“If I may be so bold,” I said, stepping forward. “I am a healer of sorts and am familiar with many herbal remedies for aches, pains, and common illnesses. I can set bones and know how to cleanse and bandage wounds. I would be happy to lend my service alongside my husband’s during the voyage to South Carolina in exchange for my passage.”
The Captain’s eyes narrowed as he stared at me. I could almost see the wheels spinning in his head. He would get an extra deckhand, substitute doctor, and coin in exchange for a cabin that was likely to be sitting empty when he set sail. The chance that a better offer would come his way before Sunday was slim to none.
“I usually would not give up a cabin for as paltry a sum as this is,” he finally said as he ran our coins through his fingers. “But I am in need of a ship’s doctor and cannot secure the services of another until we land in Jamaica. Thus, if you still want it, the cabin is yours. The journey will take around six to seven days depending on the wind. We set sail at first tide on Sunday. If you are not aboard by then, we leave without you and your silver will not be returned. Have I made myself clear?”
Micah nodded and humbly thanked the Captain, who then called to his First Mate.
“Mr. Deems, show these good people the doctor’s cabin. They will be traveling with us to Charles Town, South Carolina. The woman is a healer and will substitute for the doctor during our voyage. The man will work under your direction. They also have a child of tender years and it will be your responsibility, Mr. Deems, to assure that nothing untoward happens to her during our voyage.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” replied the First Mate. “Come with me.”
We followed Mr. Deems down the hall to a smaller cabin on the opposite side of the ship.
The room was basic. There was a large hammock for sleeping, which we could all squeeze into, a dresser with water pitcher and bowl, and a few pegs on the wall to hang one’s clothing.
“She’s nowhere near as fancy as the Captain’s,” the mate explained as we left the room. “But it’s big enough for three. I ‘specks you, sir, will be spending most of your time on deck or in the crow’s nest.”
“What’s the crow’s nest?” I asked as we returned to the main deck.
Mr. Deems laughed. “Up there.”
As he spoke he pointed to a basket attached near the top of the tallest mast.
Just the thought of my Micah climbing up to that place struck fear in my heart and I stumbled, feeling faint.
Mr. Deems grabbed my elbow to prevent me from falling.
“There, there, missus,” he said softly. “Never fear. I won’t let anything happen to your man. But he’ll work hard and earn his keep. We’ve no place for slackers on this vessel. And as for you and your daughter, you’ll keep to your cabin unless you’re needed. You may take the air on deck once each evening, but you’ll stay to yourselves. Some of the men don’t look kindly on having a woman on board even if she is a healer. Do you understand?”
I nodded. “Yes, we’ll keep to ourselves and make no trouble.”
“Aye,” he replied. “Now mind what the Captain told you. First tide, Sunday, and don’t be late.”
When we returned to Micah’s cousins’, we informed them of our plans.
“So soon?” questioned Levi. “You just arrived.”
“Aye,” replied Micah. “Our business in the Carolinas is urgent. We cannot tarry longer.”
Obviously disappointed, Levi nodded, then he and Micah went outside for a smoke.
“I will be sad to see you go,” said Rebecca. “It has been a pleasure to have the company of another woman.”
“I’ll leave you some herbs and tea that will help soothe your cough,” I said to the younger woman.
She smiled sadly. “Do not worry yourself over me. I know my fate. I only pray that Levi does not hesitate to find another bride so that our children are taken care of.”
I nodded, then, without further conversation, we proceeded to make supper.
Later that night, in bed, I told Micah what she had said.
“She knows, Micah.”
“Aye and so does Levi. And, as much as he loves her, he knows she is right. After she goes to God, he must make haste to find another wife.”
“I fear for them, Husband.”
“So do I, Wife. But we must think of our own family first. We have to bring Samuel home.”
With those words, he wrapped his arms around me and held me close. I lay my head against his chest, saddened by the world we were living in.
On Sunday, we made first tide and began the second leg of our journey to free young Samuel. Surprisingly, though I’d been on ships many times and had never been sick, the constant rolling and pitching of the Adventure caused me to run to the privy bucket every morning without fail. Sarah, following my instructions, brewed me a tea of ginger and chamomile, which helped and made it possible for me to keep some food down.
Each day, Micah was up at dawn and did not return to the cabin until well past sunset. Initially, he came back exhausted and practically fell asleep before finishing his evening meal. But soon, he adjusted to the workload and sat up late with us, telling stories of the crew and what the world looked like from the lofty crow’s nest.
I was called upon several times during the voyage to tend to the crew. At first some of the men looked upon me with suspicion and it was common to see them make the sign of the cross when I was out on deck. But as my ministrations produced results, their fears faded and they grudgingly accepted my company.
As for my health, I continued to suffer from seasickness and could not wait for the voyage to end. I tried everything I knew of to calm my stomach, but nothing seemed to work. Thus, I was glad when, on the sixth day of our voyage, the Adventure docked in Charles Town Harbor.
As we gathered our meager belongings together, I was surprised by a knock on the cabin door. Micah hurried to answer it.
