When the moon rose at six bells of the evening watch, Experiment unfurled her topsails, sailed over her anchor and disappeared westward into the blackness of the Caribbean Sea. Neville, alert on the quarterdeck of his beloved ship, chuckled to himself. He could hear watch keepers on the other anchored vessels yelling when they noticed his departure. They were launching boats to row across to report to Commodore Wright that one of his ships was ‘deserting’. He will be ‘Zoundzing’ all night. “Ha, ha, ha!”
Neville’s exhilaration did not wear away for hours. He paced the quarterdeck as the moon rose. He spoke excitedly with Lt. Ratshaw when his lieutenant came on watch under the stars at midnight; about the passage to Jamaica, about the weather and sea conditions, and to some small extent about the interchange with Wright that had cost Ratshaw his opportunity to be a prize commander. Expecting to be sleeping late, he gave Ratshaw orders for the next morning’s sailing – essentially an easy quartering reach for the next 850 nautical miles without much expectation of seeing so much as a sail. Mr. Tilburne relieved Ratshaw at six bells of the graveyard watch and Neville was still awake pacing the quarterdeck. When he heard Mr. Temis call “Seven bells and all’s well,” Neville finally decided he had calmed enough to sleep, and went below.
He was wakened by hammering nearby and, rousing himself from a hard sleep, decided that the noise was being created by the carpenter’s mates at work on the gun port door forward of his cabin.
He stood and dressed. He then opened his cabin door to confirm his suspicions. What he found was a very annoyed MacRead. The hairy little man was directing his mates, and was obviously not happy to be doing the work at sea.
“Good noon to you, Captain,” he said insubordinately, “Nixt taym you’ve to avoid another ship Ay’ll thank ye to put someone at the helm who knows better ‘ow ta steer. Be thankful ay d’nay have to put that stern gallery toge’r agin.”
It was all Neville could do, finding the whole interchange hilarious, to stutter, “Thank… Thank you, Mr. MacRead,” and close the door. Inside he found Suddicke pouring a great pot of coffee. Ah, it will be a glorious passage home.
17 - “Engagement at Port Royal”
“Land Ho,” cried Mr. Shield from the maintop. The cry sent every off-duty officer to some point of observation. It was six days since they stood from Marie-Galante, and they had been expecting this call at any time since yesterday. With an easy following sea and the steady trade winds to push them along, the passage had been a swift sail at eight knots or more almost the entire time. There had been few sail changes and no interruptions to deal with sluggardly merchantmen.
There ahead lay Jamaica, the end of the monotony. They should arrive shortly after supper, with plenty of daylight so they would not have to stand off until the next day to enter port.
Experiment had reduced to topsails and one jib by the time she ghosted into the harbor entrance and fired her salute to Fort Charles. Fort Charles welcomed, and they reduced to merely the foretopsail while they looked for an anchoring location.
Neville and Ratshaw stood at the landward railing. “Look at all the shipping, Captain. I’ve never seen so many ships in here at one time.”
“Neither have I, lieutenant. Do you suppose they are gathering a convoy? Look, there’s the Comtesse du Provence. She looks quite proper. Captain Verley has done her well, no?”
“And I see his gig is going over the side as we speak!”
“Here will do, Lt. Ratshaw. Loose the anchor. Furl topsail.”
“Ahoy, the gig,” hailed Mr. Walshe as it drew near. Experiment had not yet stretched her anchor cable taught.
“Comtesse du Provence,” was the coxswain’s answer, indicating that Captain Verley was aboard – and as if he couldn’t be plainly seen in the strong Jamaican sunlight.
Vincent was quick coming up the side, with Lt. Dinman beside him. A single drummer rattled away, and two of Tilburne’s mates piped. Two marines managed to beat Verley to the side, and another two were arriving as he stepped over the brow. Sgt. Daweson came up beside Neville and mumbled, “Sorry, Sir. He was awful quick.”
“Ha, ha. No matter. Thank you for your attention.”
