by Lisa Grace
“Has anyone on your island talked of the pirate Bloody Graham?”
The pirate nodded. “Two. Only two say they have met him. He is on a fine ship like yours. He surprised their ship in the middle of the night. Boarded and tortured the men then killed them, or fed them alive to the sharks. These two said they were to be fish food, but one had a knife tied to his thigh. He cut the rope of him and his brother, and they found a palm floating in the sea. They used the rope that had tied the cannonball to them to lash themselves to the tree. They rode it back to the island. On the island they joined the crew of Jemmy. They claimed they were Spanish soldiers who could pay a reward, then went to the mainland town to send a message to the King of Spain.”
The pirate bent his head down, leaned forward, and in a rough whisper said, “Do you work for Bloody Graham? We can work for him too.” He winked.
“What was your job on the ship?” Randall asked.
“Sail maker, cloth repairs. I’m good with a needle and ropes.” He paused to take another drink and let out a burp. “They say bloody Graham thrives on spilled blood. He is a force to be reckoned with. The way you sank our ship was a thing of beauty. A complete surprise. Bloody Graham is as cursed a pirate as any on the high seas. He’s put fear in the likes of the merchants, and Jemmy, and the rest.”
“Where is this Gaspar who led you?”
The pirate guffawed. “He’s the man you have been drowning, the one who won’t talk. He won’t talk if you lash him neither. He will find a way to escape and slit your throat though—for sinking his ship.” The pirate leaned forward and wiggled his eyebrows, laughed again, and took another swallow of his ale.
Randall raised his brow, and spoke dryly, “He won’t be the first who has wished to slit my throat, but the last man that tried, found the other end of a straight blade can do the job just as admirably. Thank you for the information.” Randall motioned, “Drink up.”
The men went to take him by his arms and escort him back to the prison cell.
“Bring me the captain, the man we tried to drown.”
The sailor, now recovered of breath, was escorted to the chair recently vacated by the chatty pirate.
“Gaspar, it is a—I do not know honestly, as I hold pirates in general in low esteem, but I am informed you are the leader of your men. I picked you to water because of course, you looked the most leader-like, and the most likely to fight, so I am glad I was not wrong in my assessment of you.”
Randall gestured for one of the sailors to give Gaspar the mug which was again filled with ale. The pirate sniffed it but would not drink. Randall gestured for the sailor to fill his cup from the same pitcher, and then Randall drank.
“It is rather good stuff. Try it. After what you have been through today, a drink is in order. Don’t you think? Maybe even a whore.”
The pirate finally spoke, “You have women here?”
“Women, liquor, and now your treasure at the bottom of the cove. One of those is always the downfall of any man.” Randall took a swig of his drink then continued to speak, “Yes, pretty ones too. Women who do not fancy a life of laboring in the fields. We take care of them like ladies, and they take care of us.”
“What manner of pirates are you?” Gaspar asked eyeing Randall warily.
Randall shook his head. “We are not pirates, but are in King George’s employ to his Royal Navy.”
The pirate narrowed his eyes. Randall continued. “Drink up. We are not charged to fight pirates, but to keep our ship and mission safe. We only attack pirates as a matter of defense. When you stumbled onto us and our mission, we had no choice but to fire. We could not have you spoil our plans by reporting we are here. It was unlucky on your part that you found us.”
“What do you want?” Gaspar asked as he took another sip of his ale.
“First, your pledge before God as a pirate's oath, that you will not try to escape as we treat you well, and two, you do not attempt to slit our throats in our sleep.”
Randall took a drink of his ale and continued, “We will free you when we leave the island, and you may claim it and its resources as your own. We have no interest in the treasure lying at the bottom of the cove, so you may keep what you can salvage once we have left.”
Randall paused, “Can I have your promise before God and on your honor as a pirate?”
“Before I pledge any such oath, what is it you want?” Gaspar replied holding out his now empty tankard. Randall nodded for the sailor to refill Gaspar’s mug.
