H.M.S Valor Page 9
The Maiden led the way into the mouth of the inlet, Lilith sitting on the larboard rail facing the shore her feet dangling precariously over the water. She gazed up at the high cliffs overlooking the entrance to the inlet as they approached, the brilliance of the painted dusk starkly broken by the shadows of the bluffs. Lilith traced her eyes along the shore, scanning the coastline and high cliffs that descended farther inland. The inlet widened as they crept inland and Lilith could see in the failing light the cliffs descended to meet the water at a white sand beach overshadowed at its upper edge by the dense canopy of rain forest. Behind them only a narrow channel of open sea remained visible and the high bluffs concealed their ships and masts from view. Anyone pursuing them would only have a slight field of view inward to spot the hiding vessels.
The hues of dusk finally faded away as the ships found their destination deep in the inlet, giving way to a tapestry of stars bold and beautiful like Lilith had never witnessed before. The crews made quick work of reefing sail and stowing line, dropping anchor with the Maiden facing her starboard broadside at the mouth of the inlet and the prize ship anchored just inland. They were close enough to swim ashore, but Lilith had no mind for that, yet she was taking in the cooling night air and marveling the heavens. The crew was finally able to unwind in the relative safety of the cove, drinking and conversations carried softly in the air from both vessels and soon the smell of cooking meat and spices filled the night. Lilith looked about the deck of the Maiden for Chibs, she had grown close to the fatherly sailor and often enjoyed conversing with him in the evenings. As she scanned the crew on deck a slight tap on her shoulder caught her attention. Lilith turned to see Captain James, a warm smile on his face and a mug in each hand.
“Our introductions the other day were not under favorable circumstances. I was hoping you would allow me another chance. I swear this time I won’t ask you to burn anyone.” James said holding up a mug for Lilith to take.
“Of course Captain.” Lilith replied taking the mug and drank deeply. It was a strong ale and Lilith coughed slightly after drawing a chuckle from James.
“Star gazing for miss Lilith tonight? Have you eaten yet?” James asked.
“No Sir, I’m afraid I don’t have much appetite.” Lilith answered, sitting back on the quarterdeck and looking skyward again. “I’ve never really seen stars like this before. I can’t believe I’ve gone my whole life never noticing, never taking even a moment…” her voice trailed off.
“Living as a slave, it’s survival, you cannot fault yourself for that lady,” said James as he sat on the rail by where Lilith leaned back. He could see in the faint light from lanterns on deck her eyes welled with tears. “I was stolen from my village with my family by Dutch slavers. They sailed us to Curacao and we were all sold at market like goats. We were all bought by cane and coffee farms in Jamaica. Unfortunately, I was destined for a different farm than my parents. It took me several years and I had to kill a man, but I made my escape to search for them.”
“Did you find them?” Lilith asked as James paused slightly, drinking his ale.
“I’m afraid not. I was caught days after my escape, beaten and sold to another slaver who arranged for my transport to America aboard this very ship. It was Chibs’ mutiny that saved me from that fate, I owe him everything. He taught me seamanship and sailing. He taught me how to handle a sword and gunnery, navigating by day or night but the most precious thing Chibs ever taught me is that there are good men in this world. No matter how hard it is to come by them at times, there are good people.” James replied. He looked skyward with Lilith and drained the last of his mug. The night had cooled to a pleasant, comfortable temperature and the skies were clear and brilliant. Songs from both ships echoed in the cove and James could see Lilith’s eyes had cleared as she still gazed up at the heavens. After a long moment of silence, he began pointing out stars for navigating, constellations large and small. He told Lilith the stories and myths behind the major constellations as the glow of the moon rose over the cliffs on the eastern edge of the cove. It was a waxing moon past quarter full and her pale light shone down illuminating everything in sight. In between the tales inspired by the constellations James looked to see if Lilith was still engaged, pausing momentarily once, he was caught off guard by her beauty. The moonlight reflected off her features and shined in her almond eyes, giving her an angelic glow. Catching his thoughts, James resumed the story he had been telling only to find it more and more difficult to focus.