“Captain,” he said, stepping out into the hallway. “How good of you to come by. I want to thank you for the hospitality you’ve shown to my family. We will be off your vessel inside the hour.”
Not invited to join the conversation, I stood quietly, listening.
The Captain smiled, then reached into the pocket of his waistcoat. “You more than earned your passage, laddie. Here, I’m refunding half. And, when you finish with your business in Charles Town – and dire business I’m afraid it is – think about booking passage and sailing to Jamaica. You are a hard worker and also know your letters and numbers. I can always use a man with your skills. If you decide to come, look for me or my man, Deems, at the Blue Dove Tavern.”
Micah grinned from ear to ear and pocketed the money. “Thank you, Captain. I’ll think on it and discuss your offer with my wife.”
The Captain nodded. “There’ll be work for your missus, too. We can always use a good midwife and healer. And, the lad you told me about – he could sign on as a cabin boy should you feel so inclined.”
“Thank you, sir. I am sure Samuel would be grateful for your confidence.”
The Captain patted Micah on the shoulder. “Good day to you, sir. And, I hope you conclude your business swiftly and amiably.”
Micah nodded and shook the Captain’s hand. Having said his piece, Captain Kidd left us.
“What was that all about?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“Did you not hear?” responded Micah. “The Captain refunded us half our coin.”
He said no more and, since I had overheard the entire conversation, I stood before him, waiting.
“What is it, Maude?” he asked. “Could it be that you heard more than you’ve let on? Could you be a little eavesdropper?”
His voice was stern and I bit my lip, ashamed. “Aye,” I finally said, bowing my head. “I heard everything.”
Micah looked at me for a moment, his face serious. Then, unable to maintain his mask of anger, laughed.
“Oh, my sweet Maude, how could you not listen in? You are a marvel and I keep no secrets f
rom you.”
I blushed as he leaned over and kissed me soundly on the lips.
“We’ll talk about all this later,” he said. “And, I will keep nothing back. But, now, we must depart this vessel as the Captain is soon to set sail for the islands.”
“Yes, Husband,” I answered meekly, then grabbed our belongings and, with our daughter in tow, hurried to debark the Adventure.
46
The Diary Of Maude Prichard
Charles Town
ONCE BACK ON land, we walked from the wharf toward the town.
“Mr. Deems,” said Micah, “advised me to seek out the Hanged Woman Tavern. He says the innkeeper there is a pleasant sort and will rent us a safe room and will not cheat us.”
I stopped dead in my tracks, the name of the inn bringing back memories that were still too fresh.
“Maude?” Micah asked. “Are you all right?”
“The name of the tavern … it is a bad omen.”
Seeing my distress, Micah put down our valise and placed his hands on my shoulders. “Maude, it’s just a name. It means nothing. No evil. I would not take you to a place like that.”
Biting my bottom lip to keep from crying, I nodded. “I know. It’s just … the name is so ominous. And the carnage that took place at Storm Island is still so near.”
“I will keep you safe, my Maude. Do you not trust me?”
“Aye, I trust thee with my life.”
“Then, let’s go. It will be dark soon and I don’t want you and Sarah out on these streets at night. We are too close to the waterfront where all sorts of hooligans and thieves hang out.”
Nodding again, I kept in step with him, my hand firmly clasped in his. Our daughter walked by my side.
When we arrived at the Hanged Woman, I was surprised. Despite its dark and gloomy name, the tavern seemed a respectable place and, inside, were not only ruffians from the waterfront, but ordinary people out for a meal or a pint of ale.
Micah left us standing just inside the door whilst he sought out the innkeeper. He returned shortly thereafter, a rotund little man by his side.
“Maude, this is Mr. Alport, the innkeeper. He says he has but one room left and, though it be small, it’s cozy and safe.”
I nodded, smiling. “Good evening to you, Mr. Alport. We thank you for your hospitality.”
The little man blushed. “All in a day’s work, missus,” he said. “Now, let me take your bags and you have a seat at that table over there. I can see you’re in need of a hot meal.”
Without another word, Mr. Alport scurried away, the weight of our luggage not bothering him in the least.
We sat at a long table peopled by other customers. In no time at all, Mr. Alport came back, carrying a tray that held three steaming bowls of soup.
“I’ll bring ye some bread in a moment. Would ye like a tankard of ale?”
He addressed this question to Micah, who nodded. “Aye, that would be lovely.”
“And would the ladies like tea?”
“We thank you for your kindness,” I answered.
Again, he scurried away and Micah, Sarah and I began to enjoy our meal. He returned with ale for Micah and tea for Sarah and I. He also brought a loaf of warm bread for us to enjoy.
We ate silently for a time. The inn’s crowd was beginning to thin out and, when things quieted down, the innkeeper joined us at the table.
“And, what is your business here in Charles Town?” he asked. “Are ye settling here?”
Micah shook his head. “No, sir. We’re just passing through looking for work. Are you familiar with the estates near the shore?”
The man nodded. “Aye. There are several that might be needing a hand. What type of work are you looking for?”
“Oh, most anything. I’ve experience as a farrier, but I do not shirk from manual labor.”