“Information. That is all. We fight for honor and have no need of earthly treasure. We want information that you can provide. A small price to pay for your eventual freedom.”
Gaspar’s lips rose in a grim smile. “I shall make my own decision of what is a small price and whether it is worthy of my pledge.”
“Tell me everything you know about the pirate Bloody Graham, Sangree Graham. Every tale you have heard, and the names of the men who have claimed to have met him. We are on a mission to find him and those who would turn him in.”
“Is that all?” Gaspar said as he took another swig. “Information on a pirate?” Gaspar shrugged and laughed. “I swear by God I will tell you all I know, which is little enough, and I will not slit your throats in your sleep.”
“Or when we are awake.”
“Or when you are awake,” Gaspar tilted his head from side to side emphasizing each word followed by a laugh no mirth. Gaspar crossed his arms, and scratched his bearded chin, “I would like a whore for the information.”
“That can be arranged,” Randall said, “now the information.”
Gaspar nodded and started to tell the stories he had heard of the exploits of the pirate Bloody Graham.
*
***
*****
***
*
CHAPTER 8
Keiko and Julian
“Now that we’re alone can you cook some dinner? I’m starving.” Julian said as the captain roared off in his boat leaving them on the Island of Caño.
Keiko half frowned and threw a can of soup to him. “Here, open this and get the camp stove going. I think there is a box of crackers in here somewhere,” she said as she started unpacking the box of supplies.
“Jackpot, energy bars,” she said as she opened the box and ripped one open. “Let’s eat these on the way. We can hike up the hill and start looking.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, you’re spitting food. Is the honeymoon over before it even began?”
Julian came up from behind and bear hugged Keiko. He started kissing Keiko on the back of the neck. He whispered in her ear, “It can wait until morning. “It’s almost sunset and I’d really like to take advantage of you here on the beach under the stars.”
Keiko swiveled around in his arms and kissed him. “Maybe it can wait until tomorrow, but by under the stars I hope you meant in the tent.”
“Sure whatever,” he said through his kisses as he walked her while he held her, into the tent for his favorite activity he had planned for on his honeymoon.
The stars twinkled back and forth above the tent unseen and unnoticed, seeming to wink in happiness at the two star crossed lovers enjoying their life together the way a man and wife should.
***
“Now I’m really hungry,” Keiko said when they came out of the tent. “Look at the sky. All the stars!”
Julian looked up, “It’s like the desert. When you get away from all the city lights, you can see the edge of our galaxy so much more clearly. Amazing isn’t it?”
Keiko went up and hugged Julian. The steady rhythm of the waves washing up on the beach, the moonlight and the starlight, just made the whole island magical.
“I think I can actually feel the earth moving beneath my feet. It’s disorienting, so many stars...”
“You really are a city girl, aren’t you?” Julian laughed. A slight breeze was enough to keep the heat at bay along with the no see-ums and the mosquitoes.
�
��I feel like we are in paradise. I wonder how Bennett Graham felt? I wonder if he loved anyone, and what made him leave a respected job to become a pirate. Right now I have so many questions and no answers.”
Julian hugged Keiko back, “Don’t look now, but I just saw a flash of light out at sea. There’s a boat off the coast. It’s bobbing on the waves. Someone in the cabin below has a light on that shows when it rises up on a wave. It could be a friend or foe, and they could be watching us with night vision or regular binoculars. Since you are facing me, pretend I’m at twelve o’clock. The boat would be at eight o’clock. I’m going to open the soup and put it on the camp stove. You go to the box for another bar, come hug me from behind, and tell me if you see it as you rest your head on my back while I cook.”
“Okay.” Keiko stood on her toes and kissed Julian’s chin. “But kiss me first and make it look real.”
Julian did as he was asked. Julian broke away and went to get the can. He pulled back the thumb ring, and poured the contents into the pan. He turned up the flame as he added a bottle of water and stirred the pot. Keiko came out of the tent with her can of sparkling water, set it down next to the stove, and hugged Julian from behind. She watched in the distance and counted. By the time she hit seven she saw the flash of light, then it was gone. She counted again, and once again when she hit seven, it appeared again.
