“Very well William, I have changed my mind. Default will be tomorrow at noon. Have the crew assembled and have Lieutenant Davitts arrange for the Marines to stand lookout while we conduct our affairs. I won’t be caught off guard by the damned bloody Frenchman while we sort this lot out.” Grimes instructed.
“Sir, do you want him placed in irons in the meantime?” William asked.
“No Lieutenant Pike, I think what I have in mind will send a clear message to the crew. I will not tolerate a coward, nor a liar. These two will be dealt with accordingly. See to the crew Will, we will handle this. Have the master at arms there and ready with the cat and a hangman’s noose. That will be all Lieutenant,” said Grimes. The Captain then abruptly turned and left the deck, retiring to his cabin. Will was left on the quarterdeck to organize for the default. The crew would all need to be assembled and in proper uniform and prepared for whatever Captain Grimes had in mind.
William’s mind was abuzz while setting the crew to task, unsure of what the Captain planned to do exactly. He believed the account from Shelton, but did the Captain? What was he planning with the noose? Lieutenant Pike tried to remain focused on the crew, but the questions kept nagging him. If the Captain intended to punish both Lieutenant Cobb and Midshipman Shelton it would not be the first injustice he had witnessed in the King’s Navy.
Chapter 4
“Drowned Maiden”
18 Aug 1808
19 Degree 36’ N, 72 Degrees 59’ W
The Maiden and her recently captured prize ship sailed in concert approaching a narrow inlet near the north finger of the island of Haiti. Captain James had timed their sail precisely, doubling back several times over the last few days to ensure the pair of ships was not being followed. The inlet he was navigating towards was not on most charts carried by European navies and the sandbar guarding its entrance was only known to a handful of the most experienced sailors in the Caribbean. As the sunset blazed its way below the western horizon throwing magnificent violet and orange hues high into the sky the pair of ships slipped their way into the inlet, carefully navigating past the sandbar. A compliment of experienced sailors had gone aboard the prize ship, undertaking the process of teaching the freed slaves aboard seamanship and sailing. The disposal of the slaver crew bought a quick but uneasy trust from the former captives and it took days before they let their guard down enough to participate whole heartedly. But with careful and skilled instruction from the members of the Maiden’s crew, the recently freed slaves began handling the prize ship aptly.
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
