True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery (25 page)

A boat was dropped over the side filled with a party of soldiers armed with long guns and pistols.

The night watch officer ran to the first officer’s tent. “Sir, a party of sailors are on their way to the beach.”

Randall ran his hands over the stubble on his cheeks. “Gather a party to greet them on the beach. Wait while I get the captain. Assemble the men, have them each pack a bag. We will be boarding the Devonshire for the trip home shortly. Get the cooks to ready their supplies to stock both ships.”

“Jonah?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for your service to his Majesty.”

“We are not finished yet, sir.”

“Yes, not yet, but under the circumstances...”

The sailor nodded and left.

***

Randall knocked on the wood support outside the captain’s quarters.

“Come in,” Bennett called as he sat up in bed and reached for his coat. Mary got out of bed all ready, wearing her day robe.

“A landing party is on its way to the shore.”

Mary went to little Ben’s bed. She leaned over kissed his head inhaling his scent, then shook him gently. “Ben, it is time to go with Randall to visit your grandparents.”

Ben sat up and rubbed at his eyes. “I do not want to leave you and father.”

Mary added, “I know. Pray hard that it is not for long.”

Bennett reached out to hold their son one last time. “I love you Ben. Be a good boy for Uncle Randall and your grandparents. Stay strong.”

Mary smiled at Ben as she took him into her arms. “Mommy loves you so much. We will be back for our boy as soon as we can.”

Randall spoke up trying to lighten the mood, “Ben, it will be an
adventure
! Save up all the tales you have to tell your parents once you meet up again.”

Mary spoke to Randall, “Here is his bag. Inside is a letter to my parents. You will explain?”

“Of course, I want you to know, I
will
be back. I will come and find you both. I will do everything in my power to set you free.”

Bennett reached out and clasped his friend on his free shoulder. “I am proud to have served with you, and to call you friend. Thank you for taking care of our son. I owe you a debt I cannot repay.”

Randall raised his eyebrow, “Do not count me out, I plan on collecting upon this debt.”

They smiled at each other.

“We must be off while they are occupied with you and the Devonshire,” Randall said as he took little Ben’s hand.

Mary turned toward the bed as Randall walked out. She wiped the tears from her eyes. She would have time to cry on the long ocean trip to London. Instead she asked Bennett, “Which dress should I wear, the blue or the green?”

***

Captain Bennett walked down to the beach with a group of the officers and men behind him.

The landing party of sailors from the waiting ship standing at attention watched as they approached. “Captain Bennett Graham?”

“Yes, and to whom am I speaking?”

“I am Captain Daniel Stafford of the HMS Lancashire. I have a warrant for your arrest signed by King George on the charge of piracy, treason, and murder. How say you?”

Captain Graham spoke, “We are innocent. We have not committed piracy, treason, or murder. We came upon a wrecked Spanish galleon. Its crew mutinied. Pirates captured the mutineers and the treasure while it wasted on the shoals of a reef. We dispatched the pirates and secured the treasure to a safe location that I will disclose to the King, once I am in his Majesty’s presence and can obtain the pardons for my men, who have been wrongfully accused by those who would hide their guilt.”

Captain Daniel Stafford nodded. “That may well be. However, I will ask you to order all hands on deck. My first officer, George James, will take command of your vessel. I am sorry, but I must relieve you of your command and ask you to be a guest aboard our ship along with your officers until you are delivered to the court.”

Captain Graham nodded his assent, “My men are under orders to follow your command.”

Captain Stafford nodded once. “Good.”

“One favor.”

“Yes?”

“My wife is on the island. I ask that we may share quarters as ‘guests’ aboard your ship. I fear when we get to London she may have to face life alone under less than ideal circumstances.”

Captain Stafford paused then sighed. “You may share quarters on the voyage as you may be right.”

“Thank you.”

“Gentlemen?”

“One other issue. A pirate ship carrying Portuguese and Spanish sailors entered the cove a month back. We sunk their ship and have them secured. A total of thirty-two men. You will need to make secure accommodations for them as they cannot be trusted.”

Captain Stafford turned to one of his men. “Get the jail ready. We will take the pirate men aboard the Lancashire to face justice back in England.”

“Would you like to see our camp? You are welcome to bring your cooks and stockmen to load up on necessary supplies.”

Captain Stafford nodded his assent as Captain Graham turned and motioned for him to join him on the hike up the mountainside. “The island and the coast nearby keep us in fresh fruits and vegetables year round.”

“Why sir, have you not returned to your post? Why hide out on the island?”

Graham nodded, “We were completing the survey of the coast when we received word that there was a bounty on my and mine men’s heads. This was a surprise. One of the men massacred by the pirates on the Valasperio was a nephew to the King of Spain. Two of the mutinous crew escaped, reported us as the thieves, and being responsible for his nephew’s death. To keep the peace, our King has chosen to support the King of Spain’s decision,” Graham answered.

Captain Stafford nodded. “Politics. Many a good man has lost his head over them.”

“Yes. I intend to plead for the lives of my men when I get my day in court.”

“But the King of Spain will demand blood for the loss of his kin.”

Graham sighed, “Yes.”

“I am sorry this is the hand God has chosen to deal you.”

Graham laughed bitterly, “Yes, I will play it as best I can. Now let me show you the camp.”

***

The camp was busy packing all day to re-board one of the two ships they would be assigned to. The sailors walked around with grim determination. Captain Stafford invited Captain Graham and Mary, and his officers to dinner that evening. Both captains tried to keep the mood light for the sake of their men.

