The Pyrate

by Michael Aye

  “You do and there’s sure to be trouble, my Scottish friend,” Cooper replied.

  CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

  New Orleans was bristling. It was Christmas Eve and people were rushing about. Cindy had invited everyone including Mac to a Christmas dinner. A week before Christmas, Jumper and Gus had cut down a fir tree, and every night they added decorations to the tree, some of them all the way from Germany. Belle popped some popcorn and made a garland of if to wrap around the tree. She also made a treat, calling her concoction, sticky corn. It was a sweet mixture of butter and syrup poured over the popcorn.

  “Belle has outdone herself again,” Cooper declared licking the tips of his fingers. Looking up, he realized everyone was smiling. “Sorry,” he said, about his bad manners, “but it is too good to waste.”

  “I lick my finger every time mama cooks,” Jumper declared. This made everyone laugh.

  “Belle makes good peppermint candy canes too,” Gus said. “They are my favorite.”

  Seeing Cooper and Mac’s look, Cindy asked, “You’ve never heard of peppermint candy canes?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Cooper said.

  “Me neither,” Mac admitted.

  “Eli, have you had a candy cane before?” Cindy asked.

  “I have got to admit I haven’t,” Taylor said.

  “You want to tell our guests the story, Jumper?”

  “Oh yes mam,” the boy said, excited that he knew something his worldly friends didn’t. “A long time ago in the 1600’s in Cologne, Germany. That’s right ain’t it, Miss Cindy?” When Cindy nodded, Jumper continued, “The man in charge of the choir wanted the church to hear his choir singing so he figured to keep the ‘chillins’ hushed up he’d give them something. He talked with this man who had a candy shop and they decided to make peppermint sticks. So the younguns would keep their mind on Christmas he had the candy man put a crook at the top end of the stick so it would make them think of the Shepherds who came to see baby Jesus when he was born.”

  “Ain’t that so, Miss Cindy?”

  “You are right, Jumper,” Cindy said.

  “I’ll be,” Taylor said.

  “Yes, you will, Eli, once you’ve had some of Belle’s peppermint.”

  Christmas was a great event. Belle, who was the best cook any of the men had ever met, outdid anything she’d done so far to Cooper’s way of thinking. The guests spent the night and left the following day after the noon meal, which were mostly leftovers from the night before. Lucy and Linda were gone. The entire group had missed the lively girls, especially Mac. Lucy had left a letter for Mac, which he’d read in the privacy of his room. Cooper felt a tinge of guilt over his happiness and seeing the downtrodden look on Mac.

  When they got back to Debbie’s hotel the men risked the evening chill to smoke cigars. In a few minutes Otis came out bearing a large box followed by Debbie and Sophia.

  “While you men were off gallivanting in Savannah, we found this,” Sophia said. “It’s for you, Mac.”

  Opening the box, Mac stood back. It was a set of bagpipes. “A wonderful gift,” he exclaimed. Mac then produced four small packages. Perfume for the ladies and pipes for the men. The ones he’d found and purchased. The one with the ship’s wheel went to Eli, and the crossed swords to Cooper.

  “What did we get?” the captain asked the ladies.

  “Humph…you got us,” Debbie responded, and then squealed as she was slapped across the rump. “Eli!”

  Sophia only snuggled closer to her man. He knew the look at this point; his reward would be waiting when they got upstairs.

  Turning to Mac and Cooper, Taylor spoke, “I’ve made no secret that I’m ready to give up the sea. Well, I’m done. The Raven is my ship. I can do with her as I wish. She is now your ship, Coop. Not free, you will pay for her but you will be able to afford it. While I can give you the ship, I can’t guarantee the crew will vote you their captain. If they don’t, you may have to find your own crew. Turner plans on retiring as well. But you’ve got good hands that will stay. Make Mac your first officer or navigator as I did. They trust his seamanship and they trust you. Together, I can see a bright future for the two of you. If you want to continue, things are changing for free men but it’s not over yet. There’s still time for you to make your fortune. Just stay away from ventures like we had with Gaspar. When you rely on yourself and not somebody else other than your own crew, you will find things usually turn out better in the end. And both of you remember you have to have a country; a place to lay your head in peace. Make not war on your own country.”

