When we finally returned to Pendleton's house along the river a few days later, Pendleton met us at the door of his home - the girls were in a nearby one-room house that had a fireplace and small kitchen with a wood stove.
"Hello boys. Sorry, I have bad news. The Helena's owners aren't having it - they won't go along with any scheme to do any blockade-running. They said I'd already lost one of their ship's cargoes - I didn't tell them about the darkies yet and think I'll just skidaddle and let them find out on their own some day. Anyway, there's no deal and they're going to sue and go after this property and other properties I have in town. It's a disaster. I'm a'going to get the first boat to Jamaica and plant some roots there."
"Sorry to hear that, Captain Pendleton, 'Jack said. "We'll do all we can to help you to get to where you want to go, won't we Jeremy?" Jack asserted.
"Sure, we'll help you out, captain. Just say the word," I said.
"Thanks lads, but I'l be okay. I feel badly that I've left you in the lurch, but I did feel that they would listen, that they could have made huge profits. But no, they're not interested in anything but getting a piece of my hide," said Pendleton.
"Boys, you can stay here and keep the ladies here as long as you want or at least until the constable comes and seizes the property on behalf of the ship's owners. Well boys, I always knew slave trading was a nasty business and I'm glad you taught a good lesson about it to this old fool. I'm privileged to have met you and your women friends too. They be lovely, good-hearted young ladies. What would you be doin' now boys, now that our plans are cooked?"
"We going to war," said Jack, "just as soon as it starts which will be any day now."
"Speak for yourself," I said. "And we're not old enough to be in no war."
"Boys! Boys! Boys! Don't even think about joining up to the army! Jeremy lad here is right. You be too young and you have no idea how horrible this coming war is going to be. Listen to me! It would be a painful lesson for both of you. Stay here and take care of the ladies and then live with your parents if the property is taken away from me. Don't be foolish, Jack! Pendleton said.
"Don't worry Captain Pendelton there sir, we're going to give it a lot of thought before we make such a big decision. Don't you worry now Captain," said Jack.
"Ye not be a'pulling the wool over me eyes like you did when you signed to my ship here in Charleston six months back and a'tellin' me you were 16 years old when you were barely 14, now would you be there Captain Jack?
"Sir, as sure as I'm a'standin', I would not be a'doin' any such thing. And I'm a man of my word, that right Jeremy.
"Oh yeah, sure Jack. Whatever you say," I said.
"Don't sound to me like your pal trusts ya any more than I do," Pendleton said. Jeremy, talk some sense into this young fool."
"Ain't nobody can talk sense to him when he gets an idea in his head. Ain't nobody!"
"
YOU ARE READING
Jack: Book 3 in the Trilogy
Aventura"A rollicking adventure!" The trilogy is now complete. I plan to publish Jack: Book 3, by August 1, 2017 as well as a separate volume with all three parts. Until then enjoy Books 1-3 here on Wattpad. I completed the trilogy on May 30, 2017. The c...
