1633:The Danish Scheme (14 page)

Over the next hour, Svend tried to stay out of the sailors' way as the ships approached the harbor. The tide was full off Point of Ness. The wind off the port quarter required a number of tacks for the ships to reach the harbor entrance. As they approached the anchorage, Svend climbed onto the mainstays with the telescope and eagerly searched the people on the 
Hamburg
 's deck for a familiar figure. Disappointment and worry started to set in until he spotted Sir Thomas coming on deck, with Agnes right behind him. Shortly afterward, Svend was forced to come down to make way for the sailors to furl the sails. By the time the ship's anchor was dropped, he had finally caught Agnes' attention and she had waved back.

"Master McDermott, do you feel up to a long session of note taking?" John Barrow had walked up unnoticed behind Svend, who was still watching the 
Hamburg
 intently. "The captain needs his clerk to take notes when he meets the other captains."

"I can be ready in two minutes, Mr. Barrow. Just let me get my paper, quill and ink." Svend carefully closed the telescope, handed it to John, and then disappeared down the hatch to his cabin.

John walked back to the captain, who stood watching the other ships prepare to send boats away. "He's got it bad, Captain, and I don't think he even realizes it."

"I know, John. Were we ever that young?"

"I don't know, but I think Mistress Roe will be good for him. I just hope nothing happens to them." The creak of tackle drew their attention. "The longboat's ready, Captain. Should I send it away with the men? It's going to be a long pull for the seamen to reach all three ships."

"Yes, but have them use the starboard side. Keep the port side free for the arriving boats."

"Aye aye, sir." John left to supervise the small boat handlers. The departing settlers were already bunched up, waiting on deck with their meager belongings in bundles.

* * *

The 
Henriette Marie
, the 
Hamburg
, and the 
Wilhelm
 had arrived in Stromness two days earlier. Their captains, along with Sir Thomas and Captain Andersen, arrived over the next hour and gathered in Luke's cabin. They traded stories on their departures from Copenhagen and their passage to the Orkneys. They all had a good laugh when Karl described his wife’s reaction to his arriving home drunk. Only John’s emphatic protests that it was in a good cause saved him from getting his ears boxed. The only incident of note was that Captain Rheinwald had discovered cracks in the 
Hamburg
 's lower mizzen and bonaventure masts. Captain James politely inquired if they were serious. Rheinwald snapped back, “I'll be having my carpenters finish repairs soon." The looks of concern from the group caused Captain Rheinwald to get even more defensive. "She's in just as good a shape as any ship here. As I said, Mr. Braun should have the boards fished on by the time this meeting's over." His emphatic nod cut off further comments.

Sir Thomas broke the awkward silence. "I've passed the word around the port that we're looking to take on extra livestock and have space for additional settlers. Three families have already spoken to me about joining. They're all sheep farmers and would bring their flocks. There was a dispute in the clan over an inheritance and they want to leave soon. They'll be ready before we finish wooding and watering and loading extra fodder. I've also added two pair of the island's horses. They're used to the colder conditions we'll be facing."

He reached down and took a document from a sealed pouch. “I have an announcement that I was directed to keep secret until we arrived. The Shetland and Orkney Islands have been returned to Denmark by England. We have been directed by King Christian to establish a Governor’s Office that will be run by the Company. Our resupply ships will bring out the new Governor. We will be using these islands on a regular basis for our trading with the new colony. I will need to find a site for a warehouse and residence for whoever comes with the next group. We will need to stay a few extra days until these needs are met. Captain Andersen, I’ll need you to help me locate a suitable building to set up our offices and see to its protection.” He sat down and surveyed the stunned faces of the captains. 
Evidently the treaty had stayed a secret!
 

Karl was not surprised by the announcement. Sir Thomas had spoken with him about this the previous night and he’d already spotted a site that looked promising. “I shouldn’t think that will delay our departure.”

Luke finally arose, "Excellent, Thomas! That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time. From past stops, I’m sure the islanders will relish the news. They’ve never been supporters of England. I can suggest two or three men that might make excellent factors here.” Sir Thomas gave a curt nod as Luke continued. “The only other point I think needs addressing concerns sailing instructions now that we’re all back together. Specifically, what happens if any ships are separated during our next leg of the voyage?"