After a couple of hours, the songs from the crew had died away, sailors made their way to their hammocks, retiring for the night. Eventually, all that remained on deck was the sailors on watch, Lilith and James. James was fighting a yawn and telling the eternal hunt of Orion for Taurus when he looked down to Lilith and saw she was fast asleep, her mug of ale tipped over and a small dribble spilled onto the deck. James fetched a blanket from below deck and draped it over her as she slept, he gave one last look at her face and figure in the glow of the moon and disappeared below to his cabin.
The first glow of dawn brought a flurry of activity to the Drowned Maiden and her prize ship. Crew set about refitting the slave ship from her old profession. The iron bars creating cells below deck were stripped out, shackle mounts were removed and gathered into a barrel so the iron could be re-purposed elsewhere. Cleaning below deck was arduous and gut-wrenching work. Piles of feces had to be shoveled out and deck boards all washed, bulkheads and hatches all needed to be washed and the galley was all but gutted. Above deck, line lockers were in disarray, several blocks in the rigging needed to be replaced and even the rudder line that ran through the ship’s wheel was in questionable condition. Long into the hot Haitian afternoon crews went about cleaning and repair, shuttling back and forth to the Maiden for supplies and tools on longboats, bringing fresh hands for work with every trip.
On the quarterdeck of the Maiden, Captain James and Chibs discussed the information they had learned from the slaver crew. Neither man seemed to notice Trina and Lilith at the foot of the stairs that lead down to the main deck, the pair were splicing line while Trina educated Lilith on sailing maneuvers. James had brought a chart out from his cabin and he looked over it with Chibs while they discussed plans to present to the crew.
“We just took one of their ships. The Caribbean fleet is going to be out in force looking for her. The prudent thing would be to wait it out for a while.” Chibs said.
“I disagree Chib. I think if we strike now, we need to hit the slaver fleet before they realize we have taken one of their ships. Right now we have good information on their anchorage and the camp they are using. We could burn their whole fleet at anchor, we could raid their camp and set scores of captives free. But we lose our surprise advantage the longer we wait.” James countered. Chibs could only shake his head. James was a stubborn man and a bold tactician of Chibs’ own making. James’ plan had its merits and when presented to the crew would likely carry the vote. Other matters were discussed, candidates for Captaincy on the prize ship and the name of the vessel were foremost.
With the refitting of the prize ship underway well into the evening, Captain James halted their work to call the entire crew of the Maiden and the freed slaves together onto the deck of the Drowned Maiden. Lilith stood amongst the crowd of sailors, freedmen and women taking in the chatter around her. The warm evening air was thick with tension and excitement. Captain James climbed up onto the rail of the quarterdeck, wearing the same cutlass Lilith had used to torment the captured slaver. He unsheathed the sword and held it out over the crowd.
“Quiet down you lot of brigands!” James yelled out over the ship. His shouts were met with raucous laughter, cheers and shouts in reply. James laughed and turned to Chibs, who was taking a deep drink from a rum bottle pilfered off their prize. Chibs handed the bottle to James and climbed up beside him onto the rail. James took a drink for himself and Chibs held his hands up in the air. The crowd of sailors cheered and shouted all the louder. When J
ames had finished his pull from the rum bottle he handed it back to Chibs and drew a long pistol out of his waistband, he cocked the piece and held it up firing into the air over the side of the ship. After a moment of the shot echoing through the cove and the smoke clearing away in the gentle breeze, the crew finally began to settle, quieting enough for their Captain to be heard.
“We have a vote to call tonight! But first, we have a ship to name!” James shouted out with a show of fanfare. The crew cheered again in a frenzy of shouts, but this time as the Captain started to resume speaking, they quieted in turn. “The slave ship was named ‘Carolina Shepherd’, which is too fine a name for the lot of us!” The sailors went wild shouting and cheering, clanking together mugs and slapping shoulders. Several shots rang out into the air from pistols in the crowd. Chibs stood and raised his voice to meet the chaos, “The Captain has seen fit to name the prize himself! She will be the ‘Unholy Shepherd’!” This sent the whole crowd into another fit of cheers and shouts which lasted several minutes until Captain James raised his voice again.