  Later that night, long after Sophia had gone to sleep, Cooper thought of Eli Taylor’s words. He also felt the scar on his face. I’ve yet to settle with the Finylson flag but I will. Phillip and his father will feel my wrath.

  That night with Sophia in his arms, Cooper thought about the last month, most of it having been spent with his wife. The trip from Savannah to New Orleans had been a grand leisurely adventure. Jonah Lee and Moses were not only good scouts and excellent hunters; they were also good traveling companions. They were quick to point out things of interest and of danger including coming on a band of Indians, the first ones that Cooper or Mac had ever seen. The trip was over and now he was being thrust into command of a pirate ship. Would he stand the test? Did he have what it takes? Eli thought so. He had a good friend in Mac to offer advice and good seasoned crewmen. But still there was this lingering doubt. What about Sophia? Eli and Debbie would watch after her but it was not the same as the two being together. Together, something he liked, something he’d grown accustomed to and something he’d miss. He’d take command and go pirating but only long enough to provide for Sophia.

  ***

  The vote was as Taylor predicted. Most of the hands put their support behind Cooper. Those that didn’t were allowed to leave without paying their account. A handful left, but some decided to wait and see. Johannes was voted in as the new quartermaster, the voice between the captain and the crew. He would also second Mac as navigator should the need arise having once been a master’s mate. The only bad news was the ship’s bottom. She needed new copper and was due for an overhaul.

  “She needs much more than we can take care of here. The Raven needs to be taken to the Tidewater,” Turner said, relating his findings after careening the ship while Taylor and his group were in Savannah.

  Knowing Cooper was clueless, Taylor told his friend, “Tidewater is what Turner calls the docks in Norfolk, Virginia. There are monies in the ship’s fund to see the repairs done but some of the guns are old. We’ve replaced a few but we should replace them all and use the same size guns. “

  Cooper knew the wisdom in his former captain’s words. “LaFitte will likely buy the guns we have now,” he said.

  “Aye,” Taylor replied smiling. “You’re thinking like a captain already. After the first of the year we will load up our personal belongings and you can take us to Savannah. There I will have a home waiting for you when you need rest.”

  “Aye,” Cooper said, shaking his head. “It will be better for Sophia as well, though we both will miss Cindy.”

  “We will all miss Cindy,” Taylor admitted, “but we can visit.”

  “Did Otis like taking on the hotel for half shares,” Cooper asked.

  “Yes, and if all goes well in seven years it will be his,” Taylor replied. He had pulled that thought from Colonel Lee.

  “Did you notice the free blacks in Savannah?” Cooper asked.

  “Yes, but they don’t seem to be accepted as well,” Mac said.

  “They intermingle in the sporting clubs,” Cooper said.

  “Aye, men with the appetite and the means usually find pleasure. But that don’t mean they’d have Quadroon balls to find either themselves or their sons mistresses. No, Coop, for all its good, bad and ugly, New Orleans is a city you’re not likely to see the likes of again. I’m not even sure we’ll see the degree of acceptance in New Orleans much longer,” Taylor said.


  “Aye,” Cooper acknowledged. “The new governor has got different ideas.”

  The men sat for a few minutes, each with their own thoughts. Cooper then spoke, “You know what you need to do as your last act of piracy, Captain?”

  Seeing the devilish grin of Cooper’s face, Taylor couldn’t help but ask, “What my young friend?”

  “Steal Belle,” Cooper replied.

  Taylor laughed, “Damme, boy, but that is a good idea.”

  PART IV

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  The breeze blew softly as gulls floated in the air, diving at a small school of fish. The Chesapeake Bay sky was full of lazy clouds that looked like puffs of cotton.

  “That’s Sewell’s Point to larboard, Captain,” Johannes said, who knowing these waters was bringing the Raven into the crowded port. “Bring her up a point,” he ordered the helmsman.

  The James River was crowded today. They were under reduced sails but the ship seemed to be moving too fast for Captain Cooper Cain’s comfort. Not that he didn’t have every confidence in his quartermaster, it was just everything seemed to be moving so fast.

