True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery (17 page)

The officers were silent as they absorbed the shocking message Captain Graham delivered.

“This is preposterous! We are above thievery. Our King above all others should know!” Taussant said as he jumped to his feet and pounded his fist on the table.

“Yes, and we have just defended our land against France, and an uprising with the colonists in America. The King is rebuilding his resources and his navy. If the King of Spain decides we are guilty, will our King go to war for one ship of men?”

The Lieutenants were silent.

“We are pawns in a game of kings. If any of you gentlemen have a solution that may save our souls, speak up.”

The officers were silent.

“You have sent a message to the King?” Randall asked.

“I have.”

“Then pray it is received and understood as the truth so it will be our salvation
,” Lt. Kerry said.

“Then pray. We will have six months to think of other solutions to our problem,” Captain Graham looked out the window towards the city just beyond the docks.

“Shall we tell the crew?” Lt. Sedgwig asked.

Captain Graham shook his head no. “Not until we have left the port and decided upon a temporary home.”

“The cove where the treasure is. It is a defensible location,” Lt. Gregory said.

Toussant added, “There are caves upon the first plateau high above the shore, they would make good shelter from inclement weather.” He looked around at the other officers and said with high spirits, “The pirates are too fat and lazy to leave the shore and climb the mountain. So the caves would be a good staging ground.” Snickering erupted as the officers agreed with Toussant’s assessment.

Lt. Gregory interrupted with, “There were plenty of shark, fish, and turtles for food. And wild chickens and feral pigs.”

“The coconuts are plentiful too. I did see a deer on one of our excursions to scope the island. We would eat well.” Lt. Sedgwig patted his thin but well
-muscled stomach as an affirmation.

Captain Graham nodded. “Then it is settled. We will head back to the cove to await the answer from our King.”

After the officers left to arrange for stocking the ship, Randall stayed behind. “What will you tell Mrs. Graham?”

Bennett looked at the picture she had drawn of him on the deck during the pirate attack, thinking
perhaps I should have sent that picture to the King
.

“I will tell her the truth. I will never lie to her. I have only honor to give to her and my King. Though history may not see it, my God does.”

“Sir, I am sorry for us all. I cannot see how this will end well for any of us.”

“Nor do I. Nor do I
,” Bennett replied as he looked out the window onto the beautiful busy day on the dock where merchants were hawking their wares unaware of the ship full of men who had a bounty on their heads. The full weight of how life had changed for them all, based on the lies of men without honor and blood on their hands, the truth of how fragile anyone’s position really was, affected him as no other news could.

He had to protect his men, it was his duty. To keep them safe from pirates and soldiers, illness, and hunger. He must find them safe harbor, somewhere. They couldn’t stay in the cove forever, and anytime they took to the sea, they wo
uld be in danger from other warships of many countries. Ports would not be safe ports of call either. He needed to change the name of the ship. Perhaps it would buy them time. He needed time to think of the best plan of avoidance. The ship would eventually need re-fittings, which would require metal and wood. Perhaps they could go back and salvage wood and metal from the wrecked Spanish galleon. They could spend their time on the island making tar and pitch, and rope. Repair everything on the ship, and make extras to spare. They would load up with what they could while in port.

One dilemma he hoped to avoid was running into another British vessel. He did not think he could bear to fire on a ship full of innocent Englishmen. If a British ship happened up
on them, and they could not outrun them, surrender would be the only honorable recourse. Of course, it would mean his death. He would be hung until dead.
Poor Mary
. This turn of events was one he could not ever have imagined would happen. Was this his failing as a captain or a man? Was this God’s way of showing him he was not above having to deal with loss? Or was some other plan in the works and all he needed was to show some faith? Yes. Show faith this could work out for good, no matter how bleak the future now looked. He would trust in the source of his strength. He would place his life and those of his crew in the hands of his God. It was all he could do.

***

“What ever is wrong?” Mary walked into the stateroom having watched the constable leave without even stopping to greet her. Then as the officers came back on deck not one smiled or had the easy chatter that was to be expected while in port.

Bennett turned to face her, “Please, sit down.”

“Bennett!”

“I think you should stay with your parents for the year.”

“Bennett! Now I
am
worried.”

I have some business to clear up, and it will be safer for you there.”

“No! I will not leave you! It is out of the question. I am not leaving this ship without you. Please, keep no secrets from me. I must know what is happening. How can I help you if I do not know what is afoot?”

Mary reached out and hugged Bennett with all her strength. “Let me be your helpmate. Please, Bennett, tell me what is so terrible?” She looked into his eyes willing him to tell her.

Bennett glanced into her eyes and saw her agony, “The pirates. Some escaped. To save their lives they reported to the King of Spain that we captured their ship and slaughtered their crew for the treasure. There is a bounty on our heads.”

Mary searched Bennett’s face. “King George has put a bounty for the capture of the ship and the men aboard the Devonshire. Is that why the constable was onboard?”

Bennett sighed and nodded curtly, once.

Mary asked, “You have sent a letter to the King explaining the true situation?”

Bennett nodded again and said softly, “I would like you to stay with your parents.”

“No! I will not. I could not sleep or eat for fear of what may happen to you every moment of the day and night. I cannot leave you.” Mary hugged Bennett even harder. Bennett’s strong arms encircled her as Mary tilted her face up to his. “I love you, Bennett.”

Bennett answered her with a kiss.

***

“Where will we go?” she asked when they paused from their passion.

“The cove. The ship can be hidden. Other ships won’t risk the shallowness or the rocks, especially galleons. There are caves up on the cliffs which are hidden by the thick growth of trees and plants. The plateau makes a perfect shelter and defensible position. We will wait for six months, then send a party back to the docks to see where lies our fate.”

