The Pyrate Page 8

  The hands had put forth an effort to have the ship set to right and made ready for sailing. The holds were filled with casks of fresh water, barrels of salt pork and beef, barrels of rum, a few cases of wine, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco and cheap cigars. Bags of ship’s biscuits, chests of extra clothing, shot and powder replenished, several new muskets and pistols, a few boarding pikes, a barrel stuffed full of usable cutlasses, new ropes, tackles, and an extra set of sails were also put in the holds. Anything else they would procure from prizes taken.

  Worn out from loading supplies and his arm still aching from where LaRoche had wounded him, Cooper sat down to rest with his mates. Quang fetched a tankard of rum for the group.

  “Damn if this ain’t a shitten job,” Cooper swore.

  Mac laughed and replied, “It’s nothing compared to what a Royal Navy ship brings aboard when they are ready to set sail. The officers don’t do much other than supervise. Of course, we have to be more self-sufficient and we are out much longer. Captain Taylor must not be planning on a long voyage as there’s no livestock or chickens on board, and only a few fresh fruits and vegetables.”

  Quang volunteered, “These men not much on vegetables or fruits. They want mostly meat, potatoes, and rum with a liberal helping of women and gambling.”

  “Humph! I thought I was a wastrel and a rogue,” Cooper snorted. “I doubt one in ten could rub two schillings together after a month on shore even if his life depended on it.”

  “Forget schillings, you are not in England now,” Quang said, and then added, “but it’s been one damn good time they’ve had. It’s the life they’ve chosen.”

  A rumble of thunder was heard and the men rushed below decks to their mess. Of the three, only Quang was used to living in such close quarters. In truth, because of his experience Mac could have joined the likes of Spurlock, Diamond, and Turner in a four-man cubicle below the captain’s cabin. That group ate in what Mac thought of as the gunroom.

  The mess had four thick deck prisms that lit the space up fairly well. The headroom between the thick beams allowed a man to sit but not stand. Cooper had butted the beams enough to finally learn to stoop. The below deck odors were better now that the ship had been in port for a while. However, when Cooper was first showed the hammock where he’d sleep, he had almost vomited on his chest. The smell of the bilges was bad enough, but the added smell of unwashed bodies and sour clothing had almost been more than he could bear.

  Cooper, and as far as he could tell, Mac, were used to regular baths. Some he knew subscribed to the myth it was unhealthy to bathe too often. He was not one of those men and had been chided for dumping cold sea water over his naked body, soaping up and rinsing off. Hopefully, he could persuade a few more to take up the practice. Quang, as with most orientals, was a very clean person.

  ***

  The next day the early morning looked like someone had painted a reddish swath over the sky, across the bay and Grand Isle. After a breakfast of strong black coffee and biscuits, the order to set sail came down. On deck, Captain Taylor called Mac over and surprised him with his formal speech, “Would you care to get the ship underway, Mr. MacArthur?”

  “Aye, Captain,” Mac responded, easily slipping back into his naval ways.

  “The anchor is hove short,” Quartermaster Turner volunteered.

  “Thank you, Mr. Turner. Hands aloft, loose topsails; stand by to hoist foresails.”

  Cooper had spent hours reading his books and had learned the basics of each evolution. Yet, he knew himself to be a lubberly sort compared to the way the true seamen streamed about, up the shrouds and ratlines for the mizzen top. Men stood by the braces to angle the sails so as to catch the wind.

  “Stand aside, Mr. Cain.” This was from the captain, who sensed Cooper’s hurt. He then added, “There’s a time to watch and learn and then there’s a time to do. Now’s your time to learn, so watch and learn well, young sir.”

  The topsail was soon set. The ship moved but seemed to be moving sideways. Neither Mac nor the captain seemed alarmed. Taylor stood still and very stoic and Mac barked out more orders. The clank, clank, clank forward could be heard as the anchor was raised. Forward, the stay sails and jibs were set. Now the ship seemed to pay off and gain headway.

