Noble Duty

5. Decisions

Sunday, 12th June, 1718
Eastward of Cape Hatterask

The glow of dawn through the stern windows lit our quarters when I awoke to the hollow resonance of the voice pipe. I replied, "Captain."

"Good morrow, sir. Approaching four bells. The star put us at thirty-five, eleven, twenty – about two miles south of Cape Hatterask's latitude. Clear sky, fair winds, the cape occasionally breaking the horizon from aloft. The sails remain in our stern."

"What distance now?"

"The hull is almost fully up, sir. Masts still merged as one."

"A gain since dusk."

"Aye, sir. I estimate two-thirds their mast height, so depending on their size, it could be six to eight miles."

"Ummm. Making close to a knot better than us. Report all changes and new sails."

"Aye, sir. Changes and sails."

After the dull thud of the tampion being inserted, Gillian asked, "What if it is pirates?"

"Good morning, gorgeous." I adjusted our tangled limbs and pulled her closer, nestling her head against my neck. "Too long a chase for them."

"What if they are patient?"

"More than half a day since we sighted them, and they have about halved the distance. In the early afternoon, they should be close enough to identify."

"And close enough to fire on us."

"A possibility." I nodded toward the windows. "We have a bright, clear day to watch them as they close on us. But now that we are beyond the cape, they may alter for Chesapeake."

"Hunh? Just a peek at what?"

I roared a laugh, and when calmed, I said, "Chesapeake is a long inlet reaching far into the Virginia colony, giving access to the produce of the tobacco plantations."

She giggled. "Oh! Strange name. Must be from the indigenous people."

"Aye, it sounds as if it is. Many ships sailing past here are bound there, bringing for trade either manufactured goods from England or slaves from Africa."

Gillian winced against my neck. "What a horrid fate. Father worked long and hard for its abolition."

"Aye, our trade had been mainly sugar, rum and tobacco, but with the convicts and the indentured insufficient to work the plantations, the African slave trade fast grew. To stop supporting it, Father changed to importing mahogany. But now, I find slaves are used to harvest and hew that, as well."

She nodded. "As now is most produce from the colonies. With so many lacking meaningful work in Britain, Father proposed an import tax to pay their voyage to the colonies. Rather than binding them to years of servitude, wages would cost the plantation owners less than buying slaves or indentures."

"A fine solution. Ease Britain's rural poverty, provide willing workers a reward for their labour, reduce the plantation owners' costs, and bring an end to indenturing and slavery."

"Indeed, but the problem was with the Crown and many of the Lords having invested in the Royal African Company."

"But the Company's monopoly has ended."

"Partially. It still receives fees for all slaves transported by other British ships, and the shareholders gain from this."

I sighed. "Personal interest subverting the common good."

"Ummm. Father's bugbear."

We remained silent for a while, snuggling closer before she rose from atop me, brushing her breasts back and forth across my chest. "I must visit the privy first."