Crossbone Children and the Orphans of Avalon

by Gregory Ellis

  Captain Malins, replied, "Aye, Sir, understood. When do you want the cannon fired?"

  "When I say, Captain!"

  Anxious to end this, Peck took a few steps toward the shore and said to himself, "Where are they, we should be able to see them by now." He craned his neck in an effort to see out in the black water. Then as if he were afraid his eyes were playing tricks on him, he thought he could see the outlines of the two boats. He rubbed his eyes and stared again - there they were.

  He called out, "Standby, Malins!" No reply from the commander.

  John and Buster Jack watched the boats as they came closer to the shore. They could see there were two boys in each, struggling to guide the boats through the surf to the shore. They felt helpless as they watched their friends land on the beach. All they could do was wait and hope that whoever was in the boats would be able to escape.

  Peck glanced over at John. "Feeling a bit distressed, Lord Henry? You need'n be! All you so called Crossbone Children will be joining you shortly." He stepped closer to the boys. "You see out there in the dark, four ships await my command to descend on your ship and take all aboard as prisoners. One of those ships is a king's ship. You might even know it, the Achilles. A ship-of-the-line with fifty guns."

  John turned his face to see Peck. "Can't speak? How terrible!" Peck said. "Now watch your friends' doom!"

  Peck waited until both boats were beached and yelled, "Now, Captain Malins!"

  Malins pulled out his sword and yelled, "Charge!" The one hundred men charged down the beach, their fixed bayonets on their muskets glinted beams of moonlight as they ran through the sand toward the four boys who were now scrambling to get into one boat.

  Ethan and Cole pushed the boat free of the sand and jumped in as all four grabbed the oars and struggled to get the boat moving again. On the beach they heard someone command, "Shoot them, Captain,. Don't let them get away!"

  Malins hesitated - shooting children was not what a professional soldier did. Yet, he was under the command of the acting governor of Jamaica, what could he do? "He called out, "Fire on the boats, Lads!" Not wanting to shoot children, only a few fired their muskets as they stood at the water's edge. After a moment, the boat disappear into the dark.

  Peck came running up. "Captain, fire the cannon!"

  Malins yelled, "Sergeant, fire!" The slow match was held to the cannon which barked out its power and a long lick of fire shot out of the end of the artillery piece and lit up the night sky for a split second, then it was dark again.

  Peck stood at the water's edge and tried to see what was going on out in the black ocean. He could not see the Pendragon as he had expected, he could not see the small boat either. He ran over to the second boat and saw four chests in the bottom. They were not locked so he selected one and opened it.

  He stared in the dim moonlight at the contents of the chest. Slowly he reached down and picked up something - a rock. He held it up in the moonlight to study it and slowly turned it in his hand. He threw it down and rummaged through the chest - rocks was all it contained. He did the same with the three remaining chests with the same results - rocks!

  He ran over to John and Jack, "Apparently your friends do not count your lives worth returning my property. Now you'll hang. Right here! Right now!" he yelled and slapped John across the face. John fell in the sand but Thaddeus pulled him up by the rope that bound him. The kerchief was knocked out of this mouth and fell down around his neck. He glared at Peck and said, "Not so easy is it, Sir Duncan. Not everyone does as you expect."

  Peck drew back his hand to strike the boy but hesitated as he said, "Captain Malins, fetch a rope… we have a hanging to perform!"

  Marlins strode up to the Peck and sheathed his sword, "Sir, we have no rope with us."

  Peck turned to Thaddeus, "Do you have a suitable rope?"

  Nervous, Thaddeus replied, "No… no, Sir. No rope other than what's on these two gits."

  Peck placed his hands on his hips and looked up at the moon and contemplated what to do next. He turned as he finally made up his mind and announced, "Very well. We shall hang them tomorrow morning at Gallows Point, for the whole town to see."

  He continued to look out over the water expecting to see cannon flashes as his ships located and attacked the Pendragon, but none was forthcoming. They waited on the beach for nearly an hour waiting to see some sign the ships had engaged. Finally a boat was seen coming toward the shore. It was not the small boat the boys had used, but a larger cutter - fully manned by men - the sweeps dipping and rising as they rowed towards the shore.