“Now we will hold our vote for the Shepherd’s Captain. Whoever hopes him or herself a Captain of the Unholy Shepherd, to command and sail her from the hour you set foot on deck until your death, step forward and be considered.” James commanded. The reaction for the crew was much quieter, a murmur of chatter among them and two sailors stepped up toward the quarterdeck. Trina, the woman who had taken to teaching Lilith the ways of seamanship stepped forward. Immediately after her was a very large African man known as Big Bob who had been on the crew of the Maiden as long as Captain James, his stature was massive as he was broad of shoulder and stood a full head and a half taller than everyone on board. Big Bob was a name given to the large man by Chibs himself when they found his native name quite unpronounceable. James and Chibs looked over the two who had approached for the crew’s consideration, a silent nod of approval was shared between Captain and Quartermaster.
“Both these sailors would prove good commanders; they carry the approval of the Captain and myself. All in favor of Trina as Captain raise a hand and hold it high.” Chibs said, hands arose all through the crew. It was an obvious majority though Chibs went through the measure of counting each hand in the interest of thoroughness. “And all in favor of Big Bob.” Chibs continued, counting through the show of hands, though every man and woman aboard already knew the outcome. Chibs, leaned over to Captain James and muttered something. With a big smile James stepped back up towards the rail and announced, “Cheers for Captain Trina! Step up here Captain and name your First Mate.”
“Big Bob will be First Mate on the Shepherd. It’s only fair to keep him on the quarterdeck, there’s no way the giant will fit below deck!” Trina announced, jesting at Big Bob with a broad smile. The crew cheered and laughed, Chibs smacked Big Bob on his massive shoulder in congratulation. Drinking and song carried on throughout the remaining evening and well into the night while the Captains and both First Mates withdrew to Captain James’ cabin to begin making plans to present their respective crews in the morning.
H.M.S Valor
15 Aug 1808
44 Degrees 10’ N, 18 Degrees 9’ W
All crew were assembled on the main deck of the Valor as the last bell signaling the hour of noon was struck. A watch crew of marines and sailors ensured the ship remained on course and kept a sharp watch for sails on the horizon. Captain Grimes walked onto the quarterdeck with Lieutenant Pike at his side, both looking magnificent in their full formal uniforms. William called the crew to attention and Captain Grimes read aloud the articles of war. William could feel his legs tighten and feet ache as the process drug on, the articles were exhaustive but regulation and tradition demand they be read aloud once per month and before all disciplinary proceedings aboard ship. It took the better part of half the hour, but each article was read aloud outlining disciplinary infractions and their subsequent required punishments. When Johnathan began reading the article dealing with cowardice, misbehavior before the enemy or refusing to engage an enemy when ordered, a chill shot up William’s spine. Captain Grimes gave no emphasis or significance to the article as he read it and continued to the next when he finished. A surprising number of the articles were punishable by death, but William’s mind was stuck on misbehavior before the enemy. His mind raced, wondering if Grimes was about to hang Midshipman Shelton, if not, why had he asked for a noose to be hung? Why had he asked for the cat of nine to be on hand? Would he flog a man and then hang him?
At the conclusion of reading the articles Captain Grimes paused momentarily, looking out over the assembled crew.
“Master at Arms bring forward Lieutenant Cobb.” Grimes commanded. His tone belied no emotion, no hint of pride or sadness or grief under the protocol of military bearing. Lieutenant Cobb was escorted in up in front of the crew, facing the Captain, a petty officer at each shoulder. “Lieutenant Alexander Cobb, you are hereby brought forth under my command as Captain of the H.M.S Valor under the charge of falsifying testimony against a member of this crew. The officer in question was accused by you of cowardice in the face of the enemy, when in fact witnesses to the event have stated that you did order the man to complete a task which would remove said officer from the line of fire. I am further charging you with conduct unworthy an officer of the naval service for the malicious nature of your conduct, which if left unchecked by a witness would have resulted in an innocent and dutiful member of this crew being hanged this day. How do you respond to these charges?” said Grimes.
