by Michael Aye
After the smaller Finylson ship sailed away with twice the crew but minus its cargo, Cooper called to the captain, “Had you been a gentleman, you would have sailed home with your ship. I intend to drop you off at Santa Maria, Cape Verde. You can get home the best way you can.”
***
The Raven dropped anchor in the bay at Barataria. LaFitte would act as broker for the Finylson ship, putting a crew aboard it to sail it to Trinidad where his connection at the Port of Spain would make it a new ship. He also took the rum, giving a fair price for it.
As Cooper, Mac, and Johannes were leaving LaFitte’s home, Vincent Gambi and Renato Beluche, two of LaFitte’s lieutenants walked up. After a pleasant greeting, the fierce-looking Gambi said, “You have stirred up a hornet’s nest, my young friend. No small nest, I might add. Your raid on Cobretta’s plunder and captives at Culebra may well bring about your youthful demise.” Cooper started to speak but Gambi raised his hand. “I have heard of your reasons and while I understand, you have endangered your ship and your men. Cobretta will not forget. You killed a trusted lieutenant and you stole from him a brethren. He will be out for your hide, Cooper. I hope the Raven is up to the fight that awaits you.”
“We will be,” Cooper replied.
“I hope so, my young friend, as it won’t be just you. You are a marked man, Cooper Cain, but so is your ship and crew. Keep vigilant and trust no strange sail.” Gambi then held out his hand to shake Cooper’s. “If I’m around, I will lend you aid, as I have no love for the whoreson Cobretta myself.”
***
A brisk wind drove Raven through the Gulf of Mexico and into the Caribbean. On a whim, they decided to search for prey in the Bahamas. They zigzagged through the numerous cays that made up the Exumas.
“I was told there were three hundred sixty-five islands and cays that made up the Exumas,” Mac told several of the crew. “After America won its revolution with England, a good many British loyalists moved to the islands and set up a plantation style economy. The soil is so thin I was told it has about played out now, however.”
“They still sell salt,” Robinson volunteered.
“Aye,” Bridges added. “I’ve seen the beacon.”
Sailing past Georgetown, the Raven turned northerly, passing Rum Cay, Conception Island, and San Salvador, all on the starboard beam and Cat Island off the larboard side. They scared several local fishermen and tried to chase down a Bermuda sloop but it was much too fast. Smiling, Johannes seemed to enjoy the chase. Under full sail with a good wind, the sloop logged two miles for every mile Raven sailed.
“Fast ship,” Johannes remarked. “They are made to make quick trips between the islands, and then to transport slaves. The British navy likes the sloops so much, they’ve started using them for dispatch vessels and chasing privateers.”
“Aye,” Mac agreed. “The Pickle, which carried the news of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson’s death, was a Bermuda sloop. We’ll have to keep our eyes open in these islands. HMS Hunter and Rover, both with sixteen guns, patrol between Bermuda and Antigua.”
The name of the ship, Hunter, is that the one Maddy said her brother, Jacob, had just been assigned to? Cooper thought it was, but couldn’t be certain. Still it would not hurt to avoid them if possible. If possible…that was the key. If they were seen, it would undoubtedly end up in a battle, as the fast sailing vessels would overtake Raven…not a pleasant thought.
***
Overnight, the air became much cooler and the sea picked up. Rollers crashed into Raven’s bow, splashing spray inboard.
“It’s a lively morning, is it not?” Mac offered.
“Aye, Mac,” Cooper replied. He noticed either Mac or Johannes had put two helmsmen at the wheel.
“Sail ho, single ship off the starboard bow.”
Picking up a glass, Mac climbed the shrouds to where he could get a better view. Satisfied it was a single ship, he climbed down the ratlines to the deck. “A single ship, alright, shall we alter course to intercept?”
“I see no reason not to,” Cooper replied with a smile. “Send Banty to the tops,” he added, his mind on the British sloops. “I don’t want any surprises.” In half an hour, the ship could be seen from the deck.
“She’s not a fast sailor,” Johnson, who was at the helm, remarked.
