by Lisa Grace
He turned back to glance at her.
“Privately?” she asked. She flashed a smile but glanced down the way a woman should when talking to a man who was not her husband.
He gestured for her to walk beside him. He led her to the upper deck where there was only one guard on duty away from the masses on the deck below.
“Yes? What is it you require of me?” he asked.
“I would like the whole crew, those that will come, assigned to work on the land grant. We plan to grow crops. In return, we have master craftsmen I can assign to make your home in town as beautiful as the fine furniture you must have brought with you. I ask for your mercy. These men have been assigned here for the rest of their lives to hard labor away from the sea and their loved ones. They are being punished.” Mary stopped for emphasis then continued, “I will take full responsibility for the feed and care of the men and women on this ship, if you will allow me that luxury.”
The governor laughed, then really looked at Mary for the first time, “The Van Klennon’s land grant I’ve given you is yours because Van Klennon and his family were killed by the aborigines. I will assign the prisoners to your care as it is less of a headache for me. They are your responsibility now.”
“Thank you, governor.” Mary curtsied.
He turned to go back to the deck below. “I will speak to the guard. Have your carpenters report to work at my home as soon as you have had time to settle in. I look forward to seeing what they are capable of.”
Mary smiled and joined the crew on the main deck. The atmosphere of dread had turned to one of anticipation. Those that had lived on Shark Island knew they could build a life here. And those on the ship who had seen how they worked together on the voyage over, thanks to Lt. Gregory and Lt. Kerry, were just glad to be part of a group that could shield them against the unknown.
***
Mary and the Lieutenants secured some horses and two carts to haul the belongings they had brought from the mainland to the former Van Klennon’s land grant. It ran along the border of the forests on the outskirts of the settlement. Once off the ship, Mary turned to Betsy, her ever present companion and now self-appointed personal assistant, and asked, “Would you seat Miss Jane next to one of the drivers of the carts?” Ms. Jane was the name they had given to the old deaf and half-blind woman. Her eyes were thick with a coating of yellowish white. Her mind had dwindled to the point she could not tell anyone her name, so they called her Jane. She could not possibly walk to the land grant. Mary could not afford to transport all the crew to the property. What money and valuables she had left needed to be used for trade for items that were necessary for their survival. All the able bodied, including herself, would have to walk. The other spot was given to a sailor’s wife, who had just given birth.
Mr. Kerry inquired of the guard in charge, the one who had paled when told they were assigned the Van Klennon’s old land grant, “Sir, perhaps you can provide directions on how to get the Van Klennon’s?”
He nodded, “When you start to see the rain forest, follow the path out of town. It will narrow to the width of your cart. It’s the land with the whitewashed wood home and a half-painted wood barn on account the family was killed before it was finished. The rest of their workers who survived took off. They were attacked in the middle of the night when the crew was asleep.”
Mr. Kerry nodded. “May I ask how they were killed? We will assign guards to night watch, but it would be helpful to know what to expect. What weapons are they known to use?”
“They make long spears and short spears using sharp fishbone tips. They use a womera to launch their spears, it makes them travel further. They will use their spears first. Then when they get close, if you are not dead, they will use an axe or a club to finish you off.” The man looked off towards the mountain, squinting in the bright light as the sun came out from behind a cloud. He continued, “They use something called a boomerang on small animals. It is a wide v shaped piece of wood that they throw, and it comes back to them, like magic. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. They make heavier ones too in the desert area made from the mulga tree, to hunt a beast they call kangaroos. Kangaroos can be small or taller than a man.”
“Kang-a-roos?” Mr. Kerry repeated.
“They hop on two feet, and can kick like a horse. Kill a man. Do not be fooled by their unusual look. They have the face of a deer, and the back haunches like a rabbit. They have a long tail for balance.”
Mr. Kerry shifted his weight to his other foot.
“They graze like cows.”
Mr. Kerry raised his eyebrows.