Alport nodded. “And your wife?”
“She’s a healer and midwife.”
“Good, good. Folks are always in need of an experienced midwife.”
He continued on, telling us about some of the plantations in the vicinity, ones he thought would be appropriate for a young family such as ours.
Micah made a big show of being interested and, when Alport finished his recitation, smiled.
“I’ve heard of a man named Morrison who has a place out here. Do you know of him?”
The innkeeper’s eyebrows lifted. “Not a man I would recommend, sir,” he said. “Not a good man at all.”
“And, why do you say that, sir?”
Alport took a deep breath, glancing around the room as if to ensure that no one was listening.
“There’s just something about him, sir,” he whispered. “Something wrong.”
As he spoke, he made the sign of the cross to ward off evil.
Micah leaned across the table, toward the innkeeper.
“What do you mean by wrong?” he whispered.
The innkeeper took a deep breath. “His plantation – he does not work it, yet it thrives. Unnatural, it seems. He bothers not with social amenities. Keeps to himself. However, recently it may be that he has had a change of heart.”
“What do you mean?” Micah asked.
“He journeyed up north for a time. When he returned, he had a ward in tow – a young lad of about eleven or twelve years. He made a big show not long back of bringing the boy to town and parading him around. Told people that the boy was to be his heir.”
My heart leapt into my throat and it was all I could do to keep from crying out.
Samuel!
That old conjurer had told people that my son was to inherit his estate.
Why would he do that?
The answer was only too clear. He would steal my son’s body, leaving his own to die. Thus, when he lived his new life he would keep all that he’d previously owned, losing nothing but my sweet Samuel’s soul.
I knew now that time was of the essence. I only prayed that we weren’t too late.
Micah continued questioning the innkeeper about Morrison until it became obvious that the man was becoming suspicious of our motives. Not wanting to displease him, Micah deftly changed the subject.
“And, now,” he said, yawning. “I think it’s time that we retire for the evening. My poor daughter is half asleep already.”
Thanking the innkeeper again, Micah lifted Sarah in his arms and, with me trailing behind, led us to our room.
Once inside, we put Sarah to bed and, when she was sleeping soundly, sat down to discuss what we had learned that evening.
“He has Samuel here, to be sure,” I said. “And, if I’m right, he’s going to make his move soon.”
“Aye, I have to agree with you, Wife. We got here not a moment too soon. Now, what is our plan?”
I took my husband’s hands in mine. “This is on me, Micah. It is my burden to confront the man and make him release his hold on our boy.”
Micah began to object, but I shushed him. “Understand, my love, it has to be me who makes this wrong right. For it was I he tricked into a bargain. And, only I have the power to stop him. Your job will be to keep Sarah safe and, should anything happen to me, get her away from this place before the old man can take further revenge.”
I sat silent as Micah struggled with this. It was contrary to his nature to not be the defender of his family. But, finally, he nodded.
“All right. We’ll do it your way. But I’m going to stay close should you need me. I will not let that man destroy my family, especially now with another on the way.”
My eyes widened in surprise. What was he talking about?
Micah looked at me and laughed. “Maude, don’t you realize I know the signs? Early morning sickness, day in, day out.”
“But that was just the sickness of the sea,” I replied.
“No, Maude. You have always been a hearty sailor. Never have I seen you succumb to the pitching and tossing of a ship. But when you were with child, every morning you raced to the privy chamber, leaving your breakfa
st or dinner behind. You are pregnant, Wife, and I’m glad of it.”
I sat back, stunned, realizing he was right. But how had I missed the signs? I was the midwife in the family. Then it came to me – I had convinced myself that, after the terrible miscarriage I’d experienced on Storm Island, I would never again bare a child. How foolish that assumption seemed now.
Micah leaned forward and placed his hand on my belly.
“A child – perhaps a son – a little brother for Samuel.”
47
Kate
I SAT BACK, puzzled.
What the hell was going on? Maude said that Morrison was going to steal the boy’s body? What was that all about?
I took a deep breath. Was Maude stark, raving mad? It seemed so. How could one man steal another’s body? That was stuff right out of The Twilight Zone.
I checked my watch. Was I just wasting my time here? Instead of this foolishness, I could be caring for the man I loved.
I started to rise from my chair, but as soon as I did the little oil lamp began to flicker almost angrily and two words popped into my mind.
Have patience.
Who said that? I thought.
I glanced around the room – there was no one here but me.
Shaking my head, I sat back down. I checked my pager again to make sure it was still charged and picked the diary up from the desk where I’d laid it. I was almost at the end. Would I learn anything by the time I finished it?
Not knowing, I took a sip of the never-ending tea and continued to read…
48
The Diary Of Maude Prichard
The Morrison Estate
WE WOKE EARLY and made ready for the journey to the Morrison plantation. We ate a sparse breakfast then Micah, following the innkeeper’s instructions, left us in search of a wagon he could borrow or rent. He returned an hour later.
The Tao of the Viper: A Kate Pomeroy Mystery (The Kate Pomeroy Gothic Mystery Series Book 2) Page 17