Upon hearing the sound of the navigator’s name, Burton choked up, “Damn Jenson.” After letting out a painful sounding cough, he spewed out some incoherent rambling about the now missing navigator.
Listening to his grumbling, I compared his mumbled curse words with the marks and lines on the familiar maps, alongside the notes he had taken on the recent page in his log, and figured out what had happened.
Pointing at Jenson’s marks on the map, I whispered to Barlow, “It looks like Clarence was right about Jenson leading us off track, but you were right about the captain struggling to steer us back on course.”
Barlow patted his own back. “I may not be able to read a book, but I sure can read people’s characters.”
Thinking back upon his comment about how fat bottomed women clouded his otherwise stout judgment, I chuckled, “So it seems you can. Now, for your next useful deed, stay here to keep watch over the captain while I venture inland.” I rolled up the maps and stuffed them and the logbook in my sea bag. “I am going to take these things with me when I follow the stream. Maybe I can make some visual comparisons from a high point on this island. I’ll feel better about writing more in the logbook with a clearer understanding of where we are.”
“Good thinking, mate. And I’ll gladly stay right here by Burton’s side. I didn’t like how the men were so quick to count him as a dead man.”
I didn’t like it either. Nor did I like the way Boa was glaring at me as I put my coat and hat on.
“Well, don’t you look like the prince of the island in that fine coat,” he snorted as he slurped down the slab of rat meat off the skewer Dennel had roasted for him.
Smedley handed Boa a coconut he had picked, and said to me, “I’m a bit confused. Your coat says royalty, yet your bare feet say peasantry.”
They continued to tease me for looking so fine on the deserted island.
Not wanting to waste a lick of my rejuvenated energy on them, I prepared for my hike without responding. Removing my sword from my sea bag, I draped the baldric over my chest, then donned my axe on my belt and made sure my knife was in place. Ready to face any large animals or volatile people I may come across, I turned away from camp and wandered under the canopy of trees.
Peckadennel tagged along behind me. “Do you mind if we join you?” Peck asked.
“I don’t mind. In fact, I could use another opinion while I figure these things out.”
“We don’t know much, but it would be our honor to share our thoughts, sir.” Peck nudged Dennel.
“Sir? Eh, just call me Bentley,” I said, then thanked them for coming along.
Each step away from the shore grew hotter, and the amount of bugs swarming between the trees thickened in their masses. And of course, my bare feet seemed to find every sharp pebble on the path. Choosing to endure the heat over the bug bites, I fastened my coat buttons up to my neck, but there was no such solution for my feet. Doing my best to dodge rocks and spikey shrubs, I led the men up the slight incline from which the creek was running down. Before long, it vanished under a pile of rocks.
“That’s it?” Dennel asked.
“Well, that won’t last us very long.” Peck said.
Sliding my hand along the damp surface of the rocks, I said, “The water is running underground.” Finding a clean drip from beneath a cool dark boulder, I let it slowly fill my hand. After taking a revitalizing drink of the naturally filtered water, I suggested they do the same.
As they took turns filling their paws, I continued to examine the area. “The stream may resurface further up the trail. Let’s follow this path where the growth is thickest.”
“You know a bunch of things, Bentley,” Dennel said.
“Aye, how did you get so smart?” Peck asked.
“Ah, I am not that smart,” I said while leaping up on a boulder. “Everything I know about the earth and the weather is simple farmer knowledge, taught to me by my grandfather.”
“Aw, you’re lucky to have had a grandfather who taught you things. I’ve been an orphan all my pitiful days.” Peck said.
Dennel added. “Me too. Well, since I was seven. That’s when them awful Spaniards killed my pa. Luckily, I met Peck shortly after. We’ve been learning things alongside each other ever since.”
Spotting a thick growth of brush beneath a pile of massive boulders, I headed in that direction. “It seems you’ve taught each other well. You’re good men and I’ve never seen lumber so fine as the deck you cared for.”
“Do you mean it?” Dennel gasped.