Moree, the other helmsman, smiled, “She must be loaded down.”
Hearing the two men, Johannes walked over to Cooper, “She is sitting low in the water, Captain.”
In another quarter hour, Banty called down, “She’s flying your company flag, Captain.” By that he meant the Finylson flag. Soon after, he called down again, “It’s the Bonnie Lass, Captain…the Bonnie Lass.”
“Damn,” Mac said, smacking his fist into an open palm. “I thought that ship looked familiar.” It wasn’t long before they had nearly overtaken the ship.
“Send the hands to quarters, Mr. Diamond,” Cooper ordered. “Mr. Spurlock, put one across her bow.”
A cloud of smoke puffed out from the starboard chase gun, sending the acrid smell aft as the ball landed one hundred feet in front of the Bonnie Lass’ bow. Sails came down immediately as the ship hove to. Standing on the quarterdeck, Cooper saw the familiar figure of the captain, which he was expecting. It was the other two that shocked him. It was Jessie and Josie, the twins.
“Mac, Johannes, Mr. Diamond, please attend me quickly,” Cooper called. “I want Mr. Diamond to take the ship. Do not let on who is now Raven’s captain. Should I need to speak with Captain Nylinger bring him across. Also, those two ladies grew up with me. I will have them aboard this ship after we finish our business.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Cooper stood out of sight as he watched grapnel hooks fly across and hook on to the bulwark of the Bonnie Lass. No attempt to resist was given. Sooner, much sooner than expected, Johannes was back.
“It’s a poor ship, Captain. There is two feet of water in the well with the ship being pumped every hour. I’d say she’s made her last voyage. The captain requested to see you.”
Nodding, Cooper said, “Send him over.”
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
Ship’s boats were put out and Captain Nylinger and his crew of twenty-four men climbed down the battens into the waiting boats. It was early morning and the sky was cloudy with a drizzling rain. The sea had a slight chop but the row into Saint Augustine should not be too arduous. On deck in his tarpaulin, Cooper gave a slight nod to Captain Nylinger, who gave the briefest of nods back. Cooper Cain had saved the Bonnie Lass’ captain from ruination. The bottom that had been suspect when Cooper and Mac were aboard was now leaking constantly. It was lucky she’d stayed afloat as long as she had. By taking what cargo that was not already ruined aboard Raven, the ship rose up somewhat, limiting her leak.
After telling Cooper where a chest was hidden containing eight thousand English pounds, they agreed to sail to Saint Augustine. There, they would put the captain and his crew ashore and then sail both ships out of sight. Cooper would then collect the chest and sink the ship.
He had allowed the crew of the Bonnie Lass to collect any personal belongings and had given Nylinger two hundred guineas. That would see the captain and crew through until they got back to England. Once there, he would tell the insurance company that the pirate, Robert Confresso, raided his ship. The men would all be witnesses. The Finylson Company could not fault the man. The insurance company would no doubt purchase him a new ship.
Captain Nylinger’s passengers would likely be ransomed. He’d gotten the promise that no harm would come to the twins. He’d swear the pirates had not found the gold as far as he knew. The only thing was he now owed Cooper Cain a favor. A favor to be paid…when, where, and how was to be determined. Not a bad deal as he saw it.
Once off the Florida coast and in deep water, the Bonnie Lass was stripped of all that could be used but not traced. The gold was where the captain had said it would be. After everything was aboard Raven, Diamond and McKemie used one of th
e ancient brass cannons that the Bonnie Lass had used as armament and put a hole through her bottom. The ship soon sank from view as the dark Atlantic took her.
***
The reunion with Jessie and Josie had been very enjoyable. The two had made their way into the captain’s cabin with more than a little apprehension showing. Seeing Cooper, they squealed in delight. They ran to him and nearly smothered him to death with hugs and kisses. Jessie was the first to touch his scar and then she kissed it.
“That was because of us,” she said, sorrow in her voice. “If only we hadn’t been such tarts.”
“No, it was because of Phillip,” Cooper said. “He lied to Sir Lawrence.”
“He’s dead!”