The two visitors turned aft and saluted the colours, then turned and saluted Neville. Vincent stuck his hand out to Neville. They shook, as did Neville and Lt. Dinman. Dinman went off to see his old mates.
“Have I some stories to tell you, Captain Verley, but first, can you tell me where I would find the governor tomorrow?”
“Aye, Neville. He’s in Spanish Town this entire week.”
“I must report to him, you know, so I suggest you come along. It will be a more efficient use of his time to receive both of his frigate captains together. When I give my verbal report, you will hear it as well. I assume we might then receive orders from the governor that will affect both ships.”
“But we’ll stop at the Fullers’ first, won’t we?”
“Of course, my friend. I have not seen Maria for five and a half months. You know we’ll both be welcome, and it’s on the way.”
“It is, for sure. Now let’s hear your stories, and I’ve some of my own to tell…”
The captain of Experiment was up early the next morning and prepared to depart shortly after the sun was up. June already, he reflected as he picked up the packet of letters he had written, and then chuckled at the thought - of the year 1691. It seems silly to take the letters, but it shows that my thoughts have been with her.
“Suddicke, call for my gig, if you please.”
His last order before leaving was to Ratshaw: “No tarts aboard today. Wives only. Get water in first.” Neville’s gig called on the Comtesse to collect Verley on the way to the beach. As the boat’s bottom scrubbed the sand, they could see that their transportation question was answered for them. At the street stood an open two-horse carriage holding a single young girl. There were four very visibly armed outriders, however. Trombé carried a pistol and his mates each had both cutlasses and daggers. Thomas Fuller was taking no chances with his daughter; he also knew that she would not be stopped from greeting her suitor at the first possible opportunity.
“Cox’n, return to the ship. Lt. Ratshaw has my orders for shore leave. We’ll be gone probably three days.”
They walked across the hot strand to the roadside where the radiant Maria sat beneath a parasol. “Good morning, miss,” Neville joked, “Is this hack available?”
“It has a price,” she responded, “A suitor’s kiss.” The great warrior Burton blushed. “Must my friend pay the same?”
“Hmm,” she mused, looking at Vincent with her mischievous twinkling eyes, “Yes, I think he should.”
“Hello, Trombé,” Neville said, pulling himself up into the carriage, “And you others…”
Maria received her kiss from Neville and a peck on the cheek from an appreciative Vincent Verley, and the carriage clattered down the street under the watchful eyes of the denizens of Port Royal. Even before they had rattled past the King’s House and off Thames Street at Fort Rupert, Neville pulled a package out of the small case he was carrying. “Maria,” he said, “Here are the letters I have been writing you for months now. There have been no ships available to carry them. I have beaten them all home, ha, ha!”
“It is wonderful that you have. You’re the answer to my prayers, really. I will read every one of them when I have the opportunity. I’m afraid my letters to you have all gone to Barbados, but I will be happy to tell you every little thing,” she said, hugging on to his arm.
The ride through the countryside was merry. A passing shower, with the smells of rain, tropical flowers, and farm animals, did not dampen their spirits. It did dampen their clothes, however, but not the way ocean spray does, and they were dry again by the time they reached the Fuller plantation. The reception there was pleasant, but short.
“We have an early lunch waiting, gentlemen,” said Thomas Fuller before their feet even touched the courtyard bricks. “I have received a respo
nse from Governor Inchiquin that we may have an audience at two this afternoon.”
“What, father? Business already?”
“Yes, my dear. You know the world will not stop for a romance. I’m going, too. I have Council business to attend. Your favorite, dear – a tostada con pollo - and for you two seamen, we have fresh steaks and eggs.”
“I’ll go too, then,” said Maria, “I can visit my school.” She rushed off to change clothes.
In Spanish Town, the carriage dropped Maria in front of her school and continued to the governor’s residence on King Street. The governor’s aide pulled open the large wooden door to admit them only moments after the bell cord was pulled.
“I’m afraid I gave you a bit of fabrication, gentlemen. My business with the governor is the same as yours,” admitted Thomas once inside. “He will give you the scheme, and I can fill in details later.”
