Calmer now, I turned my body and went headfirst to the bottom. Darkness surrounded me and I had to work by feel. My hand touched wood. Rotten from the seawater, it pulled away easily, the nails and straps having rusted away. I removed the plank, set it to the side and reached my hand into the opening. My hopes surged when I felt the smooth metal and struggled to pull a bar free. With the first of what I hoped were many, I worked backwards out of the cave and surfaced with the bar clutched tightly in my hand.
Unable to talk until the headgear was removed, I handed the bar to Shayla and heard her gasp. Mason and Blue worked the leather enclosure off my head and I was soon staring at the gold bar.
“How many?” Mason asked.
“Three, maybe four chests,” I answered and watched them as they passed the bar around. “Right then. We need a system to get it out of there. It’s in a hellish space, I’ll need help.”
Mason sent the skiff back to the ship with orders to bring rope and netting. While we waited, I lay with my shirt off in the sun, trying to warm up. The water had been colder than I expected. Shayla lay next to me and I guessed we were both dreaming about the pile of gold we were about to bring to light. The skiff returned and I gave orders to the new men. Suited up again, I was soon back in the water, clasping a light line in my hand. I was to secure it as best I could to allow Shayla an easy path to retrieve the treasure. With my other hand, I pulled a bundle of netting and line behind me.
I entered the cave again, on my belly this time, and slithered across the sandy bottom. It took a little longer moving in this fashion, but it eliminated the need to turn around. Before descending the last few feet to the gold, I spread out the net on the closest flat spot, hoping I would be able to reach it from below, and slid to the bottom. I pried the remaining boards and set them out of the way, then reached in and started to remove the gold bars. By reaching behind me, I was able to set them in the net, allowing Shayla to take the line to the surface, where the men hauled the chests up. I quickly lost count of the bars and worked mindlessly until my hands were raw and all the gold was removed before ascending. The first thing I saw after the headgear was off was the huge pile of golden bars on the rocks.
It took three loads to get the treasure, men and equipment back to the ship. When the gold came aboard I heard the cheers of the crew, but our celebration was cut short when the watch spotted storm clouds on the horizon. I wanted to reach the safety of the town’s harbor before they hit. We were underway in minutes and, with the wind on a beam reach, were soon away from the small island. I collapsed onto the deck and leaned against the rail, exhausted.
An hour later I heard the calls to furl the sails and the anchor splashed. I rose from the deck, my mouth dry, but feeling refreshed. My thirst sated from several ladles of water, I went to the helm. Mason and Rhames were talking, but stopped when I approached.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“Back to Haiti?” Rhames asked.
“Thought you’d lost your taste for the island,” I answered.
“We have some unfinished business there if you’re going,” Rhames said.
Chapter Thirty
I almost didn’t recognize my own ship when we entered the harbor. Mason had the Panther just about finished and the change was impressive. He had found some paint in town, and with new colors on the trim and gunports I doubted she would be recognized.
I split the pirates between the ships. We had decided that it was better to take both ships. The governor of the Caymans, from what I knew of him, was not about to let us vanish. Whether he had found out we sunk his frigate or not, he knew of the treasure in our holds and would likely have alerted his counterpart in Jamaica by now. Soon the word would spread and the Panther would be taken on sight. With both ships we would be able to defend ourselves.
There were several things that required attention, but they could wait. I wanted this adventure over and did not want the Panther out of my sight again. After a day and a half of clean sailing, we reached the coast of Haiti. It was my first inclination to send scouts ashore until I knew it was safe for Pierre. I had fought for his safety, but in the end he won and led the shore party. He was desperate to set foot on his home soil and see Cloe. Blue and I would stay with the skiff in case he needed to make a fast escape.
“Swift and I’s going with him,” Rhames said.
I thought I knew what they were after now. “Right then. But don’t interfere.”
Both ships anchored off the coast near the river we had made our escape from, and along with two French-speaking crewmen, we rowed ashore. Once past the surf at the inlet, we pulled to the west shore and watched Pierre, Rhames and Swift disappear into the brush, leaving Blue and me to the mosquitos.
I could hear giggling coming from the trail, and seconds later Rhames appeared, ushering three of the women ahead of him. Swift and a strange man followed. “I see you got what you came for,” I said to Rhames. “But three?”
In truth, I hoped the women would settle the men down some.
“Can’t leave Red out of the party, now can we?”
The stranger came forward and introduced himself. “Mr. Pierre is secure in the palace. He will be here at first light with carts and men.”
The man went on tell us that Cloe had held the palace, rallying the guards to Pierre’s cause in his absence, but the president in the South now held the Citadel. This was troubling news, but at least Pierre still held a foothold of power, though I suspected, after seeing the Citadel, that he would need more than the share of gold to take it.
I couldn’t believe the transformation when I saw Pierre standing on the beach the next morning. In uniform, with Cloe by his side, he looked the part of a leader. Shayla and I rowed out to meet them and sent the skiff back to the Caiman to bring his share of the gold. Cloe stood by him and interpreted for us.
“The president in the South wants to reunite the country as one. He has taken the Citadel and with the fortress in his possesion, we will not be able to take him,” Pierre said.
It was an odd reunion with his station changed and both of us knew this might be the last time we saw each other. “Surely your share of the gold would be enough to buy men and arms?” I asked.
