“What do you intend to do once they anchor in Kingston?” Alton asked, wincing slightly as though afraid to hear the answer.
“That is of no concern to you Lord Governor. Now pull yourself out another paper, you have a letter to write to the garrison commander here in Kingston.” Tim said easing himself into a chair.
“Who should I have deliver these orders?” Alton asked timidly.
“We’ll say it won’t be you and leave it at that, now get to it Governor. You wouldn’t want to agitate me further, would you?”
Drowned Maiden
18 Sept 1808
17 Degrees 48’ N, 76 Degrees 7’ W
The wind filled the Maiden’s sails under a sky of roiling dark clouds threatening to open into a storm at any moment. Lilith dutifully stood at the helm, a new duty to her since the last storm but one she found greatly to her liking. She felt powerful at the wheel of the ship, in control of her destiny in a way she had never felt before. Minding the course she was given while adjusting for wind and wave kept her mind focused. In addition to the feeling of control and power, Lilith enjoyed being near Chibs and James as they were never too far from the helm for very long. The feeling of wind on her face and the smell of the sea spray lifted her spirits higher than the masts reaching far above the deck. Occasionally songs would break out on deck and Lilith loved that most, she only knew certain parts, but hearing the crew pitch together in unison meant their spirits were good and it endeared them all to her fondly. Rough and haggard by appearance, Lilith had learned that most of the sailors on the Drowned Maiden were good, kind people who had made tough choices in extreme circumstances. Even Captain James, who at times displayed a fierce propensity for violence that made her blood chill, Lilith had seen James’ tenderness. Lost in her thoughts, she did not see Chibs as he approached her.
“You’re doing a fine job Miss Lilith but tend her a bit closer to the wind and we’ll coax another knot or two of speed. There’s a sail off yonder and I think Captain James is of mind to catch her.” Chibs said in his familiar brogue.
“Do you think they’re more slavers Chib?” Lilith asked as she made the correction he suggested.
“No telling Miss. There are a hundred reasons they could have been headed for the bay. They may not have even intended the bay at all, that weather may have forced them off their destined course. But. There’s a chance they’re hauling slaves and James isn’t going to pass at least having a look.” Chibs replied. He’d lit his pipe and smoke billowed through his nose and mouth as he spoke. Lilith thought for a moment.
“Chibs. Are slaver ships they only ones the Maiden has taken?” She asked lowering her voice just a little, she almost feared the answer.
“Well. No dear. No, we’ve plundered several ships strictly carrying cargo. But James has never let a slave ship cross our path without challenge. Even one who had us outgunned. An old refitted ship of the line, she had us dead to rights if she would’ve gotten the wind on us. I had James shift two of the guns to the windward side of the ship, we had her doing fourteen knots! We darted away from them in quite a hurry.” Chib said emphatically. “But my dear, we are a pirate crew. Freeing slaves doesn’t put coin in pockets. To the contrary actually, we’ve captured two slaver ships including the Shepherd and both times the size of the crew grows with very little income for it. It is a problem James is going to have to confront and soon I fear.”
“Do the slaver ships carry no gold Chib?” Lilith asked a puzzled look on her face.
“Well, yes dearie. They do. Though most often it amounts to very little. James has a fancy that one of the slavers ought to be carrying a massive haul of profit back to Europe.” Chibs replied puffing away at his pipe and looking out toward the sail they pursued.
“I see. What do you think Chibs? Do you believe there is some ship with a hold full of riches destined for port in Europe?” Lilith asked.
“Well. It’s hard to say dear. James keeps saying someone has to profit and that’s true enough. The ships belong to someone, none that we’ve taken so far have been owned by their captains. But if the slavers are taking profits back to Europe, they’d be sailing in a convoy, heavily armed no doubt.” Chibs answered. Neither he nor Lilith had seen James approach, though he had only heard Chibs’ last reply.
“They will be guarding her. Heavily, I’m sure. But I will have her, I will take everything from them. Just as they did to me,” said James, drawing a look from both Lilith and Chibs. “But even if I’m wrong, suppose we sail for another year we could capture two, maybe even three more. Freedom for those souls is enough reward in my heart.”
“Aye Captain, but the crew can’t follow the reward of your heart forever.”