“You look well, Lord Inchiquin,” Neville lied diplomatically when they stepped into the governor’s office to begin the meeting. The man looked to have aged five years since Neville had seen him last.
“Foof,” replied Inchiquin. “Are we grooming a diplomatic attaché rather than a sea captain, Colonel Fuller? I have not been well for some time, and I know it shows. I am afraid Jamaica is not a place for a sickly man. Enough about me. Let’s get to it.”
Captain Burton gave his report. There was approval of the destruction of French interests on Marie-Galante and Guadeloupe, but displeasure that the job had not been finished at the latter. They grumbled that they expected no less – or rather no more – from Commodore Wright and expressed great approval of General – Governor Codrington. “A capital fellow. He saved me from court-martial,” said Neville, who was then encouraged to tell that part of the story. “As did your letter, Governor, for which I am in your debt.”
“I am pleased to hear it, Captain. This is how you shall repay me…” He outlined the plan for Experiment to escort a convoy of merchant ships to New England.
“Our original idea was to retrieve our frigate and to save you from the vagaries of that schemer Commodore Wright,” said Thomas. “After hearing your story, we must congratulate ourselves on being correct in our suspicions. We were about to send a letter demanding your return for a convoy. We are gathering that convoy now, as you have seen. This endeavor has the King’s approbation to sail. It’s in my interest as well, though I am a small player. Two of the ships are mine. The greater voices are the Hudson’s Bay Company and the African Company, each of whom have several ships involved.”
“It is of great financial interest to this colony, and the pressure has been building for most of a year. It’s not so exciting, I’m afraid, but we will need to keep the Comtesse here for protection, Captain Verley. I say to you, Captain Burton, that we have been most pleased with your friend’s performance. We are glad of him here. We have the Swan here as well, as you know, but she’s such a sluggardly thing that she’s not of much use.”
“As to the convoy, we have set a departure date three weeks from now when we assumed you would be returned,” added the governor, essentially as a conclusion to the meeting.
“And there’s also another matter in my personal best interest,” said Thomas on a more lighthearted note, “the happiness of Maria. But no matter; it is all but done.” He rose from his chair to shake the Governor’s hand and depart.
Outside, Thomas said to Neville, “Since you are early, I have not told Maria. She will probably be most displeased that you will sail so soon, but it is not as bad as if you left within days of arrival. You will have three weeks, which will give us plenty of time for the details as well as your courtship.”
On the ride home, Thomas broke the news of the convoy to Maria. The result was a touchy conversation from which nobody could depart and all were required to join politely. Maria excused herself to change out of her travelling clothes the moment they arrived at home. When she did, Thomas took Neville to the side and said quietly, “I give my permission. You have done more than survive a voyage to the Isle of Pines. By all accounts, you are a man of honor, bravery and potential, and I will be proud to call you part of the family. Now it’s up to you.”
Neville smiled the expected huge grin, and the old soldier added with jocular rudeness, “There aren’t many men for her to choose from, anyway. I suppose I can abide the navy.”
The spirits of two lovers reunited were not to be dampened for long. Maria accepted the news of Neville’s impending departure as well as could be expected, and they were soon off to the library to hear Maria’s newest music, a piece from Henry Purcell’s masque about the victory of love. “It came on that ship from England in May,” she bragged. “He wrote it only last year – just for us, wouldn’t you think, Neville?”
Vincent made his apologies and stepped out to the loo.
“And by the way, Captain Burton,” she interposed, “I need your watch back. I was told that if it is to continue working properly it must be cleaned on occasion. The clockmaker says that you are the worst sort of person to use the watch, as you will take it to sea and open it in the rain and the sea air and make all its little parts… what was that word?.... corrode.”
“I will be here for most of the next three weeks, so this is the only time you will get it for months. I do need it with me. I use it for navigation, you know. So here it is,” he said, taking it from his pocket and handing to her. When their hands met, he asked, “If I trust you with it, te quieres casar conmigo? (Will you marry me?)”