The guard laughed. “I can see you doubt my word. When you see one you will know it for what it is. Be careful. Who knows what other unusual creatures are hiding in the forests that border the land.”
***
As soon as the carts were loaded, Mary, accompanied by Mr. Gregory and Betsy, bartered for food and barrels of fresh water. They added to their supplies. Nets and spears made by the locals for fishing, and baskets of ingenious design, made for fishing or sifting seeds. Once equipped, they set off for the farm. It took an hour of walking before they arrived.
Mr. Kerry barked out orders calling twenty of the men by name. “Form a perimeter around the house. Shield yourself behind cover as the natives use spears. Take sticks or whatever you can find to use as a weapon. Call out if you see anything suspicious.”
Mary looked at the house. It was a two story. She went inside. It was a simple design. A hallway ran down the center with a staircase to the second floor. Six rooms were on the first floor and six rooms on the second. The rooms looked as if the family were away on a trip. Dusty but intact. Upstairs in the bedrooms Mary saw what appeared to be rust stains. She realized it was blood. She quickly left.
There was an outbuilding for a kitchen, and another, smaller two story building with the same design as the house. The furnishings were handmade. A plain table, chairs and beds furnished the various rooms. Mary surmised it was for the workers and the servants.
The barn was designed in the European style of a country gentleman. It consisted of two stories. The first had eight stalls, four on each side, with an open area to park carriages. In the open area remained a carriage, which was leaning to one side. Mary walked around it and saw the broken wheel. Through the open area to the other side bordering the fields was the hay storage area. It was two stories tall, with a floor above which was open to the center below to make it possible to toss down the hay.
Above the horse stalls were men’s quarters. Bunks lined the entire floor with crudely built drawers lining the walls between the bunks. At the foot of the bunks stood some trunks. Three of them were left with various belongings still inside. The men had left or were perhaps among those killed in the attack.
After Mary, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Gregory, and Betsy had walked through the buildings, they met in the main house.
Mary spoke first. “I think we can fit most of the women and the children in this house. We can put guards around the perimeter to keep them safe. Those that want to remain with their husbands can board in the smaller house. The rest of the men can make their home in the barn. We will build small houses as soon as we can to give people their privacy.”
Mr. Gregory spoke up, “While the buildings will be crowded, everyone will be sheltered. It is a good plan.”
Mr. Kerry spoke, “I would like to be in charge of defense. Does anyone object?”
Mary looked to Mr. Gregory who spoke, “Thank you, Mr. Kerry, with the threats we face we need to maintain a military front.”
Mary nodded in agreement.
“May I speak?” Mrs. Betsy asked.
“Yes.” All three answered at once.
“If we assign twenty men to guard, there are ninety-seven left. Subtract us four, and the women and children, there are sixty-one left to work. Some, like Miss Jane, can’t do much.”
“Miss Jane can peel potatoes or shuck corn. We will find a way to make her feel useful
,” Mary said.
“How many carpenters do we have?” Mary asked.
Mr. Gregory spoke up, “We have eleven men with woodworking skills, and seven with farming. We have the ship’s blacksmith. The rest are life-long seamen with skills such as twining rope, sewing of masts, cooking, navigation, cleaning or gunnery skills. Some can fish.”
Mary nodded. “Our priority should be to see to the fields. What is growing and what can be salvaged. We can get our livestock settled.”
“Food, shelter, and defense are our top priorities. Getting the farm up and running is our goal,” Mr. Gregory added.
“Once we have seen to the farm, we will need to clear some forest for the wood. We need to build more homes,” Mr. Kerry said.
“If Mr. Kerry is running defense, I can assist Mr. Gregory in running the farm. I grew up on a hacienda so I am quite familiar with what needs to be done. I also love to ride.” Mary smoothed down her hair, “Betsy, can I have you see to the homes and getting the women busy sewing, cleaning, and supplying water for the household?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Who was the head cook onboard the Devonshire?” Mary asked.