  “Course, Captain?” Mac asked.

  “Make steerage for the mouth of the harbor, Mr. MacArthur.”

  “Aye, Captain. On the mizzen, aloft, set the spanker.”

  Cooper watched at how quickly the evolution was carried out and he gained a new respect for Raven’s crew, and for David MacArthur. I’ll be a seaman before long, he swore to himself. The mass confusion he’d witnessed was in actuality a display of professionals.

  “Mr. Cain, do you wish to go forward and watch the anchor being catted home?” Captain Taylor asked.

  “Do I wish, indeed,” Cooper said.

  “What he means is get your arse forward and watch real seamen so that you might prove to be more than a passenger at some point,” Mac replied.

  ***

  The Raven was sailing along easterly, with Barataria having long been lost from the stern. It was a cool evening and the Gulf of Mexico was content to produce no more than a rolling sea of gentle swells. It was a peaceful dusk; men were enjoying a tankard and a smoke. Rooster found Cooper, Mac, and Quang sitting with a group of older seamen. Cooper was listening intently as sea stories were being told, each more lewd and bizarre than the previous.

  “Captain wants you,” Rooster said, motioning to the three.

  Reporting to the captain was the same regardless of Royal Navy, merchantman, or free ship. You always wondered why you were sent for. Entering the cabin, Taylor nodded to Rooster, who poured each a glass of rum. As the men sat down in straight-back chairs in front of the captain’s desk, he produced a leather binder. “Here are the Articles of the Free Ship Raven. After reading them, you must decide to sign on or be put ashore.”

  “Quang sign.” With that he had the captain write his name – Quang. The Chinaman then pulled his knife out and stuck the tip of the blade on his thumb so that a spot of blood appeared. He then pressed it down next to where his name had been written. “There Quang chop,” he said.

  “Means his signature,” Taylor volunteered. “See the print of his thumb? The Chinese swear everyone has a different print or as Quang said, his chop. Means just as much as a signature to him.”

  Nodding he understood but really not comprehending a bit of it, Cooper said, “I’ll sign.”

  “Read the articles first,” Taylor advised. “You need to know what the articles say. It’s how you will be governed. You need to know what your rights are, what’s against the rules, what punishments are, what your share of prize money will be. It’s all in there. Mac, you will be rated as a first mate.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” Mac said.

  “You proved yourself at every turn,” Taylor responded.

  “What about me?” Cooper asked.

  Taylor smiled, “You are rated as other. That means you are lower than whale shat. But you have promise so I don’t think you will be there long. Now, read the articles and sign or I’ll put you off my ship.”

  “Fine time to tell us that with no land in sight,” Cooper whined in mock despair.

  “Read the damn articles,” Taylor replied with a grin.

  These are our articles, we swear by them to the last man

  I. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs and movement of the ship’s company. He shall have equal share and title to all the provisions and liquors unless a scarcity makes it necessary to ration these items for the common good of the ship’s company.

  II. Every man shall be called upon fairly and in turn for the safe sailing, operation, and up keep of the ship. The quartermaster shall draw up a watch, quarters, and station bill. Each man will be fairly called upon to go aboard any prizes and act as prize crew.

  III. If any man is found “guilty of cowardice” in time of engagement, he shall suffer dea
th by hanging. If any man shall offer to run away, shirk his duties, or keep secret from the “ship’s company” he shall be put to death or marooned. If any man shall steal from any man of the “ship’s company” he shall be put to death or marooned. If the thief is marooned he shall further suffer his nose and ears to be split.

  IV. None shall game for money, rat catching, dice, or cards.

  V. No man shall strike another on board ship. But every man’s quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in a civil manner, should a man commit or attempt to commit murder the punishment is immediate death.

  VI. No boy or woman shall be allowed to be a member of the “ship’s company.” No woman shall be brought on board the ship for the purpose of sex.

  VII. Every man shall keep his arms clean and fit for engagement. Failure or neglect will result in punishment as the captain or the “ship’s company” shall think fit.