It took Maria about three quarters of a second to process the unusual, unexpected, and absurdly informal question, after which she exhaled a strange squeaky extended, “Yeeeesss!”, whooped at the top of her lungs, “Thank you, father,” and pulled Neville over for a long kiss. She stood up and skipped around the room, and said, “Where’s Vincent – or Juanita? I have to tell someone! Mrs. Burton. Mrs. Captain Neville Burton I will be.”
Vincent came hurrying into the room – almost at a run - followed closely by Juanita and two of the house staff who had all heard the screech from the library but couldn’t understand it. They all wore concerned expressions until they saw the grin on Maria’s face. They stopped in a clump by the door. Maria changed her demeanor when she realized how silly she must have seemed, and walked demurely over to Neville’s side. She entwined her arm into his and announced to the group in a calm and firm voice, “We are going to be married.” There immediately followed a session of excited congratulations. Thomas, who heard the commotion from his private study and easily guessed the cause, entered and crossed the tiled floor to shake Neville’s hand, saying, “You don’t waste time, do you?” and gave him a strong embrace.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the navy saying, Sir: ‘Time and tide wait for no man’?”
18 - “Party Time”
Colonel Fuller, because of his association with the convoy frigate’s captain (present situation unexpected), was the elected representative of the merchants for coordination of convoy details with him. He began Neville’s convoy briefing the next morning.
“It is one thing to run north in June before hurricane season is fully under way and another entirely to sail back south into almost certain trouble as the season progresses. I’m sure you understand. If you sail north by the end of June, you should be in Norfolk by mid-August at the latest.
“Several of our ships will go on to Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Quebec, and England. In all likelihood, your return passage will not begin from Norfolk before mid-October when the hurricane season is almost finished for the year. Unfortunately, the schedule will leave Experiment swinging at anchor in the Norfolk Roads for at least two months.”
“It’s not a cheerful thought, but we could make a number of postponed repairs,” replied Neville, “And it’s better than the alternative – being recalled by Commodore Wright – although I personally doubt Wright would recall me in hurricane season. He himself would not have the courage to venture out of harbor at that time of year and
Experiment would only pose an additional provisioning problem.”
“That’s not all, though, Neville. There is the matter of a return convoy, which will surely not be as large, but will still take some time to gather.”
Maria stopped in for a minute in the middle of their meeting and, overhearing the mention of a return shipment, said, “Oh, Neville, if there is any chance you might find cotton material in any solid color, please bring me back enough to make a few new dresses. It mustn’t be satin, although I love it, because it is much too hot for our climate here – except for that special one, which must be white,” she concluded with a wink.
“Experiment might be forced to dally until as late as September,” Thomas continued when Maria was out of earshot, “if imposed upon to wait for merchants returning with goods for Jamaica from the northern colonies. All told, the overall unhappy prospect is that you will probably be gone for three to four months.
“As to ships,” Thomas persisted, “In addition to the Hudson’s Bay Company’s five ships and the African Company’s six, the Maryland and Virginia merchants each have three ships to go back with sugar and molasses, tobacco and cocoa, and then there are ours from Jamaica. With my two, there are a total of twelve, but mostly smaller sloops and ketches. Unless seamen can’t add,” he joked, “that is a convoy of thirty merchants.”
“That’s a long convoy for one frigate, Colonel. I am told that the Carolinas are a haven of pirates, and that is after we pass the French at Hispaniola and Tortugas, then the Bahamas and Spanish Florida.”
“Quite true, and it’s why you will have Beagle and Wasp with you. You remember them from the hurricane, yes?”
“Certainly I do. That is good news. They are well-armed and well-sailed. Are there other similarly armed merchantmen?”
Maria appeared at the door. “Oh, Neville, I forgot. Excuse me, father. Neville, you also mustn’t forget thread of the same color as the material,” she said, and popped back out again.
A Journal of The Experiment at Jamaica (The Neville Burton 'Worlds Apart' Series Book 2) Page 27