“Maybe it would, but the fight would leave the country destitute. It is better for Haiti to have a united country than one devastated by civil war. The French would surely use that opportunity to attack.”
“Do you have a plan, then?”
“The president is rumored to be a good man. It is my thought to speak with him and unite the country,” he said proudly.
“But you would lose power.”
“The gold will buy me power and influence, if not with a high position in government then as the richest man in Haiti,” he laughed. “And it is better to be a rich free man than a poor French slave.”
I had to agree with him. He was last to leave and we stood on the trail together, watching the heavily guarded mule cart struggle to make its way up the hill to the castle, and embraced.
“You are always welcome here,” he said.
“And when they throw you out, there will be a spot on the crew for you,” I replied and we laughed.
“Where are you off to?”
“Back to Inagua. I’ve got some politics to handle.”
“Good luck to you,” he said.
“And you, my friend.”
We were halfway across the channel. Haiti’s mountains were still visible behind us, and the low form of Great Inagua had just appeared ahead. It was a quiet ship, with everyone exhausted from the last week, when the watch spotted a sail.
I climbed into the rigging with the glass and froze when I saw the Union Jack and the distinctive shape of the governor’s schooner.
“Get all the canvas we have up and call to the Caiman to do the same,” I yelled to the deck.
At once the ship picked up speed. We were on a collision course, the schooner looking to have just come from Inagua. “Load the guns. It�
�s going to be close.” There was a flurry of activity on deck. I looked over to the Caiman and saw the same. With two ships this would be an easier fight.
I waited, watching the schooner as the ships converged, and stared in surprise when the schooner veered away.
“She doesn’t know us,” Mason yelled up.
The work on the Panther had paid off and for the first time in months, I felt like a free man.
About the Author
Always looking for a new location or adventure to write about, Steven Becker can usually be found on or near the water. He splits his time between Tampa and the Florida Keys - paddling, sailing, diving, fishing or exploring.
Find out more by visiting www.stevenbeckerauthor.com or contact me directly at
[email protected].
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First Bite contains the first book in several of Steven Becker's series:
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Mac Travis Adventures: The Wood’s Series
It's easy to become invisible in the Florida Keys. Mac Travis is laying low: Fishing, Diving and doing enough salvage work to pay his bills. Staying under the radar is another matter altogether. An action-packed thriller series featuring plenty of boating, SCUBA diving, fishing and flavored with a generous dose of Conch Republic counterculture.
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★★★★★ Becker is one of those, unfortunately too rare, writers who very obviously knows and can make you feel, even smell, the places he writes about. If you love the Keys, or if you just want to escape there for a few enjoyable hours, get any of the Mac Travis books - and a strong drink
★★★★★This is a terrific series with outstanding details of Florida, especially the Keys. I can imagine myself riding alone with Mac through every turn. Whether it's out on a boat or on an island....I'm there
Kurt Hunter Mysteries: The Backwater Series
Biscayne Bay is a pristine wildness on top of the Florida Keys. It is also a stones throw from Miami and an area notorious for smuggling. If there’s nefarious activity in the park, special agent Kurt Hunter is sure to stumble across it as he patrols the backwaters of Miami.
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★★★★★ This series is one of my favorites. Steven Becker is a genius when it comes to weaving a plot and local color with great characters. It’s like dessert, I eat it first
★★★★★ Great latest and greatest in the series or as a stand alone. I don't want to give up the plot. The characters are more "fleshed out" and have become "real." A truly believable story in and about Florida and Floridians.
Tides of Fortune
What do you do when you’re labeled a pirate in the nineteenth century Caribbean
Follow the adventures of young Captain Van Doren as he and his crew try to avoid the hangman’s noose. With their uniques mix of skills, Nick and company roam the waters of the Caribbean looking for a safe haven to spend their wealth. But, the call “Sail on the horizon” often changes the best laid plans.
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★★★★★ This is a great book for those who like me enjoy "factional" books. This is a book that has characters that actually existed and took place in a real place(s). So even though it isn't a true story, it certainly could be. Steven Becker is a terrific writer and it certainly shows in this book of action of piracy, treasure hunting,ship racing etc
The Storm Series
Meet contract agents John and Mako Storm. The father and son duo are as incompatible as water and oil, but necessity often forces them to work together. This thriller series has plenty of international locations, action, and adventure.
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★★★★★ Steven Becker's best book written to date. Great plot and very believable characters. The action is non-stop and the book is hard to put down. Enough plot twists exist for an exciting read. I highly recommend this great action thriller.
★★★★★ A thriller of mega proportions! Plenty of action on the high seas and in the Caribbean islands. The characters ran from high tech to divers to agents in the field. If you are looking for an adrenalin rush by all means get Steven Beckers new E Book
The Will Service Series
If you can build it, sail it, dive it, and fish it—what’s left. Will Service: carpenter, sailor, and fishing guide can do all that. But trouble seems to find him and it takes all his skill and more to extricate himself from it.
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★★★★★ I am a sucker for anything that reminds me of the great John D. MacDonald and Travis McGee. I really enjoyed this book. I hope the new Will Service adventure is out soon, and I hope Will is living on a boat. It sounds as if he will be. I am now an official Will Service fan. Now, Steven Becker needs to ignore everything else and get to work on the next Will Service novel
★★★★★ If you like Cussler you will like Becker! A great read and an action packed thrill ride through the Florida Keys!
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