  VIII. No man shall Snap his Arms, or Smoke Tobacco in the Hold or carry his Pipe without Lid or carry a Candle lighted without Lanthorn. Punishment will be as in the former article.

  IX. If any Gold, Silver, or Jewels be found on board any Prize, the Finder must deliver it to the quartermaster immediately. Failure will result in the same punishment as in Article III.

  X. If at any time a prudent woman is brought aboard the ship, no man shall meddle with her. The penalty is death.

  XI. All plunder and prizes including collected ransoms shall be divided as soon as feasible with the profits shared as set forth in the table attached to these articles. The cost of keeping the ship fit, found and capable of engagement at sea shall be first deducted from the gross sum of prize money. This includes but is not limited to the arming and fitting out of the ship. When possible all materials necessary for the operation of the ship will be taken from captured prizes. Compensation for death and disability shall be listed on the same table as shares.

  XII. If the “ship’s company” includes a first officer for the purpose of navigation, he will be awarded the same shares as the quartermaster. The sum to be deducted from the gross sum of prize money to be placed in the ship’s fund.

  XIII. If a doctor is part of the “ship’s company” he is to receive from theship’s funds the expense of the chest of medicine. The doctor shall receive for himself the same shares as the quartermaster.

  XIV. Any person who first spies or provides information, where a prize is taken and proves to be worth one hundred dollars a share, that man shall be given an extra fifty dollars.

  Punishments:

  Marooning – Any man who is to be marooned has the option of being keel-hauled for a period of not less than three minutes time. If the person decides to be marooned he shall be set ashore with one bottle of water, one small flask of powder, one small firearm, and a few shot.

  Death – If a man is to be put to death, he shall be hanged from the mainmast yard arm at sunrise the day following his trial. He may also choose to be shot or cast over the side shackled to a ball and chain.

  Table One

  Shares

  Captain 15 shares

  Quartermaster, doctor, first officer 10 shares

  Boatswain 5 shares

  Gunner 5 shares

  Carpenter 5 shares

  Sail maker 5 shares

  Ship’s purser 5 shares

  Armourer 5 shares

  Able seaman, 2 years experience 2 shares

  Ordinary seaman, some experience 1.5 shares

  Ship’s cook, captain’s steward 1.5 shares

  Others 1 share

  Death and Disability

  Death: If a man dies, his share goes to his wife or children. If he has neither, it is divided among the gross shares.

  Disability:

  Loss of an eye or joint Fifty dollars

  Loss of an arm or leg Three hundred dollars

  Loss of both eyes, loss of either

  both arms, both legs, or an arm and a leg Five hundred dollars

  The loss of use due to severe injury is the same as a loss.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  While it was not officially announced, everyone seemed to know the crew had three new members. Articles were signed, and they were bound together to face what came their way. Diamond spent much of each day teaching Cooper the names of each sail and mast. He discussed the running riggings, explained how yards could be maneuvered to catch the wind for optimal sailing. Diamond also explained how the yards were raised and lowered, each block and tackle, and also the purpose of the shrouds, the main chains, and the anchors. Cooper had purchased a small notebook in which he took many notes and made several sketches. At night, he’d look over his notes and review them and read his Falconer’s. Diamond had told him to put the Young Sea Officers sheet anchor away for now. “That’s for later,” he said. “The best topman or seaman I got couldn’t tell you cat shit about that book but they know how to handle this ship in calm or a blow. Learn the ship first and then we’ll look toward the quarterdeck.” Good advice, Cooper thought.

  He’d gotten confident enough that he scampered aloft with the sail handler when Captain Taylor wanted the sails trimmed, taken in, or to make more sail. A tattooed, toothless, wizened topman always seemed to be around Cooper when they went aloft. “Remember lad, one hand for the ship and one hand for thyself.” The topman was called Banty by the crew. The nickname having to do with his resemblance to a smallish, fighting fowl called a banty rooster. Cooper had never seen one but planned on having one pointed out to him when they went back to Grand Terre.

