Zealand

61. The Aftermath

Thursday, 26th May 1667

During the following days, we remained anchored across the wind, ready in case the French and Dutch returned with a larger force. Captain said it was likely because they already have twice as many men-of-war as us, and there is a good chance they have more close at hand. And knowing they are near makes our searching for more prizes too dangerous, particularly since they will have identified us. Besides, we still had nowhere to sell those we took.

He went daily to Coronation to meet with Captain Berry and others, so what little I learnt came from asking questions while we dined. Crews aboard the King's ships worked long and hard at repairing the damage from the attack, and they were increasingly ready.

Mid-morning on Thursday, as I hung towels and table linens on the drying line from the mizzenmast, I was surprised to see him return aboard so soon. On his way past me, he said, "Fetch tae as soon as you finish there, Boy."

"Aye, sir. I will bid Mate now and finish this while I await its preparation."

Later, at the table by the window, while I poured tae, he said, "Captain Berry now departs with his squadron, leaving me in charge here."

"Oh! To where do they sail, sir?"

"Barbados, wanting to ensure it is safe."

"Yes, of course. With only here and there remaining uncaptured, it would be their next target. I was not sufficiently aware to look when we were there – is it as well defended as here?"

"Almost, Boy. It also has the windward advantage and forts guarding the approaches. All it lacks is the offshore shoal to fuddle the unaware."

"But if none of the King's ships are there to defend, what use are those?"

"Indeed, and thus, Captain Berry's haste to return. And though the Governor was to detain all arriving armed merchantmen, with the French and Dutch now combining their efforts, our concern increases."

Monday, 6th June 1667

While we sat talking after dinner a week and more later, Captain's voice funnel sounded, and he rose, hastened to the chart table and responded, "Captain."

"Sir, lookout reports sails."

"Basse Terre again?"

"No, sir. To the south, across the ridge. Too far to see colours."

"I shall be up."

He took a leather pouch from a drawer, and as he strode toward the stairs, he said, "Come, Boy. Let us see what we have."

Up top a short while later, Mister Courtenay said, "Now, more sails rise, sir."

"How many?"

"He said three or four, sir."

Captain held the pouch toward me. "Put this lanyard around your neck, and hie thee aloft to glass the horizon."

Aha! The telescopium. I did as he bade, and when I reached the gallant top, the lookout pointed. "They's there, Boy. By the land's end."

"Thank you." I sat and leant against the mast before taking the instrument from its pouch. Then, with it extended and to my eye, I found the horizon and swung left until the land appeared. Above it rose a line of sails, and seeing the space between them was wide, I called down, "Five ships sailing toward us, sir. Only gallants risen."

"Thank you, Boy. Any colours showing?"

"Aye, sir. But not clear with the haze. Light, though. Not dark like the French and Dutch."

"Thank you, Boy. Report changes."

"Aye, sir. Report more ships and clear colours."

I turned to the lookout and asked his name.

"Stevens. And yours?"

"Charles." I pointed toward the horizon, "With the pale colours, they might be English. Do you know the colours of other nations?"

"Asides Dutch and French, only Spanish. They's near like us, 'cept the red lines from the corners, not top and sides."

"Thank you, Stevens." I lifted the telescopium again, and still seeing hazy, I remembered the twisting. With it focused, I saw topsails beginning to grow, and beyond them, more sails. After a while, when no more had risen, I reexamined the colours of the closest ones and called down, "Now nine ships, sir. Colours either English or Spanish."

"Thank you, Boy. Report changes and when colours identified."

"Aye, sir. Report when confirmed Captain Berry returns."

Captain chuckled. "You learn fast, Boy."

As I returned the telescopium to my eye, Stevens asked, "Why'd you think it's them?"

"He headed to Barbados with eight other ships, and these nine follow the route we sailed to come here."

"But they could be Spanish."

"True, but my understanding is that they are all to the west and south."

"What if they come to help the French and Dutch against us?"

"A possibility. They might be angry because we took Jamaica from them."

"How'd you know all this?"

"From reading and listening."

"Oh! You can read. Can you write too?"

"Yes, I can. And I am teaching some how to do both. You may join us if you wish."

We carried on talking while I watched the approaching ships, their colours fluttering a-port across the wind, making them easier to see. Finally, when the first red cross was clear, I called down, "They fly English colours, sir."

"Thank you, Boy. You may now descend."

"Aye, sir. Descend."

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Mid-afternoon, while the squadron settled to anchor, Captain was pulled toward Coronation. Less than a half-hour later, while I waxed the table, all hands rang, and I rushed to the quarterdeck, surprised to see him there.

When the crew had assembled, he said, "Great news! Captain Berry and his squadron recaptured Antigua and Montserrat."

Loud hoots and whistles erupted, and when it again became quiet, he added. "Word from those in both Antigua and Montserrat is that the Dutch grew angry with the French and sailed north to attack our Virginia colony."

He paused as a hubbub grew, and when again quiet, he continued, "Captain Berry then went looking for the French, sighting twenty and more of them at anchor in Martinique. With it unwise to attack, he continued southward to Barbados to find a squadron of nine warships and two fireships fresh arrived from England."

Cheers again arose, and he allowed their course before continuing. "While Admiral Harman and his squadron establish a blockade at Martinique and gather information on the French disposition and strength, Captain Berry will do the same with Saint Christopher."

"And us, sir? What will we do?" came a voice from the crew.

"Captain Berry found a demand for our prizes in Barbados, and we will begin towing them there."