A bastard by birth and orphaned at twelve, Charles has learnt to fend for himself in 1660s London. Homeless, he seeks shelter for the night in some canvas aboard a barge on the Thames. In the morning, he tumbles awake when the sail is hoisted, and t...
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Captain opened the third drawer and leafed through the charts, selected one and placed it atop the chart table. Then tapping a finger on it, he said, "We are here in Barbados, and you will find all the mentioned names among this group of small islands." He ran his finger up and down from Barbados, then across the land to the south. "And along this coast."
"Oh, so many of them. No wonder all the names." I looked for a while, then I asked, "And where is Kay Anne, where we will find the prizes?"
"Over here, Boy. It sits near the eastern end of the coast of Guaina."
"How far is that, sir?"
He took the dividers and measured. "It depends on the winds. Three to four days if it is all across them, four to five if we must beat into them part of the way to gain eastings." [1]
I nodded. "And where is Fort Will Be, sir?"
He tapped the chart. "Here in Suriname. About a day and a half downwind from Cayenne."
"And after we deliver our prizes, two or three days to beat into the wind to capture more ships."
Captain chuckled. "I enjoy your confidence, Boy. But we may well need to wait for days, even a week or more, to sight a likely target."
"Oh! Where will we wait?"
"We will sail back and forth across the approach route to Cayenne with the land just raised above the horizon from aloft."
I nodded. "So they will not see us from ashore."
"Aye, Boy. There are squadrons of French and Dutch ships there to protect the colony, and we do not want them to suspect our intentions." He pointed toward the pantry. "After you have cleaned from our tae and finished your other chores, you may examine the charts."
"Thank you, sir." I paused and nodded toward the pantry. "There remain two scones. May I have one of them?"
He chuckled. "And what of the other one?"
"I thought you might want it, sir."
He patted his belly. "I had my fill. You may have both."
Saturday, 26th March 1667
A while past seven bells of the forenoon on Saturday, I stood on the quarterdeck watching the crew load the last of the hogsheads, crates and bundles from a lighter. [2] As our longboat was being hoisted aboard, I sighted another approaching from one of the King's ships. Likely bringing Captain back. A short meeting. Not long enough for him to have dined over there - too early, anyway.
When the boat pulled closer, I recognised him and Captain Gilbert. Will he come aboard, as well? Remain to dine? No need to pother. I will know in ample time to inform the cookery.
I scurried across the deck to the starboard rail to watch the crew receive the boat alongside. Then, as I waited to see how the lines would be passed, Captain rose, grabbed the boarding ladder and climbed while the boat crew shoved off and continued on their way.