The captain of the fishing boat 
Bridget
 spoke up, "Lars and I already thought about this. Since we're going to be fishing anyways, we plan to save time and head directly to the fishing grounds and then to the settlement site. That way, you'll have fresh provisions soon after landing."

Luke paused to consider the idea. "That's an excellent suggestion.” He glanced around, but no one spoke up, so he continued. “During a storm, if you are in distress, fire a signal gun. The nearest ship should try and render aid. Otherwise, if anyone just becomes separated, head directly to Bell Island."

Luke pointed to Svend. "Once a week Mister McDermott will visit all the ships to retrieve updates for the master log I'm keeping, and any routine issues you feel need to be brought to my attention. Status on food and water, and ship's conditions will be included in these reports." He refrained from glowering in Rheinwald's direction. "Again, if something urgent occurs, use your signal flags or fire a gun and we will come to your assistance. As Sir Thomas said, we'll sail once we finish replenishing our food and water and load the extra settlers and livestock.” He looked around once more for questions but everyone seemed anxious to stretch their legs ashore. “That's all for now, gentlemen. If you can, let your crews stretch their legs on shore. This will be their last chance for quite some time."

As the group rose to leave, Luke drew two of the captains aside, "Thomas, Martin, would you stay a few minutes? I've some additional things I need to discuss with you." He motioned to the two cushioned seats. "I'll be right back." Luke saw the rest of the captains to their boats and then returned to his cabin.

As he reentered, Captain James asked, "Is there something wrong?"

"No, no. The two of you have some unique skills that may help our long term success. Thomas, the native that's with your crew, would he work with Svend to teach him the Cree language?"

"I'm sure of it. Svend showed Joseph around Copenhagen before we left and has already picked up a few Cree words. They seemed to get along well. They're not that far apart in age and Joseph is very quick."

"Good. Now Martin. One of the settlers on your ship was a mathematics teacher, has training as a surveyor, and has the necessary surveying tools. He started to train Svend shortly after he arrived in Copenhagen, but that was halted when the food problems arose. I'd like that training to resume.”

“ What I propose is that Svend alternate afternoons on your ships, working with his tutors. I know that will mean extra small boat work, but it will also give us an opportunity to communicate more frequently."

Martin chuckled. "I just hope he isn't too prone to seasickness. All those trips in an open boat could be trying."

"I'll give him Sundays off to recover! I'm sure he'll be glad to visit your ship so often. I think he's taken quite a liking to Sir Thomas' young ward."

"I wondered. She always seems to take a keen interest in where your ship is when she's on deck."

"Just make sure he applies himself to his studies when he's there. If he wants to talk to the young lady afterwards, it's all right, as long as Sir Thomas agrees."

* * *

The expedition remained at anchor three more days. The new territory’s Government Office was set up in some empty rooms of a wool warehouse near the docks. Karl had two of his soldiers whitewash the walls inside to brighten the rooms. The owner was delighted to rent the unused space. A small loft over the space would provide an office for the new ‘Acting Governor’, who was, coincidentally, the wool merchant. Luke and Sir Thomas had a good laugh when Karl related the man’s reaction when the news of the reversion of ownership to Denmark was mentioned. He’d dropped to his knees thanking the Lord for deliverance from the English tax collectors. Sir Thomas just managed to get out between laughs, “I hope he realizes we’ll be collecting taxes too! Though knowing English tax collectors too well, I don’t doubt we will be an improvement.”

The additions to the expedition were uneventful. The sheep were purchased and penned up outside of town. The additional families packed and loaded their belongings aboard the 
Köbenhavn
 . On the last day, Svend took the opportunity to go ashore with Agnes and Joseph. The afternoon was blustery. As they left the boat that had rowed them ashore and climbed the slime coated steps to the pier, one of the sailors called out, "Mr. Barrow said to remind you, sir, we sail this evening with the tide. He said we were to wait here and fetch you if you wandered too far."