“I see it. So what are you thinking?” she asked.
“I honestly don’t know. It might not be the only vessel out there. Sleep with your gun near you. Actually, I have a better idea. From that angle they can’t possibly see the front of the tent well. After we eat we’ll go in, turn off the light, then sneak out. We’ll sleep in another tent closer to the tree line. If someone approaches the beach tent, we’ll know. We can set up a trip factor.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, but okay, I’d feel safer sleeping where they don’t know where we are.”
“Are you game to head up the trail at the first light of dawn?”
“Yes. Anything is better than being a sitting duck.”
“Great. Bring the shovel, map, water, and bars. I’ll carry rope and the rest of our supplies. We’ll set up the glow stick alarm system which we’ll be able to see from up the hill, in case anyone breaks the perimeter.”
“You know Julian, being here on the island so far from help in the middle of the night...well now I just feel stupid thinking nothing could go wrong. There are modern day pirates, and we’re the ones that found the star, so now I suddenly pop up in an area known to have tons of buried treasure. Of course, they would think I ran across a clue to where it’s at and we’re checking it out.”
“That’s why Dad gave us all the information. He thought you were being incredibly naive.”
“What did you think, Julian?”
“I thought a honeymoon in an exotic location equals lots of sex.”
Keiko playfully punched Julian.
“Come on, what do you expect a guy to think about when he’s taking his honeymoon with his hot wife? It’s normal.”
“I meant about others thinking we have a clue to a treasure.”
“Sure. They might. We didn’t exactly come equipped to haul the stuff out. The worst they could do is track us to see if we have information to the location. But I am here on my honeymoon, with my incredible wife, so if they’re male, I’m sure they’ll assume I’d rather be spending my time in bed with you.” Julian kissed her on the head. “Don't worry, I always have a healthy dose of paranoia drilled into me by Ray. Not to mention that in Iraq, the cutest kids could be sent out into the road concealing a bomb. I lost a leg from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't put anything past modern pirates especially keeping an eye on us. They might be observing us while we're out here, but if they suspect we've found the treasure, or a treasure, they'll look for evidence of that when we get back. If we find it, then we need to worry. They won’t want us to share the information of its location.”
“Great. If we find it, then we’re in danger. That makes me feel better.” Keiko hugged Julian harder.
“Let’s enjoy tonight, and get up before dawn to hike up the mountain. With any luck they’ll assume we’re sleeping late. We know where we’re going with the help of the map and the GPS coordinates you’ve targeted. If we find it, maybe we can sneak back before they even suspect we’re up.”
Keiko smiled, “You’re right.” She encircled Julian with her arms and with her fingers entwined in his hair, gently coaxed him to her waiting lips for a long slow kiss.
***
Gaspar the Pirate, Randall, and Bennett 1826
“He has taken many ships over the years.”
Randall raised his eyebrows and looked at the guard. “Is that so?”
“The first I heard of him was several years ago.” Gaspar burped and held out his mug again for a refill of the ale, “Bloody Graham made the men of the Valasperio walk the plank to their deaths, but not before he bloodied them with fifty lashes a piece. A pirate named Gemand escaped by hiding a sharp blade under his tongue. He held his breath and cut the rope tied to a shot that was to take him to his watery grave. He saved two other men who could swim as they hit the water, by diving down and cutting them free. The King of Spain’s own nephew, a passenger on the ship escorting the treasure, went down with the ship.”
He took another swig off his mug, and pounded his chest which helped produce a long healthy burp.
Randall turned his head out of the way of the smelly blast.
“Bloody Graham has not an ounce of mercy in his soul. He roams the outer islands looking for those unlucky enough to be blown off course. Aye, it be true, there is a King’s ransom on his head. He’s not a Spaniard like the rest of us, but a bloody Englander. Some rumored he deserted the Royal Navy, others say he was raised as Cook’s cabin boy, then left to fend for himself in the thieves’ colony that was wiped out by a big blow, and an earthquake goin’ on nigh ten years ago. His first ship was blown onto the beach where he took it and fit with his crew and those that would turn.” Gaspar paused and took another swig of his drink, “He took the treasure off a Spanish galleon La Croix, more gold than any man can imagine and now he sits rich, hiding it from the looters, kings and common men alike.”