  Otis had taken over Hotel Provincial, Debbie’s belongings plus what few Sophia had, had been loaded aboard Raven. Bankers and lawyers were visited and everything was put in order for the move. Jean LaFitte threw a big party for Captain Taylor and then goodbyes were made to Cindy, Belle, Gus and Jumper. They had become family to Cooper, Mac, and Sophia. Cooper had gotten Raven underway while Taylor spent most of his time in the captain’s cabin.

  In Savannah, everything had been unloaded. David Gill had met up with Taylor and said the house was ready. Raven’s crew was given the weekend to visit the taverns and sporting houses. Beau Cannington warned the crew about bringing back from the sporting houses more than they paid for. John Will and Michael Brett had arranged a set of rooms at the new Washington Hall Hotel. After a huge meal that caused the men to loosen their pants one button, they bought one-dollar seats and watched a play at the Exchange Building.

  Mac and Beau Cannington then took their leave from the couples to do a bit of carousing on their own. The next two nights were nights of passion for Cooper and Sophia. The time ashore was then up and Raven put to sea. For the first time, Cooper felt like a captain. Sophia had gotten him a captain’s coat with big pockets and Taylor had given him his hat. “You need to look the part,” he’d said.

  Now, with the pipe Mac had given him in his coat pocket, Cooper stood on the quarterdeck as Johannes brought the ship in and moored across from Tidewater Shipyard and Dry Dock. A boat from the shipyard put out to meet them.

  A man came aboard introducing himself, “I’m Roger Nobles. My father still runs the place but he’s up in age so I meet the ships now.” He recognized the Raven as she moored but was expecting Captain Taylor.

  Cooper was still staring at the man who’d not given him a chance to speak. Johannes spoke up, “This is Captain Cooper Cain, and he has a letter for you from Captain Taylor.”

  “Yes,” Cain said and reached for the letter he’d put in his coat pocket that morning. Cooper, Mac, Johannes, and Diamond rowed over to the shipyard office where they met the senior Nobles. Arrangements were made for the crew to be housed and fed if they were around at meal time.

  “There’s room for you as well, Captain,” Nobles advised and then added, “but most captains and officers find their own lodging closer to town.”

  “We’ll stay tonight anyway,” Cooper advised. Looking across the harbor after finishing the business in Nobles’ office, Cooper commented, “That looks like a large shipyard across the way a bit. I can see ship masts.”

  “Aye, you’ve a good eye, young man,” Nobles senior said. “That’s Gosport, used to be private but now the federals have taken it over, so it’s mostly for Navy ships now, what few they be.”

  “I see,” Cooper replied, as he and Mac strolled off to find the Fouled Anchor, a tavern that catered to sea captains and officers. Cleaner than most and ship shape, Nobles had sworn.

  “Probably gets a cut for every sailor he sends their way,” Mac whispered.

  ***

  It was the most mournful tune they’d ever heard. The sound poured from the open doorway. Without looking at the sign, Cooper and Mac entered, drawn by the music. The place was packed. A table by the fireplace had one patron. The man looked up as the two walked over. Using his hand in a quick motion, he invited them to the empty bench on the opposite side of the table. No words passed.

  The musician, if that was what you could call him walked the aisles between the tables playing a scarred fiddle. The bow had so many frayed horsehairs Cooper wondered if it was down to bare wood. The man playing was little more than a skeleton, his skin ghost white, pale and his sparse hair hung down to his shoulders. Cooper looked about the room to see more than one dabbing the tears from their eyes, men and women alike. When the old fiddler finished playing he picked up a sack and put the instrument away. He then picked up an empty tankard and walked around; coins clinked as they filled the pewter tankard. When he got to their table he said, “That one was for you, old friend.” The man smiled and placed a coin in the now nearly full tankard.

  Smiling, the fiddler looked away and then turned back and looked at Cooper, “You’re a marked man. Have you paid your dues? Let me tell you, friend, it’s a long hard road. That goes for you too, my Scottish friend. Careful, as death awaits you.” The man wheeled and walked away leaving Cooper and Mac spellbound.