Svend laughed. "I don't think we have any worries there, Kurt. The whole village is only two or three blocks long. We'll be back in plenty of time." The boat crew finished tying up and stretched out for a nap in the sun.

At the end of the pier, Svend stopped, "Now remember, Joseph, I want you to use only Cree while we're in town. I'll try to translate for Agnes."

"Âha."

Svend turned to Agnes. "That means, yes."

"Shall we get something to eat before we start?" Agnes asked.

Svend translated, "Â.hâw." Joseph nodded and pointed to the inn just off the pier.

Lunch was amusing for the young people as Svend stumbled over his translations. When they finished their meals, the innkeeper asked what was going on. Agnes explained. She pointed to Svend. "He is trying to learn the language of the natives where we are heading and Joseph is teaching him. He has to act as interpreter and translate anything we say, back and forth." She smiled. "He's still learning."

Svend immediately tried to stammer out to Joseph what Agnes said.

Joseph corrected two words and then added, "Ahay k"sposâkow. Tânitowahk wiyâs."

Svend turned to the innkeeper. "He says, 'Thank you for the excellent meal and wants to know what type of meat it was.'"

"Some of our local sheep."

As he tried to translate, Svend was stymied for a word for sheep. He tried a pantomime and then "baaed." He was saved when the sound of bells came through the open rear door of the kitchen. He quickly paid for their meals and called for Joseph and Agnes to follow him. The sheep that the settlers were bringing were being driven to the wharf. Svend pointed to them and said, "sheep." He then asked Joseph, "How do you say 'sheep' in Cree?"

Joseph looked at the wooly beasts, looked at Svend and said deadpan, "sheep."

Svend's jaw dropped. Joseph walked over to get a better look at the first sheep he had ever seen. Agnes was laughing so hard, she was nearly in tears. She gasped for breath and sat down, hard, on a nearby piling. Once she recovered her composure, Svend offered her a hand up. She stood up but slipped on a slime covered board and stumbled into Svend's arms. She murmured something and Svend smiled. Joseph asked for a translation. Svend replied in correct Cree, "None of your business!"

The three walked back up the path by which the sheep had entered the village. After a hundred yards, they were outside the village. Joseph looked around, "Not like Copenhagen, just a bunch of stones." They proceeded to walk around the hills at the outskirts of Stromness and arrived back at the dock an hour later as the last of the sheep were being hoisted on board the 
Kristina
 . The noise from the flock was audible across the harbor.

"I'm glad I'm not on that ark." Agnes nodded toward the 
Kristina
 . "The noise and smell would be enough to make me want to row to Hudson's Bay."

"That's true, but they eat the best of anyone in the expedition." Svend looked wistfully at the ship, remembering the stew they'd had for lunch and the tough salted meat they'd eaten on the way to Stromness. Breaking out of his reverie, he motioned to the boat, "We'd better get back to our ships. The captain will want to sail soon, now that the sheep are loaded.

February 1634,Frederiksborg Castle, Copenhagen
 

Prince Ulrik had never seen his father this angry, and sober to boot! The subjects of the royal rage stood mute before the King.

Word had reached the King that Dagmar Bundgaard had tried to use his family relationship with the Minister of War to feather his pockets at the expense of Sir Thomas’ expedition. In addition, certain irregularities in the sales of supplies to the army for the dike repairs on Nordstrand Island had also been uncovered. All leading back to Bundgaard.

The War Minister, Asmund Poulsen remained mute as the King turned on him. “Asmund, if I had any hint that you were guilty of anything other than misplaced familial loyalty you would be standing in chains with your cousin! I can’t afford to lose your knowledge of how the Ministry runs in the middle of this war and trying to stave off the disaster that will hit the coast in the fall. Neither can I risk any more supply fiascos. You will turn over your supply duties with the army to Prince Frederik, the new research facility to Prince Ulrik, and the fleet to Captain Admiral Overgaard’s adjutant. If I ever find that you are guilty of any other disloyal act, you will join your cousin in prison.”

Ulrik’s jaw dropped with the pronouncement. 
What research facility was his father talking about?
 Before he could ask, the King resumed his tirade.