Mary nodded.

“I’d rather you stayed with your parents in the ease of their home.”

Mary shook her head, “If you care at all about what I want, it is to be with you. No matter where we are. I cannot bear to be apart from you. Six months is but a short time. The King
must
see the truth, and pardon you and your men.”

“That is my prayer. But if a Royal Navy ship finds us first, I will not fire on innocent men. I will let them take us, and they will hang me for treason and piracy as the bounty asks.”

A tear dropped from Mary’s eye. “I cannot leave you, no matter the consequences for me or you.”

Bennett gathered Mary tightly into his arms, and let her cry for their future which might never be. There was nothing to do but love each other while they could.

***

The Devonshire rounded the island and sailed into the cove. A waterfall high up the top of the mountain peak was half hidden in the mist from the pounding waters and clouds. A beautiful large blue bird sailed past the ship and continued high into the tree
line. Palms swayed, and mysteriously shaped cedars added an aura of exoticness to the bright green landscape. The beach was the only place not covered by a carpet or forest of green. The cliffs themselves blended into the slope of the land and only those who had traipsed the topography would know they were there. All in all, it was the perfect place to hide and make home. Mary stood next to Bennett on the deck and smiled. “It is beautiful. Like a paradise.”

“We will make the most of it.”

Bennett yelled out the orders to set the anchors as they rounded the bend. The ship would be hidden in the far end of the cove. Mary could see giant turtles swimming past the ship, and even a shark. The cove was a sanctuary for various sea life. If their circumstances were not so dire, she would be thrilled by the sights contained in this lovely place. She put on a brave face for Bennett and smiled. “It is lovely here.”

The first ground crew dropped the skiffs over the side and made for land. They would clear a path then hike up with supplies and make a camp above. Half of the men would have duty on the ship, and half would be above at the camp. The shifts would start twelve hours apart, and change every twenty-four hours.

“Are you ready? If we are under attack I prefer you be on land. The ship is an easier target. Cannons cannot fire as high as the cliffs. It’s an easier position to defend. Toussant will be in charge on the ship rotating command with Lieutenant Gregory and Kerry. They have their orders of what to do in case of attack. First Officer Randall Cullen and Lt. Sedgwig will remain on land.”

“You will stay with me?” Mary smiled.

“Yes, consider it our honeymoon.” I have the men constructing a tent for us behind the cedar tree up on the bluff.” Bennett pointed to the branches giving the cedar tree a windblown look. “It is set back so nothing will be visible from the cove. The fire will be below the waterfall. The smoke should blend with the mist from the pounding of the falls. Our position while fairly open for us, will be hidden from view by the very landscape.”

“What of pirates?” Mary asked.

Bennett shook his head, “This location is far off the shipping lanes. The pirates have towns set up on two other islands with food sources, and women. No reason for them to come out here and have the hardships of starting anew. Out of all the courses we could choose, staying here provides us with unlimited food, and shelter. Mary, I am sorry it is not England.”

“I will see it soon enough. I have confidence in you.”

Bennett lightly squeezed her hand. “We will be taking the next boat over to supervise from the land side, and then we will get settled in our new home.”

Mary smiled, “I will have my paints, and charcoals, and you. There is nothing more I want.”

“Good. Because luxuries will be far and few between.”

“The weather is beautiful. I enjoy being outside. I choose to see this as another adventure. A gift in disguise.” Mary said summoning up the courage to turn her fear into excitement. “Someday we will wonder why we ever wanted to leave.”

And with this statement Mary was more right than she would ever want to be.

***

Mary climbed into the boat before it was lowered, but even with the sailors lowering it as gently as possible, it hit the water with a loud splash, tipping her off the bench and onto the floor of the boat. She picked herself up quickly so only a minimal amount of water soaked into the bottom of her dress. At times like this she dearly wished it appropriate to wear trousers. But to keep the men in good spirits, observing traditions, ladies, in dresses, was necessary. She understood sometimes routine and normalcy in unusual circumstances could keep moral up. And now with the promise of hangings, floggings, or jail on their horizons, routine and normalcy were needed more than ever. She needed to keep full confidence in her husband as the Captain in front of the men.

The hike in her day boots was longer than she would have liked. Several times she had to reach out to have Bennett steady her. The unevenness of the ground was not meant to be traversed in a dress, which she kept hitching up so she could see her feet as she walked, so as not to trip on the hem of her skirt while climbing the incline. It seemed hours later when they finally reached the level plateau. The carpenters had cut a wide path behind the shelter of the fast growing trees and bushes so as to hide their movements and camp from passing eyes on boats as they rounded the island.

The likelihood of any ship passing by was remote. But still a regular watch was set up, and the sailors were attentive knowing their very lives were at stake.

Walking the path led back to an area of caves where various men were making up beds of canvas stuffed with leaves, hammocks which could be secured in the walls with spikes, cots from branches and woven palm leaves, and other living accommodations. On the far side, hidden by the interior of the cove, was a fire pit built on a huge slab of flat rock. It was directly below the thundering falls a hundred feet up the sheer mountainside. The pool above rushed down the far side in a continuous stream down to a watery cove below. The tent that would be their home almost backed up to the end of the drop off along the backside, and the cliff wall on the other side. The front faced the fire area fifty feet away. Far enough to not be near the smoke or the heat from the flames, but near enough to the men in case of an emergency. She could see how Bennett had picked the placement of the tent so it would be the last stronghold if an enemy attacked, the safest part, and most private place in the camp. Out behind, the men had constructed a private privy for her use, again surrounded by a tent, and with an actual seat. They’d sloped the ground in such a way any refuse would slide down the steep side of the mountain, away from discovery, and away from any smell blowing back toward the camp.