  When the boat finally reached the shore, Captain Doddle stepped out of the boat and walked up to Peck, "Beg to report, Sir - no ship was sighted. We had the area surrounded as ordered. They must have left before we arrived, we saw nothing, Sir."

  Peck closed his eyes as if he were in pain. "Did you at least capture the little boat with the four children in it?"

  Doddle shifted his weight before he answered. "No, Sir. We didn't see no boat with children in it." He glanced over at the chests sitting in the boat the boys left behind, "Did you get the treasure, Sir Duncan?" Peck turned around and walked back up the beach without saying anything to anyone.

  Captain Malins commented, "Just rocks. That's all that was in them chests! Sir Duncan is might angry at the results of tonight I'd say." He smiled and turned towards his men who had just been standing around not knowing what to do next. "Sergeant, secure the cannon. Then fall the men in and march back to the fort. That's enough mischief for one night I'd say. Good exercise, what!"

  John turned to Doddle, "Where'd you maroon my father?" His eyes glared at the man.

  "Shut up!" was all Doddle said. He walked back to the cutter and climbed in. The men pushed it out in the water and headed back out to their ship.

  Thaddeus led the two boys back up the beach - following Sir Duncan. John looked at Buster Jack and smiled as they walked. Secretly, John knew that Captain Turnbuckle was a clever man. Being a pirate made a man think differently and to take chances other men would not. What would happen tomorrow, he did not know. He knew they had not seen the last of Turnbuckle's surprises, so for now, they would just have to wait.

  The eastern sky was already much lighter than it had been a few moments ago. Captain Turnbuckle and his men waited - hidden among the trees that lined the anchorage of Port Royal. He leaned against a palm tree. He took his telescope and surveyed the horizon. He caught sight of what they had been waiting for all night - the masts of four ships about to enter the harbor.

  "Here they come lads - just awhile yet and we'll be back aboard our ship what rightfully belongs to us." A few of the men had fallen asleep in the grass or leaned against the tree trunks. "Be good to be stand'n on the deck of the ol' Bridget!" he smiled.

  As he watched the slow approach of the ships, he further formulated the plan. "Listen lads, the Bridget will tie up to the dock and the others will anchor out in the bay. When Capt'n Doddle and whoever with him leave the ship, they'll just have an anchor watch and the rest be asleep in their hammocks 'cause they been up all night. We wait a bit then rush down the dock and board her. Once we have control, we'll keep up the charade that all be well aboard the ship. Anyone that boards her will be captured. After that…" he did not finish.

  Chapter 28

  Escape

  At sunrise, soldiers on horseback rode through the streets of Port Royal announcing a double-hanging was to take place at nine o'clock and that two members of the Crossbone Children were to be executed for piracy at Gallows Point. The public was urged to turn out to see the spectacle.

  The two captured boys stayed at Sir Duncan's plantation in a small pantry with no windows and one door. There was no escape possible. In hushed tones the boys passed the time by talking about their young lives and what they would miss most if the executions were carried out. During that time, John assured Buster Jack, Captain Turnbuckle and Mr. Cumberbatch were planning something to rescue them, and the episode on the bea
ch was just a ruse - a trick to help their plan. There was still time.

  "Don't you think Ava will also have something to say as well?" John asked his friend.

  "I suppose so. She can be very stubborn when it comes to gett'n her way." Buster Jack smiled but the smile was not very convincing. From the exertions during the night, they couldn't help but fall asleep for a short time.

  At eight o'clock, the door suddenly opened and both of them awoke with a start. Thaddeus stood in the doorway with a whip in his hands. Two men stood behind him and he instructed them to bind the boys' hands. They were marched out the back door of the mansion and around to the side of the house where a one-horse cart stood waiting to take them to Port Royal and Gallows Point. They were hoisted into the cart and tied to one of the four posts on the corners of the cart. They could sit or stand as they pleased. Thaddeus inspected their bindings, "They'll be no gett'n out of this!" he smiled and spat something out of his mouth - brown strings of spittle ran down his chin as his cold eyes looked over the boys. "Pity, I could've used strong boys like you in the fields. Wouldn't have lasted long but still…" he did not finish, he saw Peck walking towards them.

