The Rebel cruisers had been one of the reasons Wake had been forced into the war. They had caused the Union merchant marine so much aggravation that insurance companies would not cover ships without exorbitant rates. Without coverage, the ships went idle and crews were subject to the conscription laws. But Semmes’ ship was only one of many cruisers the Confederate Navy had on the oceans, so Wake knew the sea depredations would go on along with those on land.
Rork’s visit to the newlyweds brought Wake more than orders and a report on the status of the St. James. He brought news from the squadron offices of another great naval victory at Mobile Bay. He heard from a yeoman that only a week earlier Admiral Farragut had pushed past the forts at the mouth of the bay and defeated the Confederates. Word had come from one of the ships involved that had put into Key West on her way up north for repairs. No longer would the port of Mobile be open to the blockade-runners.
Rork also brought word of the rumors going around the petty officers of the squadron, several of whom had actually attended the wedding, that Wake had married a “secesh” girl. Significantly, according to Rork, the talk was not barbed, but merely curious, as if it was one more odd thing “that danged Wake” had done. The bosun felt the talk had made it to the squadron’s officers but of course could not inquire in that quarter. Wake had not seen James Williams and so had no idea of the reaction of the leadership to the talk of his wedding.
Rork also reported that yellow fever had been found on the island. Sporadic cases had made their appearance all summer, but in the last several days they were coming in steadily. The army and naval surgeons were worried. The hospital was starting to fill. Rork and Wake were both relieved that Linda was getting away from the unhealthy island of Key West in this deadliest part of the summer season.
All of this information from the outside world made Wake cling to his new wife even more, trying to make every second count. He memorized their times together for those future moments in his cabin at sea when the privacy of his rank might allow him the luxury of returning to Linda in his mind.
Monday morning arrived far too quickly. Wake remembered that first morning in May of the year before when he had to force himself to do his duty and leave Linda to go out to sea on the Rosalie, an armed sloop that was his first command in the squadron. Many times over the last year he had had to do the same thing. This time it was so much harder, for she had become part of him, the best part of him. She was his anchor to what was good and kind and decent in the world. He knew that when he walked out the door he would go back into the rough world of men on ships in the deadly business of war, and he dreaded it.
They ended up walking out the door together in the hours before dawn when, except for the army’s guard patrols, the streets were deserted. Wake walked her to Ann Mary’s home on Eaton Street, where she would stay in a back room until time to embark on the steamer. She only had what she could carry, and to Wake’s misty eyes she looked very pitiful. Linda’s attitude was the opposite of her appearance though, and she buoyed up his spirits once more by making the entire ordeal an adventurous lark. Laughing and with a wink of her eye, she told him she would be his South Sea girl on that island called Useppa, waiting for his arrival with various kinds of fruits and pleasures. They kissed good-bye as Ann Mary stood behind them, sighing with the romance of it all and watching out for any family member who might come awake at this odd hour and see them.
At last Wake set his jaw and turned away, trying not to show the tears welling up in his eyes. He marched off down the street without a glance back. He had many things to think about and needed a clear head to do it. As he walked toward the docks he went over again in his mind what he had talked about with Hervey Newton. The islanders would take care of Linda and treat her as one of their own until the war ended and he and Linda could make a proper home somewhere. Newton had been honored that Wake would ask him to help and had assured him Linda would be made welcome.
Arriving at the St. James as the sky was beginning to lighten, Wake saw that the crew was up and at their stations. Rork greeted him in a cheerful manner, and as Wake responded likewise he felt his demeanor returning to the lonely manner of a captain of a warship. Ordering Rork to get her under way, he watched as the crew, many with smiles in his direction, went about their business with a minimum of fuss and noise. Observing the men on the foredeck haul away on the foresail halliard, he heard a voice that startled him because it shouldn’t have been there.
It was White, the coxswain, moving slowly but still vigorously supervising the activity forward. Rork saw his expression and came over to Wake.
“Sorry, sir. I forgot to tell ya about the cox’n. The ol’ boyo has some considerable charm, ya know, an’ was able to talk his way out of the hospital and get back aboard. Had a paper sayin’ he could, signed by the surgeon all proper like. Wound is clean an’ he jus’ needs to