  One day when the wind was a bit brisk, Banty took Cooper aloft, higher than Cooper had ever ventured. Normally, the heights didn’t bother Cooper but with the wind tugging at his shirt and pushing at his face he felt queasy as they climbed. God, I hope I don’t fall, or worse shat my britches, he thought. Up they went until they reached the topgallant yard. Giving a heave Banty grabbed a small yard and pulled himself up on the cap of the mainmast. He grinned his toothless grin and danced a little jig.

  Horrified, Cooper knew the wind would sweep the idiot into the sea at any second or else he’d make a splat on the deck. “Damme, man, but have you been into the rum?” Was he in his cups? How would he get the lunatic down, Cooper wondered. A voice from below made Cooper look down. One glance and he grabbed hold of a line, he suddenly felt dizzy.

  “Banty,” Taylor yelled through a speaking trumpet. “You daft bugger, get your arse on deck instantly or by all that’s holy I’ll shoot you myself. Get my long rifle, Mr. Spurlock.”

  Grinning like an ape, Banty grabbed the small cross yard and did a handstand and then came down by Cooper. “Skylarkings over,” Banty said. They climbed down to the top platform and grabbed a backstay and slid to the deck, Banty much faster than Cooper.

  On deck, Quartermaster Turner grabbed Banty by the ear and led him forward for a tongue lashing. “If he was aboard a man o’ war, he’d taste the cat for that trick,” Mac snorted.

  Taylor eyed Mac but didn’t respond. Instead he placed a hand on Cooper’s shoulder and handed him his handkerchief. Cooper’s face was drenched in sweat and his hand burned. “Now, you know what not to do,” Taylor said. “In truth, Banty has taken a shine to you and felt he was showing you a joy. Just don’t let someone cause you to lose your sense of good judgment.”

  Cooper continued his on the job training. He soon got to the point he shunned the lubbers hole when making his way to the top platform. He spent time with the carpenter, the sailmaker, as well as the gunner. Every noon he took sightings with David MacArthur. “Bless me, Cooper, but you’re now at least on the right continent.” Cooper’s first undertaking had them in the Black Sea. Having a very elementary knowledge of math, the noon sightings were the hardest to understand. His friend spent at least an hour after the evening meal going over problems.

  “Hell’s half acre,” Mac swore one evening. “Damme, Cooper, but you got one right.” After that things seem to come a little easier until all his problems were correct. His noon si
ghtings were closer and closer and soon matched Mac’s.

  ***

  The dawn was breaking. You no longer needed the candles in the wheel binnacle to see. You could recognize people’s faces as individuals instead of just shapes and shadows.

  “It will be a warmish day I fear,” Turner said. No one disputed him.

  Aloft, a lookout yawned, stretched, and took his glass to scan the horizon. He swept past an area, and then quickly backtracked and focused his glass. Excited, he called down, “Sail ho.” This was the first sail sighted since putting to sea.

  Captain Taylor ordered Raven to be put about. It was nine o’clock by the time they drew within a mile or so astern of the chase. “She’s British, a three masted freighter,” the lookout called down.

  The distance between the ships was closing fast. Everyone that had a telescope seemed to be focused in on the ship. “She’s a merchantman,” Taylor said, “low in the water so she’s heavily loaded.”

  “Fourteen guns, seven a side,” Spurlock advised.

  “I don’t like it, a ship that big, heavily laden and no escort,” Taylor said. Taking his speaking trumpet, Taylor called up to the lookout, “Do you see another set of sails?”

  “Nary a one,” came the quick reply.

  “Look about damn you, look about.”

  It was a full minute before the lookout called down again, “Horizon is clear all about.”

  “Very well,” Taylor said half to himself. The ship was now a mile away. “Mr. Spurlock, I want all but the forward gun loaded with ball and grape. Load the swivels in the tops with grape. Something just doesn’t set right with this fish.”