“That would be Mr. Doyle. I will have him get his crew and set up the kitchen with what he needs,” Mr. Gregory said.
“So he will be in charge of the cellar, smokehouse, kitchen, and pantry. Miss Betsy, can you assist Mr. Doyle to get a list of what he needs in setting up his kitchen again?”
“Yes, Mrs. Graham.”
“I think we have enough duties to keep us busy for a few days. Let us get busy making this place our home.”
***
The Attack
The construction of a new home was almost complete. Two of the Van Klennon’s horses had been found. Either the aborigines had no use for them or they hadn’t managed to trap the horses in the thick vegetation. The Van Klennon’s horses came out of the brush the first night when the horses they had brought were let loose in the pasture. The men quickly repaired the fence and closed them in with the gate. The hens were settled in the hen house between the kitchen and the barn, and the goats let out to roam with the horses.
The first night passed with no one but the children sleeping. The blood stains had been scrubbed and rugs pulled over the wood to hide what remained. The wind blew, whispering through the trees or were those voices the women wondered, as they glanced nervously out the windows looking to spot the killers that would be almost as dark as the very night. They would catch a shadowy movement and stifle a scream after realizing it was just one of the men sitting outside guarding the house. Life settled into a routine.
“We need to cut the trees on the south side. The woods are too close to the pasture to guard effectively and we need the land cleared to build more homes,” Lt. Gregory said.
“Fine, do it,” Mary said as she sat in her makeshift office reviewing the books.
“I have spoken to Mr. Kerry and we agree once we start in earnest, the aborigines are bound to see this as an invasion into their land. I fully expect them to attack at this time.”
“What can we do? We need the wood. What are your suggestions?”
“I would like the governor to supply us with more men to watch the perimeter. The natives have had plenty of time to observe our habits and how we work. I would like you to ask the governor for rifles and pistols. Either men on loan who are armed, or if you can buy his trust, we could use some permanently for our guards. Baker rifles, army issue, and Light Dragoon flintlock pistols, plus sufficient shot to practice and standoff attacks.”
Mary dropped her hands on the books, then rubbed her forehead, “What can we trade for guns?”
“Wood, labor, fish, the promise of future crops...whatever the governor has need of.”
Mary said, “Ready the carriage. I will take a visit to the governor. Ms. Betsy? We are taking a trip into town.”
***
The Governor
“We are loathe to put guns in the hands of new criminals. I would not put it past former convicted pirates to use the opportunity to capture a ship to return to a life they seem to relish.”
“The Devonshire’s men would not do that. They were wrongly accused and are here because of politics.”
The governor shrugged. “Be that as it may, you will have to hire guards to watch over the land and pay for them.”
Mary nodded. “I planned to. What do you seek in return?”
“You have already promised your carpenters to work on my home, which pleases my wife immensely. I would like to make use of your smithy also. I need work done on my carriages and spare wheels. The roads have been rough. Nails are also a necessity in short supply. He can make me a keg full. Send him to me when you can spare him.”
Mary nodded and stood, “Of course. When can I expect your men?”
“Tonight, before dark falls, I will send over ten armed men who enjoy hunting the aborigines.”
Mary, with concern on her face said, “I do not want to kill them, we merely wish to be left in peace.”
The governor smiled, “The natives have no such qualms. They will kill. Women and children, too. We are planning a purge of the island soon. In another month once we have received a thousand more prisoners, we will be walking to the base of the mountains, capturing and consigning the rest of the native survivors to the small island just off our coast. I cannot have them attacking and killing anytime they see fit.”
***
Mary rode back and went to find Lt. Gregory. He was out at the far end of the south field surveying what trees would need to be cut. Lt. Gregory wiped at his brow with a handkerchief which he then stuffed in his back pocket, “We should build a crow’s nest a top the barn and the house. We can post men to watch for movement in the trees. The natives’ spears cannot travel as far as our shot, and the posted men can call out the position of attackers. More than anything they may serve as a deterrent.”
