the nose of the dinghy onto the sand and Connie slipped off her sandals, jumped out and tied the dinghy to the dead tree lying close to the water’s edge. Michael jumped out and took a few tentative steps further up the beach, because he still felt himself swaying slightly from the few days at sea. From their position the two of them couldn’t see the Mabuhay, but the small cove had a magical feel to it. The rocky outcrops, the blue sky and the indigo b
lue ocean, the golden sand, the dark green jungle and the small burbling stream enhanced its appeal. Two pelicans waddled on the sand, just a few yards away from them.
“Let’s go for a swim” she shouted with joy. “It’s probably fresh water from the mountain mixed with the salt water of the sea”
“I didn’t bring a change of clothes” he admitted sadly.
“It’s just you and me, so who needs clothes” she said.
Michael couldn’t peel his eyes away as she stripped off her clothes in front of him, hung them on the old tree on the beach and casually stepped into the shallow stream. The water must have been only about four feet deep; because when it reached her thighs she lay down and floated on her back. He could clearly see her dark, triangle of pubic hair and large breasts and Michael felt himself becoming horny. He felt shy about getting undressed in front of a woman, but she wasn’t looking at him so he stripped down and followed her lead, hoping the cool water would keep his manhood soft.
“Do you miss Sally, Michael?” she asked, opening her eyes when she heard the splashing.
“I have never stopped thinking about her” he said. “I felt it was partly my fault for her getting kidnapped.”
“Why do you think that?” she said when she stopped floating and turned to look at me; her breasts clearly in view.
“I..I..I” he stuttered, looking away.
“Please look at me, Michael. I’m not ashamed about my body and you’re a healthy young adult. Nothing is going to happen between us and we’re friends connected by a common bond” she said clearly.
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