  Sir Duncan Peck, dressed in his best clothing befitting a rich plantation owner, arrived and without a word to the boys snapped his fingers. A young black slave rushed out of the stable leading his horse. The stable boy held the animal as Peck climbed up and into the saddle.

  As Peck sat erect in the saddle he noticed the boy was looking at the those in the cart. "Neville, if you want to join them on the gallows, I can make that happen." Peck said sternly.

  Neville looked down at the dusty road and replied, "No, Sir."

  "Then attend to your duties, or Mr. Thaddeus will give you a taste of his whip!"

  Four more men arrived on horseback, each carrying a musket and brace of pistols stuck in their belts. Peck instructed the men to shoot anyone trying to interfere. The four riders appeared ready and willing to do just that.

  John said defiantly, "We've not had a trial yet."

  Peck laughed and mockingly said, "There will be no trial. I've had a belly full of you and your friend! Now you must pay for your crimes."

  Thaddeus climbed onto the driver's bench and waited. Peck cantered to the front of the group and motioned them to follow. The cart lurched forward and the boys settled down onto the floor of the cart. As they passed Neville, the stable boy, he looked up at John and Buster Jack, then slowly raised his arms and crossed them over his chest. A smile spread across the boy's face - his eyes wide with hope. The two boys looked down at Neville - not sure what the symbol meant - crossed arms folded across his chest. Buster Jack whispered to John, "Does he know something we don't?"

  John quietly replied, "Aye, he knows everything we don't!" John nodded to the boy and returned the smiled. "So keep a sharp eye out. I think there's a plan."

  ————

  As the morning sun rose higher, Edward Turnbuckle's crew quietly and methodically attacked the Bridget as she sat tied up to the dock. The anchor watch was quickly subdued and the rest of the crew below decks were captured, tied up and gagged. In small groups they were herded up on deck and put ashore. An abandoned warehouse nearby provided the location to keep them in. Each was stripped of his clothing and tied together. The doors and windows locked from the outside. It would be some time before they were discovered since they put a quarantine flag on the building notifying everyone, there was disease inside.

  Captain Turnbuckle had a few men change into the clothes of the Doddle's crew so they would look like the regular crew and remain on deck as the anchor watch.

  As the small procession of cart and horses moved towards Port Royal, the people along the road grew in numbers. Here and there the boys saw the children in the throng, lift their arms and cross them as Neville did back at the plantation. The condemned still did not know what it meant, but the gesture gave them hope as they came closer to their destination, Gallows Point.

  Gallows Point was at the far end of the town and looked out over the entrance to the harbor. All ships bound for port could see where breaking the law would lead them. Pirates, murderers, thieves and the various other scum of society were brought here to hang for all to see.

  The town of Port Royal was unusually full of people at this early hour. Apparently when word went out that two pirates were to be hung, they gathered to watch this special event. They enjoyed a good hanging as much as anyone and today was to be a special one, two young boys accused of piracy. The crowd thickened the closer they got to Gallows Point. The four guards around the cart were kept busy watching the crowd as they slowly made their way down the main street of the town.

  John whispered to Buster Jack, "There's the Green Flash Tavern." Both looked over at the tavern and saw Cumberbatch's friend, Fulke Olingworth standing in the door wearing his apron.

  Olingworth nodded to the boys and glanced to his right. The boys followed his gaze and saw a woman wearing a cape standing to his right. She held a parasol which hid most of her face, but there was no mistaken her. "Ava!" whispered Buster Jack.

  John watched as the parasol was slowly lifted revealing her face. John smiled, "Yes it is!" He held her gaze as they passed by. She smiled at her brother and John as she pushed back the cape slightly. They saw she was dressed in her pirate clothing, armed with a sword and pistol.

  Buster Jack tore his eyes from his sister, "John! She can be killed while on shore!"