This stopped Cooper abruptly. “Phillip’s dead?”
“No,” Jessie answered. “Sir Lawrence.”
“He was not that old,” Cooper said.
“Phillip did it to him,” the twins said in unison. “He broke the old man’s heart by being a sodomite and bringing his fancy boys to the estate. Soon the staff started leaving, including the kitchen staff. He’d invite others of his persuasion and have parties doing all sorts of unnatural things. Sir Lawrence walked in on one such party and tried to run everyone off but they just laughed at him. The next day he went to a lawyer and set up a trust of two hundred guineas per annum for each of us. He also set up a hundred guineas a year for your mother. This was done all perfect and legal. He was in the process of giving you back your father’s land in Antigua when he died very suddenly. He was taking a glass of warm milk to help him sleep. The next morning, he was found dead in his bed. The glass of milk had fallen to the floor but did not break. A dead rat was found close by. While there was no proof, other than the dead rat, most felt Sir Lawrence was murdered before Phillip could be cut out of his will.”
“It would not surprise me,” Cooper hissed. “If I could get my hands on Phillip, he’d suffer.”
“He already is,” the twins chirped. “The loss in ships, cargoes, and revenue is hurting him badly. Gambling debts have caused him to sell off part of the estate. Your father’s land is so debt ridden, that if payment is not soon received, it will be auctioned off.”
“How much does he owe?” Cooper asked.
“We are not sure, but somewhere between fourteen and fifteen thousand pounds. Captain Nylinger was to sell his cargo in Bermuda and then take the money from it plus that in the chest and pay off the land, so that it could be used as collateral again.”
Hmph, Cooper thought to himself.
The twins came to Cooper that night. “We heard about your wife, Coop. We are so sorry. Life has been so cruel to you.” To his amazement, they dropped their gowns that they’d been wearing and nakedly slid into his cot.
Cooper started to protest, but one of the twins said, “Shh!” She then covered his mouth with hers. He was not sure when they left but he’d been completely vanquished by the vixens. It was surprising to him, when the next morning he found himself comparing their bodies, not to Sophia, but to Maddy. These thoughts made him feel guilty. He vowed to resist any further liaisons. The vow was taken in faith, but only lasted until that night. He and Josie were sated from their passion when it occurred to Cooper that the other twin was not there.
“Where is Jessie?” he asked.
“She’s taken a liking to David, I believe.”
“Mac?” Cooper questioned.
Josie was running Cooper’s hands over her body; holding it to administer to her needs here and there, before moving on to other sensitive spots. “You don’t mind, do you, Coop? I’m sure she’d come if I said you wanted us both.” It was now Josie’s hands doing the roaming.
“No,” Cooper moaned, unable to say more as Josie went to work on his sensitive spots even more.
***
Raven sat at anchor at the mouth of the Wilmington River, while barges were loaded with her cargo and taken to the warehouses by way of the Savannah River. John Will was overseeing the operation. Michael Brett was away in Charlestown. Captain Taylor had worked out the arrangements so that the unloading of cargo would not be seen by prying eyes in the Savannah harbor.
The following day, Raven would pull into the harbor and take on supplies. Mac would bring the ship in and then take a horse that would be waiting to Captain Taylor’s place. A get together had been planned for the next day, a birthday party for Deborah. Afterwards there would be a private ceremony, one that Deborah didn’t even know about.
Eli Taylor was somewhat of a romantic. He planned to marry Deborah after the birthday party, if she’d have him. It was a big to-do. Colonel Lee and Mama Lee were there, along with Jonah and Moses. Several people from surrounding farms were there also, as were some local businessmen. Even James Anthony was there. He and Cooper shook hands, each truly liking the other. Dagan had gone back to Norfolk.
Contests and games were set up. Some for the adults, but most of them were for the children. Jonah and Moses made it to the final round of a shooting competition, where Moses barely edged out Jonah to win.
A pig was roasted, as were several goats. The roasted kid was good but the fried chicken was what made Cooper and the twins sit up and take note. When Deborah finally made an appearance, she was not alone. Cindy Veigh was with her.