After drinks of brandy and sherry were served, Mary said, “Gentlemen, I will take my leave.” She excused herself to her and Bennett’s new quarters, sensing the men had serious issues to discuss.

Captain Stafford said, “Men, I would like to speak to Captain Graham alone.” He stood, poured himself another drink, then offered the bottle to Captain Graham.

“No, thank you
,” Graham said as he looked at the remaining rusty colored liquor left in his glass.

Captain Stafford sighed. “I feel I must be honest with you as to what my orders are and my assessment of the situation.” He sipped from his drink. “The officers who return with us to England will be condemned for piracy and hung by the neck. The rest of the crew will be sent to the penal colonies off Australia. The King is aware of the letters you have sent explaining the nature of what occurred. While he agrees you are in the right, he cannot afford another war. Between Napoleon and the French, and the trouble between the Greeks and Turkey, the on going issues with the American and Spanish colonies to the north of here, and the constant threat of pirates, he has stretched his military resources as far as they can go. We are building ships at Devonport as fast as possible. The King feels he has no choice at this time but to appease the bloodlust of the King of Spain. The sacrifice of a few officers versus the sacrifice of several ships and their crews in a war, is a much lower price to pay. You can see his logic.”

Graham took a swig of his drink. “May I?” he gestured for the bottle as Captain Stafford nodded his assent and said, “Certainly.”

Graham took a stiff shot, gulped, and poured himself another. “I have come to the same conclusion. I will still plead my case. I owe it to my men and officers. I will have the voyage back to pray for a miracle.”

Captain Stafford nodded his head, “I will pray for mercy too. If I had been assigned to the Devonshire, it might well have been my head on the line instead of yours. I cannot think of one decision you made on your voyage I would have done differently.”

They both sipped their drinks and sat silently.

“Captain Graham, I urge you to demote all your officers, except two, and take as few of them back to England aboard the Lancashire with us. The rest of your crew will be sent to the jail at Middlesex where they will be sentenced and assigned to a ship to be transported to the penal colonies off Australia. I hope returning with two officers besides yourself, and the remaining thirty-two pirates you recently captured, should fill the requirements of our King to satisfy the blood lust from the country of Spain. The good news is pardons have been extended to the for-hire surveyors, scientists, and artists. They are not bound by military law and the King feels they are truly hostages to their circumstances.”

Graham answered, “Good. My wife is among that number.”

Captain Stafford nodded and drank, “Well, this settles the matter for now.”

Captain Graham leaned back in his chair, “Thank you. I will advise my crew as to the matter. I assume we ship out in the morning?”

“If the weather holds,” Captain Stafford answered.

They sat polishing off their drinks. Finally, they both stood.

“Goodnight Captain Graham.”

“Goodnight Captain Stafford.”

***

The next morning Captain Graham called for an assembly of the crew.

“I cannot state enough what an honor it has been to serve beside you. This may be the last time I serve as your captain. The Devonshire and its men are to transfer our crew to the jail in Middlesex where you will be sentenced to serve a term at the penal colonies in Australia. The for-hire surveyors, botanists, scientists, and artists have been pardoned, and will be shipped back to England aboard the Lancashire.” A murmur spread through the crew as what the captain was saying sunk in.

“With any luck, the King will hear my plea for your freedom. If not so lucky, it is my hope I can join you. However, there is a better possibility that I will hang along with my officers. To this end I am demoting all officers to first class seamen. I ask for two brave souls to return with me as officers to meet our fate together. Your sacrifice will surely be noted in heaven.”

“Captain! Captain, I must a’ be a’ one!” The voice of an older man rusty with age broke the silence. He limped forward waving his arms. He made his way to the front through the silent men.

“I have not long to live. I fear suffering more than I fear swinging from the end of a rope.” He rolled up his pant leg, showing a tumor the size of an egg on his calf.

“Seaman Bart Dobbins, at your service.”

Another arm in the crowd quickly shot up. “I will go with the Captain! Ya, must pick me, sir! Me name is Jonah Barwick, and I’s a promised to follow you to the death. I want to see England agin afore I die, and I be mighty proud to die at your side, captain.”

Captain Graham nodded and smiled. “Thank you, officers. It is an honest pleasure to serve with such brave men. Let us get you bathed and shaved, and properly attired. Then we will have a briefing.”

“Thank you, captain.” Both sailors replied acting as if it was truly an honor of the highest magnitude.

***

Randall struck out with Ben in the boat. He stripped off his naval officer’s uniform, dirtied their faces and hands, then put on the woven ponchos and straw hats worn by the natives. He loaded his bag and Ben’s into the boat. He motioned for Ben, who was now wearing the same disguise, to hop into the boat. “Habla Espanol, Bennito. No Englais, Comprende?”

Ben answered, “Si.” They picked up their oars and rowed the hollowed out log canoe toward the shore of the coast. They appeared to be two natives, a father and his young son, back from an early morning fishing trip.

***

Once they pulled the log canoe up on the shore, Ben spoke, “I’ve never meet my grandparents.”

Randall nodded, “I know.”

After they walked a while, angling toward the road that led to the Welch Hacienda, Randall spoke again. “I met them once, at your parent’s wedding. They loved your mother very much.” Ben nodded, keeping his eyes on the road.

Randall spoke again, “You have an uncle barely a year older than you. So you will have someone your age to be friends with.”

Ben nodded again, and ran his sleeve against his eyes, wiping away a stray tear, “I would rather be with my parents. I fear I will never see them again.”

Randall put his arm across the boy’s shoulders. “After I leave you with your grandparents, I
will
make my way back to England. I will do my best to bring your parents home to you.”