  “He’s daft,” a serving girl said. “The owner lets him play cause he packs the place but every once in awhile he comes up with a scary something.

  Cooper and Mac ordered and told the girl to refill the gentleman’s tankard as he so willingly shared his table.

  “Thank you,” the man said. “My name is Dagan, Dagan Dupree.” The men all shook hands with Cooper and Mac introducing themselves.

  Dagan, Cooper could see, had once been a seaman. His face was weathered, with crow’s feet at the corner of his eyes from squinting in the sun and hard leathery skin on the back of his hands.

  “You’re an old tarpaulin,” Mac said, more a statement than a question.

  “Aye, and you two are British, I take it,” Dagan replied.

  “We’re British, still are I guess, only we make our home in the southern United States now,” Cooper said.

  “Aye, much as I have, met a woman from here in Norfolk so after the war I left the Navy and came back. We had a good life.”

  Without thinking, Cooper said, “Had?”

  The old man shook his head but did not speak for a beat or two, “She died this past summer. Our doctor said her heart wore out. It was a happy life we shared though. She was afraid I’d miss the sea, but I didn’t. She gave me more than the sea ever did. I have thought about going back to the sea for awhile; maybe visit some family I haven’t seen in years.”

  Cooper felt a kinship with the old man, without knowing why. “Our ship is here for an overhaul. When she gets out of the yards you are welcome to sail with us if you’ve a desire to sail south.”

  Dagan smiled and his eyes narrowed so much Cooper wondered if he could see between the lids. After a moment of silence, he spoke, “Your friend has the look and ways of a seaman. But you’re the captain. I think, my friend, your ship could be a raider. Gooley felt it and I feel it. You’ve a good heart and I’m pleased at your offer. I will consider it.”

  The maid was back with the food and drink. Dagan asked the girl for a pipe and a long stemmed while clay pipe was brought to him. He opened a pouch he’d had laying on the table and packed the pipe bowl with tobacco. The girl reached in the fireplace and lit a piece of straw she’d snatched from a broom.

  Mac was facing the girl as she bent over so that he had the pleasure of a glimpse of her ample breasts. She held the burning straw over Dagan’s pipe until the tobacco was lit and then threw the remnant into the fire. Looking at Mac, she said, “He’s a gentleman, that one, unlike some.” Mac blushed knowing he
’d been caught eyeing her wares. Dagan and Cooper chuckled.

  “The fiddle player, is he really crazy?” Mac asked.

  Dagan puffed on the pipe a time or two, sending little plumes of smoke into the air. “Gooley’s a lost soul alright. Claims he sold his soul to the devil on the fiddler’s green so that he could play like he does. Legend has it any fiddler or violin player worth a bloody damn got that way by swearing allegiance to Lucifer. But Gooley’s lost his mind. He was away on a privateer during the war of 76. When he came home much of Norfolk had been burned. Some say by the British Navy. Gooley’s house had burned down and his wife and child were never found. People say he just went crazy, maybe from a broken heart. My father-in-law was General Manning. He found Gooley nearly frozen to death. He brought him home and warmed him up. Betsy, my wife, fed him and I gave him some warm clothes and a coat. He got better and left. He’d show up from time to time after that. Gooley stood outside the church and played when Betsy died, said he wasn’t allowed to come in. He plays sad, mournful songs. It’s like you can feel his pain when he drags the bow across the strings. It’s a rare jig he’ll play, and then only after he’s well paid. “

  The men had finished eating and each had another round when Mac yawned. “It’s been a long day. Let’s go find the Fouled Anchor and see if there’s a room left. Could you give us directions, Dagan?”

  “Aye, it’s easy. See that door across the room?” Mac nodded. “That’s where you get your room. You’ve been in the Fouled Anchor these past two hours,” Dagan said.

  “Well damme,” Cooper said.

  “You have your bag with you, I see, so you can check on a room if that’s your desire, or you can come to my house. There’s room enough so you can each have your own bedroom. Maggie’s the cat, she won’t trouble you none. I have a woman and her daughter to do the cooking and cleaning. They’ll wash for you as well,” Dagan said.