“I have nothing to say Sir.” Cobb responded, his voice ragged, rage broiling under the surface.
“Very well then. Master at Arms, remove Cobb’s jacket. Alexander Cobb, you are hereby relieved of the rank of Lieutenant. You will receive twelve lashings and serve aboard as an able seaman from this day forth. You shall be paid as an able seaman and receive no promotion for one year.” Grimes rattled out. The Master at Arms and his petty officers removed Cobb’s jacket and began binding his hands to a wooden lattice to receive the corporal portion of his discipline. He was given a doubled over leather strap to bite into. Every man aboard not on duty was required to watch as Cobb received exactly twelve reminders of the hierarchy aboard ship and forever embedding the consequence of lying to his commanding officer. The first two lashes of the cat of nine tails were met with a nothing more than a silent grimace from Cobb. He looked through the lattice he was bound to, hanging aloft just feet away and overhead was a hangman’s noose. Captain Grimes’ not so subtle indicator of the grave consequences when discipline broke down. The third lash broke the skin and Cobb let a gasp and writhed from the pain, a fourth followed shortly scattering blood on the petty officer wielding the whip. Cobb cried out and a fifth stoke hit him as his voice rose into the rigging. William could feel the skin on his back crawl and his stomach was in knots. On the sixth hit Cobb lost his footing, he received the rest of his punishment dangling by his wrists bound to the wooden lattice. By the twelfth and final lash Cobb was in a state of shock, barely conscious with his back dripping blood, inflamed and his limbs trembling beyond control. He was cut down and assisted by two sailors to the ship’s doctor to be bandaged up.
“Mr. Shelton, approach.” Captain Grimes commanded. Will’s hair stood up on the backs of his arms, his neck felt a sudden swelter and legs a tremble. Midshipman Shelton presented himself before the quarterdeck, slightly pale and visibly nervous himself. “Mr. Shelton, I have been informed of your behavior before the enemy on the gun line. It seems that if it weren’t for your quick thinking this ship would have suffered grave consequence, both to the ship and her crew. Remove your coat lad, you’ve new rank to go on it. I won’t have a man show such mettle and remain a mid a day longer on my watch. It just so happens there is a vacant billet aboard this vessel.” Will could not help but smile, if not for the young man whose face was also beaming with pride, but also for his ridiculous inclination that Grimes was about to punish him. Though William had seen injustices aboard ship, h
anging the accused midshipman would have been the gravest. Mutinies occurred over less.
Will entered the Captain’s cabin to find Johnathan Grimes brooding. The day had turned hot as the afternoon wore on and a shift of the wind, while favorable for the course they were sailing, gave rise to the worries of foul weather. The captain had a chart and the ship’s log spread out on the table he was seated at. Johnathan had entrenched himself into the charts on the table and scarcely looked up at William as he approached.
“The key to this Will, is going to be finding a route into Nassau that won’t leave us exposed or at a disadvantage should that French sloop reappear.” Johnathan muttered. “We can’t afford to be caught off guard, but we most certainly must take on fresh water in Nassau. I tinkered with the idea of bypassing her and making sail straight for Kingston, but if we wind up engaged, we could find ourselves in bad footing, half ration of fresh water in the Caribbean in late summer. That won’t do.”
“Nassau seems our best option Sir.” Will offered, looking at the chart. “The Frenchman likely came to his senses, they did witness us defeat two ships in one encounter, one considerably out of our class. Perhaps we crossed out of their limits of engagement even. I doubt we should see that particular warship again Sir.”
“I agree with your assessment Lieutenant, but we must consider all possibilities. Something else has been troubling me though and I want to discuss it with you. See to it there is no lurker listening outside the door.” Johnathan said. William silently got up and checked the gangway outside the door to find no one, he shut the door and returned into the cabin wondering at his Captain’s odd behavior.