“I don’t waste my breath saying things I don’t mean,” I said as I gazed upon the small pond that was rippling near the big, mossy face of the rock inside it. “Now, look at this. It appears to me that the water is coming from within the rocks. But you know what I just thought of…There were no big animals or prints along the path. There would be if this pond offered a steady supply. I bet this is just rain runoff and not a stable source of water. In that case, there will be no big game to hunt here. Hell, that rat we caught could very well have been from our own ship.” I began scaling the boulder pile.
Peckadennel followed behind me, rambling on about how much they admired the things I knew.
Reaching the surface of the highest rock, which protruded from the canopy of trees, I told them to hush up as I eyed the view. The island was not very big. Like Boa said, its perimeter was no more than twenty times the size of the beach we were camped on. This peak I was on was the only high point on the island, which assured me that any running water to be found had to come from this direction. Being how the source was tucked away within the rocks, there would be no way to tell if the small flowing stream would flow forever or run out in a day once the stored rainwater dried up. There were puffy white clouds dotting the bright blue sky, but none of them looked heavy with rain.
After relaying my observations to Peckadennel, I said, “Our chances of survival here are slim. But there are more islands in the distance. One of them is so big that I can hardly see the whole thing.”
“How far away is it?” Peck hopped as if he would be able to see over the trees if he jumped high enough.
“Miles. It’s hard to say how many, but I am guessing twenty or more. You can see for yourself once I come down. But I’ll tell you now, as tall as the mountains are and as large as the perimeter is, there has to be water there. And I bet you there’s big game to hunt over there, too.”
The moment I hopped down, Peck climbed up after me. I sat down next to Dennel in the shade and then pulled out Jenson’s maps. Hearing Peck ramble about the view, I unrolled the maps and took out the captain’s logbook. Dennel’s eyes grew wide as he eyed the pieces. Appearing to be quite interested in the way my gaze turned between the captain’s notes in his book and Jenson’s marks on the map, Dennel scratched his head. “You can read?”
“That I can, and you should learn one day, too. You’d be surprised by how many doors open for a literate man.”
“Would you teach me?” His beady eyes widened.
“Sure. Once we get settled somewhere. My Bible is still in my sea bag and I should get back to reading it soon, myself. But for now, give me a minute to figure this out.”
Quietly, Dennel sat beside me, focusing intently on every move I made and listening closely to all the thoughts I mumbled out loud. Soon enough, Peck came down and watched me work as well.
Once I figured things out, I said to Peckadennel, “Considering what I just saw, in comparison to the notes taken and the last known marks made by the prior navigator, I believe it is safe to assume that the large island on the horizon is Hispaniola.” Though I knew nothing about the island itself, I was relieved to have figured out where we were in the world.
Dennel started twiddling his fat fingers. “Hispaniola, well, that’s no good. The Spanish own that island.”
Peck fanned his hand. “Eh, that don’t mean nothing. The Spanish think they own all these islands, but I heard there are some other men living there, as we
ll. A band of hunters made up from men of many nations.” He leaned in close. “If we can get over there somehow, we might stand a chance at survival.”
“How the hell would we get there?” Dennel questioned. “The ship isn’t sailing and all the boats were ripped away in the storm.”
Peck shoved his shoulder. “We’ll build a raft, of course.”
“A raft?” Dennel’s eyes crossed.
“What? You’ve never seen a raft?”
“I’ve seen plenty of rafts in rivers and lakes, but not on the damn ocean. There are waves and sharks out there.”
Peck shook his head. “I’d rather face waves and sharks than have no water. Without water you won’t live long enough to be afraid of anything else.”
“I’m not afraid, I just…”
“You’re just afraid, admit it,” Peck said. “I am, too. I’ll tell you that, right now. The sea is a mean old bitch and after seeing how easily she smashed up Autumn Moon, I have no desire to float across her wicked face on a shitty little raft. But I’d rather risk the dangers at sea than dehydration on an island where Boa has claimed himself as the ruler.”