  John considered the look in her eyes - her chin lifted in defiance and determination - no fear! "I'd say anyone who gets in her way will have need to be afraid!"

  The closer to they got to Gallows Point, the bigger the crowd became. Peck had to call out to the crowd to get back, "In the King's name, clear the street!" he yelled. That only incited the crowd even more. He drew his sword. "Clear the road I tell you! I'm the acting governor! I'll have you arrested and hung along with these two if you do not withdraw!"

  The crowd parted to let the cart and horses pass, but everywhere they looked, they saw local children crossing their arms and smiling, dozens of them, perhaps even hundreds. There were so many, they did not even try to hide it from Peck and his men.

  Peck reined his horse in, the cart horses stopped. "Mr. Thaddeus, take the prisoners to the gallows." commanded Peck.

  "We're here." whispered John. "Be ready - it's now or never!"

  Thaddeus jumped into the cart and untied the boys from the cart. He kept their hands tied and pushed them out of the cart, each landing hard in the dirt.

  The boys struggled to stand but as they did so, Odis Ironpool stepped up on a barrel and yelled for all to hear. "Now!" Odis jumped down off the barrel and using his bow, he struck Thaddeus across the face. Thaddeus fell to the street without a sound.

  The adults in the crowd stepped back away from the commotion as the children took charge of the situation. Dozens of children leapt up and pulled the men from their saddles - disarming them as they were thrown to the street. Heavy canvas bags were quickly placed over their heads and hands tied behind their backs.

  Peck was surrounded and in a similar fashion, was stripped of his weapons and thrown to the ground, a bag placed over his head and his hands tied behind him. He lay kicking and cursing on the street but the children held him fast - he was going nowhere.

  John and Buster Jack were shocked at the sudden and complete attack of the children. They stood watching, mesmerized by what was happening. Now, Ava stood before them. She pulled the cape off her shoulders and let it fall to the ground. "Didn't think we would let you hang for all of us, did you?" In a flash she pulled out her knife, cut the ropes and freed them from the bonds. The boy who had yelled the command was suddenly by their side as well. "Odis, this is John Henry and my brother Buster Jack - or just Jack." She grinned and threw her arms around her brother.

  Odis said to John, "Quick, we're not safe yet, follow me!"

  The four of them ran through the crowd toward the gallows. John asked, "Why are we go
ing here?"

  Odis stopped and pointed towards the water, "There's the reason."

  The Pendragon lay just a hundred yards off the point. John turned and said to Buster Jack, "Told you they would come for us!"

  "It was she who pushed us to do this!" Odis said with a smile, pointing to Ava.

  Ava quickly said, "Well, not just me, but many…"

  "Sorry to interrupt, Girl, but we must get down into the boat while we still can." explained Odis. "My people can only hold Peck and his men for so long."

  "Of course." She said.

  Odis led them down the steep rocky embankment where the jolly boat was waiting with Ethan and the Seachrist boys - oars at the ready, waiting to take them out to their ship.

  John motioned Buster Jack and Ava to get in the boat. He stood and held out his hand to Odis, "Thank you, Odis. We owe our lives to you and your friends."

  Odis took his hand, "No life is owed. You have struck a blow for all who are slaves."

  "You're a slave?" John asked.

  "Was. I'm a runaway now."

  John turned to get into the boat, then turned back and said, "Come with us. We could use a good hand."

  Odis smiled, "Another day perhaps."

  John nodded, "Yes, I hope so! Be sure and tell the others of our appreciation and tell them if they ever need help, we'll be there."

  John climbed into the boat and shoved off. Cole commanded, "Out oars, give way together!" Cole pushed the tiller bar over and aimed the boat toward the Pendragon. Buster Jack was already trying to tell Ava and the other boys in the boat all that happened to them over the last few days.

  Odis stood watching the boat leave. His shirt was unbuttoned to the waist, the bow was slung over his shoulder and the quiver of arrows hung from his hand. He finally turned and walked back up the slope but not before he smiled and waved. John saw Ava return the wave and continue to watch Odis as he left.