“How many men are under his command?” Randall asked.
Gaspar nodded. “He built a full crew of fierce men. Over two hundred. I would not go messing with him with less than three hundred myself. He’s crafty too. Slides at you from out of the dark and the fog firing his guns then taking what he wants. You think you can wait here for him? Your trick will not work. I am sure he heard the guns and saw the smoke. Bloody Graham cannot be caught unawares.”
“Who has issued a ransom on his head?”
Gaspar took a swig from his mug before answering, “He will meet his end by his fellow thieves long afore he would need to worry about the bounty on his head. The Kings of England, Spain, and Portugal would all pay a pretty piece to the men who bring him in.” Gaspar drained the last of the drink. “I have no more tales. Those are all that have been relayed to me.”
He leaned back and stifled a burp, “Where’s my whore?”
Randall motioned for the guards to take the drunken pirate to the women’s quarters.
He walked to Bennett’s tent. The wind had picked up considerably and soon all would be waiting in the caves.
Bennett was alone with one cabin boy in the cave being used for a command post. After greeting and dismissing the boy to wait out of hearing, Randall said, “He does not suspect we—you are bloody Graham. Rather they suspect we are of the Royal Navy, here to stamp out the pirate activity. One sailor escaped, and saved two others, and from there your legend has grown. You are ruthless, whip men to within an inch of their lives, and you were raised as a cabin boy to Captain Cook, having been abandoned on an island where you were left to your own wits. Your first ship was one that ran aground in unfortunate weather. Some of the crew turned to serve you...and that is wher
e you are now.”
Bennett chuckled. “And here we are, legend and lies.”
Randall shrugged. “It’s rumored you take ships that wander too close to shore outside the shipping routes, which means other pirates are afraid to come here to confront you.”
“If only that holds true,” Bennett answered.
***
The Storm
Mary took Ben to the cave along with the things she held most precious, her picture of Bennett and a case containing some paints and canvas. The men were busy setting up her room in the cave. The cave felt chilly and damp so she stayed outside the entrance watching the wind pick up and waiting for the rain. When it came, then she would head in with Ben. He played on a blanket with his toys made of wood. Happy to play at war. The rain started to fall. Mary spoke, “Ben, grab your toys and head inside the cave, please.” Mary picked up his blanket and headed inside.
***
Bennett made his way around camp making sure all was secure for the big blow that was about to hit. On land this high up from the beach, wind, falling trees, rocks, and rushing waters down the sides and in the passages of the caves created by the long silent volcano were the real threat to their lives. He had to see the furniture had been moved, the livestock secured, and those aboard the Devonshire had set the anchors with plenty of slack in the chain for the waves. Eight months had passed on the island since the last big storm. Now they had more to lose. The largest cave system wound through the old volcano complete with upper rooms, lower rooms and many winding passages. It was where the men and the women moved in to shelter them from the worst of the wind. Unfortunately, the caves would not all remain dry. They knew from experience where the rain would flow in from the top of the mountain, and avoided those caves and passageways, but the benefit of the tunnels was the protection they provided from the wind for the next day or two.
They had so much more now than when they’d first arrived. More to secure, and keep safe from blowing away. Their world was growing, which was worrisome when thrown in with a sense of peace that that was the way things should be. If you weren’t living, you were dying. If you weren’t growing, you were dying. Therefore living and growth were preferable to the alternative. A ship ran on the premise that supplies were a resource that meant the difference between life and death. You survived on your ability to recognize and grow those resources when the opportunity presented itself. Seaweed could be a lifesaver, along with fish and the stray floating coconut. Rain was collected and kept in barrels. Salt, while too much could kill, would work as a preservative for meat, and a way to clean out wounds.