Dennel lowered his head. “I suppose you have a point there, Peck. I think I’d rather take the risk, after all. And between us here, I think Boa would like to see Burton dead so he can rightfully claim leadership.”
I figured as much, but had half hoped it was my own negative opinion of Boa swaying those thoughts. Hearing that these two had made the same observation solidified my belief in the dreadful truth, which emphasized my desire to get the hell off of this tiny island. “Don’t worry about Boa,” I said, “I think the raft is a good idea and I say we run it by Barlow to see how possible it would be to build something sturdy enough to get all of us that far.”
Peck fanned his hand at me, “Ah, Barlow could build a whole ship with his eyes closed. He told me that as a lad, he spent his summer days building rafts out of lesser supplies than what we have laying there on the beach. I know he can do it.”
Feeling hopeful, I stroked my now long and tangled goatee. “All right. Let’s head back to camp to tell the others.”
As I stuffed my supplies in my sea bag, Dennel said, “You know, Bentley, I sure wish you could be our leader while Burton is out.”
Peck clapped his hands. “Me too. Boa is a cocksure codpiece. And by the way, it was a good show watching you knock his tooth out. I know we didn’t say nothing on your behalf back then, or when he took the captain’s meat, and sorry about that, but he’s the bosun and you know…”
Dennel picked up where Peck’s voice trailed off. “Ranks is ranks, but well, now, things are different. And if you ever have to fight him again, we’ll stand on your side, right Peck?”
“That’s right. Especially if it means protecting Burton. We like him. He’s always been fair to us dumb ol’ fools and we think he deserves just as much meat as the rest of us, if not more.”
Not quite sure what to say, I laid my face in my hand and shook my head. The last thing any of us need to be doing was fighting over leadership. But like Barlow said, someone had to take charge and I’d rather die fighting the Almighty Boa than ever end up serving him coconuts.
After thinking things over, I lifted my head and said, “I promise you, I will do whatever it takes to care for Captain Burton and to be sure there’s enough food and water for each man to share equally—preferably in peace.”
Jolly grins crossed both of their dirty and scarred faces. Peck said, “We’ll be at your service, sir. I mean, Bentley.”
“As I will be to you,” I said, then stood up and headed down the rocks.
Chapter 13
King of the Island
“No. It’s stupid, it’s dangerous, and it is not happening,” Boa firmly stated with his arms crossed over his sunburnt chest.
Standing solid in front of the captain with Barlow to my left and Peckadennel to my right, I said, “It may be stupid, and it surely will be dangerous, but it is happening.”
Boa busted with laughter. Hunching over, holding his gut, he laughed and laughed. Of course, his followers joined in on his humor. Once he gained enough composure to speak, Boa chortled between heaves, “So, let me get this straight. You’re going to build a raft and row at least thirty miles across shark infested waters to take refuge on a Spanish island?”
Unamused, I nodded. “Yes. We ran our thoughts by the captain and as per his orders, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Propping himself upright, Boa said to me, “Ah, I know Peckadennel is as dumb as rocks, but I took you as a smarter fellow, Bentley. You too, Barlow. But I guess you’re never too old to be surprised by the people you thought you knew.” He looked at his men. “What do you boys think about this nonsense?”
As they spouted out their agreements with Boa’s lack of faith in our idea, Barlow stood up beside me and said, “This matter isn’t up for discussion, Boa. The captain already stated this plan as law.”
Without a lick of humor left in his gaze, Boa snapped, “I don’t care what that half-dead sack of bones said. If I were dumb enough to let a delirious man whose mind is burning up from a fever call my commands, then I’d have died long ago. But I’m not, and being how the captain is in no state to order a solid course, it is now my place to take charge. So, as your leader, I’ll come up with a real plan to get us out of here.”
“You are not our leader!” I sliced my hand through the air. “Captain Burton is alive and even if he wasn’t, I would never follow you.”