When Cindy finally had time to speak to Cooper, she whispered, “I have a letter from your mother for you.”
The twins were a big hit. All the young gentlemen from around the countryside flocked to them. It was during the dancing that Cooper noticed Josie was taking a walk with James Anthony. He had to be several years older, but it was easy to see the two were smitten with each other. For some reason, Cooper couldn’t explain why seeing the two together didn’t bother him. Maybe someone like James would settle Josie down.
Later, when the three of them had a glass of punch, Josie said in a coy way, “Cooper and I grew up together. We are like brother and sister.” The voice was sweet and innocent but the eyes begged, please don’t say anything, Cooper. Well, he wouldn’t and he wished them both the best. Jessie with Mac, and Josie with James, I guess I’ll sleep along tonight; he decided and found that the thought didn’t bother him.
***
The next morning Cooper woke up but not alone. He’d left the window ajar and the cook’s cat had come in and laid on the pillow next to Cooper.
“Get,” he snarled and pushed at the cat, who was in no hurry to give up its warm spot. The big yellow cat raised up, bowed its back and then stretched its front legs one at a time. Giving Cooper a go to Hades look, the cat jumped on a bedside chair and then out the window.
Cooper’s head pounded as he sat up and his mouth tasted like an army had camped there the previous evening. Too much food, and corn whiskey followed by wine and cigars. No wonder he felt so bad. Once out from under the covers, the air had a chill to it. This caused a chill colder than the morning air to run through Cooper. It was this time last year that he and Sophia had come to Savannah for the first time. Damn how time had flown.
***
The moon was bright and reflected off the dark waters. Only a few of Raven’s crew were on deck. One man moved forward toward the bow, probably to use the head with a degree of privacy offered by the night. Two men huddled together sitting on the deck leaning against the bulwark. The sweet smell of pipe tobacco drifted from where they sat forward to the quarterdeck. Raven was a good sailor but seemed to sail closer to the wind in the evening hours. The sound of the waves could be heard as they built up, crested, and then rolled away. The wake gave off a phosphorescent glow.
Staring down at the wake, Cooper’s mind wondered. The letter from his mother told him much the same news as what the twins had told him. Phillip had met her and Jean-Paul as he was entering a fine dining establishment. He paused long enough to say he was looking into having the trust funds revoked on the grounds that his father had been a sick man and didn’t know what he was doing. This was quickly dealt with. Jean-Paul, with the flick of his wrist, held a s
mall sword in his hand with the tip against Phillip’s companion’s throat.
“I think not,” he said. “You have ruined enough lives already. Should I hear another word on the matter, I will take matters into my own hands and you will find out how it feels to lose someone you care about.”
The fancy dressed young man could barely speak with the sword point pricking his skin. “Surely, Phillip misspoke. Were he to see the trust revoked, it would only be to add to it a greater sum, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure,” Jean-Paul snarled. He withdrew his blade and took a silk handkerchief from fancy pants and touched the skin where the blade had been. A spot of blood stained the handkerchief. “Such a messy thing…blades, they do cause one to bleed.”
Mother had gone on to say they would visit France for a few weeks and then return to England. The next thing that came to Cooper’s mind was the twins. They had elected to stay behind. Captain and the new Mrs. Taylor had graciously invited them to stay at their home for a while, which the twins readily accepted. It was for the best so that Josie could see James Anthony. The last night ashore, Jessie had spent time with Mac.
Cooper had talked with Eli and the two decided it would be a good thing to sail to Antigua with enough specie to pay off the mortgage on the Cain’s holdings. A letter from a local bank and one from a lawyer would be helpful but so would any help from the Anthonys or Sir Robert Basnight.
A shadow fell across Cooper. Turning, he saw Beau Cannington, the ship’s surgeon. The two talked for awhile. Beau had been in the shooting competition and had easily been beaten by Moses, who won the prize. He had improved greatly though since they first met.
“I thought you had won with your last shot,” Cooper said smiling.
“So had I,” Beau admitted. “But Moses was a better shot, a true marksman. He was good competition.”