“Yes, it would give the watchmen an advantage,” Mary said in agreement.
“The governor promised ten armed men before nightfall so we can begin the clearing in the morning. We will lose our smithy for a while, and some iron, but that is the price we will have to pay. He has a plan to clear the land of the natives and ship them to the smaller island.”
“He can clear the land of the threat none too quick for my liking,” Lt. Gregory said as he sighed and put his hands on his hips while looking towards the menacing forest. “When I think of the women and children who were slaughtered in their sleep…”
“Please, let us not speak of it. It makes me glad I could not bring little Ben. I would not want to put him in danger. He is all I have left of his father.” Mary wiped quickly at her eyes.
Lt. Gregory spoke, “I am sorry, Mrs. Graham. You lost so much. Thank you for sticking by us.”
Mary nodded and tried to smile though her expression looked pained, “I was wrong. Ben is not all I have left of Bennett. I have all the men of the Devonshire. I expect to see Bennett walk around the side of a building any moment. It helps.”
“I keep looking for him too, Mrs.”
They smiled at each other then took their leave to get back to the chores waiting on their return.
***
Mary awoke in the dead of the night to the sound of pop, pop, pop. She turned to face Betsy’s bunk as she sat up quickly in her bed.
“We must be under attack!” Betsy said.
Betsy picked up a red hot fire poker out of the fire and went quickly up the stairs shushing the waking children as they questioned what was happening. They assembled the children in the corner of the biggest bedroom, pulled the canvas covered mattress in front of them to block against thrown spears, and used the open door as a shield. Betsy stood guard to the side of a window, with her fire poker still hot on the end, while one woman stood to the side of the other window brandishing a chair.
Shouts of the men could be heard from outside closely followed by the pops of more gunfire. Mary could stay in hiding
no longer. She took the fire shovel, and headed down the stairs and out the front door. She couldn’t see anyone. The scene outside the front of the house was all stillness and dark. She could hear a guard call out using nautical terms from the roof of the house. “Starboard, steerage!”
Mary froze. She mentally translated the nautical terms the sailors naturally used. She was on the aft, the front of the house. A native was coming up on the right side of the house. She crept to the right corner and drew back her shovel, trying to keep her breathing quiet. Suddenly she was face to face with a dark shadow. He was naked except for a cloth covering his manhood. He raised his arm in attack. She swung her shovel hard, hitting his arm as he brought down a club towards her head. Her last thought as she swung while seeing his club swing down was, Lord, I do not want to die this way, not today.
***
Keiko, Julian, and the Pirates
As Julian and Keiko dug in an ever widening circle, all they ran into was solid lava rock. Keiko paused, breathing hard and wiping at her face she spoke to their captors, “Look. There is nothing here but solid lava rock from the volcano. Digging here is useless.”
“What information did you have that led you to believe the treasure would be here?”
Keiko looked at Julian who nodded.
“This.” Keiko took out her copy of the map. “Obviously something is wrong, something I haven’t figured out yet. I don’t mind sharing it, because I’ve already given copies of the information to other researchers at the Smithsonian. If we don’t return, they will know who is responsible by whom they find at the site. Only those connected to me would have the information.”
The pirate took the map and looked at the numbers. “This is useless to me.” He proceeded to fold it up, and put it in his pocket. “We do have sources who can read it. We will save it for them. Where did you find this map?”
“In a child’s scrapbook that was donated to the Smithsonian.”
The gang member raised his eyebrows. “What led you to believe something in a child’s scrapbook would have any reason to be true?”
Keiko looked back to Julian who spoke, “We didn’t. We are here on our honeymoon and figured why not check out the coordinates? It seemed like it might be fun. We didn’t take it that seriously. If we did, don’t you think we would show up with reinforcements?”