His brows furrowed. “That is where you are wrong, little boy. I am the king of this goddamn island and you will not dispute me without regret.”
His men flexed and growled, ready to pounce upon his command. My men mirrored their image.
But we didn’t need to fight. Not yet.
Stepping between the two groups, I held my hands out between them and attempted to tame the uproar my own foul mood had intensified. “Look, we don’t have time to fight over or wait around for a better plan. The water supply on this island is dangerously low and there’s no telling when it will vanish completely. It would be best to start building now while we still have liquid available to us, instead of waiting until it’s gone and we’re too weak to change our minds.”
After signaling for his men to stand down, Boa casually stated, “I’ve been walking this earth twice as long as you have, Mason Bentley, and I’ll get by plenty fine without your novice advisories. My men and I will not be risking our lives on your stupid raft.” He pointed at my men, “Any of you who wish to live are free to step over here and join us. And whoever wishes to die can stay over there with the delusional little boy and the dying old man.”
I looked around at the men’s expressions to see who thought what about the matter. Barlow, Peck, and Dennel stood firm at my sides. Just as Rupert, Walsh, Tennison, and Smedley stood alongside their leader. The line had been drawn and sides had been chosen by all but Doctor Hubert Humphry. His pale and sweat covered face glistened in the sunlight shining through the swaying palms. His beady eyes darted quickly between the strong standing self-proclaimed king of the island, and the limp and nearly lifeless captain of our remaining crew.
Nervously fiddling with his bag of recovered doctor’s tools, he chewed on his chafed lip and hummed out loud. Suddenly, as if a whip had cracked against his back, he darted toward our lineup. “I must side with the captain! I don’t want to die as a mutinous outlaw on this wretched island.”
Landing safely on our side of the divide, he looked back at Boa’s men and squealed, “Come with us. You’ll die if you stay here.”
“Don’t cast my fate at me, traitor!” Boa shouted as he took a step toward the doctor. His voice was shrill and his expression was crazed.
I didn’t care much for Doctor Hubert Humphry, but he made the right choice and I would defend him for it. Stepping in front of where he now sat alongside the captain, I said to Boa, “He made his choice, same as you made yours. There’s no reason for
anyone to fight over this line that is now drawn between us. We’ll just get our share of the supplies and be on our way.”
He stepped in front of me. “You aren’t taking anything.”
Tightening my fists at my sides, I took a step back and said, “Yes, I am. I am taking half of everything we’ve built and all of the cargo crates.”
His menacing scowl turned into a taunting grin. “What the hell are you going to do with the cargo? Row it away on your little raft?”
“Captain Burton is responsible for it and it will be stored at the camp where he resides.”
His eyes widened and a pathetic laugh escaped his lips. “Well, aren’t you a good little poppet, doing what your delirious captain says, no matter how ridiculous.”
Ignoring his insult, I held my shoulders straight and my head high as I asserted, “I will be getting what I came for. If you want to fight over it, we can, but I’d rather not spend my energy doing something so foolish.”
He cocked a brow. Eyeing me over as if debating how I would taste after he skewered and roasted me over a fire, he hummed out loud. The humid air seemed to thicken around us and the buzzing flies became louder than ever as I awaited his reaction.
Finally, he released a slow, casual breath and stepped aside. “You’re right. It would be stupid to fight. We each have far more important things to be doing. Go ahead and get what you need and be on your way.”
He fanned his hand to welcome me past him.
I wasn’t fool enough to accept his welcoming. Unsure of what he was up to, I stood there until he said to his men, “It seems the little boy is afraid to cross paths with a man like me. Let’s give him and his friends some room to breathe while they load their precious supplies.”
Though I was glad to see him and his men walk away, I was more alarmed by his cooperation than by his disputes. I had no idea what he was up to, but didn’t for a second believe that he had sincerely stood down. Regardless of his plans, we had no more time to waste and started hauling our supplies.
King of My Nightmare (King of My Nightmare, Book 1): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories Page 19