Port of Errors (11 page)

The longboats returned to their respective ships and upon the sound of a single gunshot, the struggle commenced.

They both darted toward the ship through ankle-high water, but once the jagged reef tore through the soles of their naked feet they fell to their knees. Now crawling, they each increased their pace, fighting through the pain and bleeding profusely. Reaching the outer point of the reef at the same time, they lunged toward one another, knives at the ready. Falling short, they both slipped to the surface losing both their knives to the sea. They landed just above an old skeleton wedged at the torso in a narrow crack in the reef.

“You’d better get used to him,” said Fischer. “You’re going to be here for a long time.”

Darby reached out and picked up the skull. “Not if I can help it,” he replied, slamming the skull into Fischer’s face. Fischer fell back bleeding at the bridge of his nose.

“You’re a dead man,” shouted Fischer, springing back with a loose femur in hand.

With a quick smack to his jaw, Darby fell back against the reef. Finding the other femur he blocked a second incoming blow. For the next several minutes they fought with the two femurs as though they were swords. But soon they ditched their efforts and rolled over into the sea to race toward the ship. Swimming side-by-side, they continued to force each other apart.

Darby fell short and reached out for Fischer, grabbing him from behind and forcing him beneath the surface of the water. They continued on like this until they could hear the cheers and the jeers from the two ships. They both reached the Rogue at the same time.

There were two long ropes awaiting them at the side of the ship leading to the main deck. As they ascended, Fischer took a wild swing, striking Darby in the face. Darby let go of the rope and fell back down a foot or two. With a second wild swing, Fischer over reached, allowing Darby to catch and twist his arm. With a huge smile Darby threw Fischer to the sea and continued upward.

As Darby placed both feet on the main deck, Fischer was left to Widow’s Reef where he awaited his own death. He was left with a small loaf of bread, a pint of rum and a pistol with a single round. Fischer could only watch as Roger’s Jolly and the Rogue grew smaller in the distance. Soon the ships were merely two insignificant dots on the horizon. Fischer lowered his head, knowing he would be dead before weeks end.

Captain Garrison made for a fine captain aboard Roger’s Jolly. He carried a large cutlass and a rare triple barrel pistol, which few pirates preferred. He maintained the peace and kept good order.

Black-Hearted’s new ship, the Rogue, was doubly reinforced and dressed with thirty-one cannons. Having three large masts, the Rogue could carry about one hundred and ten pirates without losing her speed.

With two separate crews at the ready, Black-Hearted prepared for his next big attack. Mr. Wresfin was forced to lay out all the proceedings of an English run vessel. Within a limited time, he was to make certain each crewmember looked and acted as though they were part of the Royal Navy. If Black-Hearted was to accomplish his design, Mr. Wresfin was expected to do the best job possible.

Spending the next two weeks at sea, Black-Hearted felt they were ready for their plight. Before their assault, Black-Hearted planned one last stopover at Port of Errors. While on Port of Errors, Mr. Wresfin was to talk to no one about their plans or face the same consequence as Captain Blair and Mr. Wresfin knew that dead men tell
no
tales.

Chapter VII

Trouble had been brewing over the last several months concerning Spain’s rumored alliance with France. Word came of a Spanish vessel called
la Real
, a merchant ship, owned by a wealthy Don named Rafael Reina. He had petitioned Queen Anne for the right of passage through her waters, since la Real was bound for France with nothing more than merchandise. The Queen approved the passage for the unknown merchant vessel and no English ship was to prevent its progress.

However, Queen Anne did feel somewhat uneasy about la Real’s destination. An unwelcome alliance between Spain and France was unnerving. There was a lot of tension between Spain and England, but Queen Anne did not wish to cause further tensions.

Captains Stirvin and Flynn were both summoned to the Queen’s Court. They were told to obtain any and all information in regards to this would-be alliance, by any means at their disposal. But, under no circumstances were they to attack or harm la Real.

Captain Stirvin dropped anchor at Port Lorne in pursuit of information linking Spanish plans to form an alliance with France. Knowing Port Lorne was the most recognized location for international trade, he felt it would be easiest there to find the information he needed. Admiral Flynn cruised to Port Lorne to corroborate information with him.

“Gather the men,” Captain Stirvin ordered Tweed. “Make sure they understand clearly that they are to return within four days, by six o’clock precisely.”

As soon as the men were gathered, Tweed addressed them. “You are free to go where you choose. Do as you please, so long as it is within the boundaries of our law! However, you must be back within four days. If you do not arrive four days hence you will be deemed a deserter, a crime punishable by death. You are to report to your commanding officer at precisely six o’clock that evening at which time we will weigh anchor and set sail for our next timely destination.” He looked over the men for a moment and shouted, “Dismissed!” Everyone quickly gathered up their things and departed from the ship. Tweed assigned two watchmen to guard the ship before he went his own way.

Tweed, Mr. Hall, William, and Royal Hawkins from the Crimson Reef, met up with Brent Sherman and Scott Coles, of the Sentry. Their plan was to cruise out to Port of Errors, knowing it was illegal for anyone assigned to an active vessel, such as the Crimson Reef at this time, to leave the town in which his ship was docked. Every sailor on active duty had to be ready at a moment’s notice and easily accessible.

They planned to meet up with a known privateer, Sir Fouste, just outside a nearby brothel along the harbor. Sir Fouste was prepared with a ready ship to ferry them the distance to Port of Errors. But dealings in secret with any privateer whether he was government sponsored or not, were seen as a traitorous act so the risk was great.

Sir Fouste offered them commoners clothing as a means of disguise. “Once aboard my ship, you’ll keep your mouths shut,” Sir Fouste warned, “or you’ll be in a mess of trouble.”

“So, when we meet this Darcy,” asked Scott, “we just provide the information and we’ll be given the gold, no questions asked?”

“Well, Darcy Wenham’s word is as good as his word is ever going to be and that, my friends, is as clear an answer as you are ever going to receive from the likes of such a man as he. Just remember, when you deal in treasonous affairs you deal with liars and thieves. Do you truly expect complete honesty and loyalty from someone willing to buy this information? Do you expect him to trust six mysterious men who are willing to turn on their own country for a little money? He has as much right trusting you as you do him. Just remember to keep a weathered eye upon your backsides. But don’t fret,” he said with a hint of a chuckle. “You have nothin’ to worry about, gents. Nonetheless, if I were in your boots, I would make certain to be on Darcy’s good side. Make the man happy and so shall you be.”

“And how do we find place on his good side?” questioned Royal, “We have never met the man.”

“You’ll want to stop at the marketplace in center of town and purchase yourselves a bottle of rum. Mr. Darcy Wenham is very fond of rum.”

Captain Stirvin, still on Port Lorne, happened upon a couple of past acquaintances, Gabriel Rodrigo and Edgardo Lopez, South American adventurers, dealing in significant information on matters of international affairs. Very confident foreigners, they kept themselves well groomed, in neatly dressed attire. Both were very notably short and stocky, complete with pronounced accents. Although young, they were well versed in current politics of neighboring countries and gossipy tidbits of information.

They were flirting with a few local wenches outside a small tavern when Captain Stirvin found them. Edgardo and Gabriel were humorous to watch around the ladies. They always insisted that they were gifted in matters of love and romance. And although they never tired of trying, they succeeded in neither love nor romance. Gabriel loved tall red-headed women. He was speaking to such a woman, as Captain Stirvin watched in amusement from a short distance unbeknownst to them.

“Yur completely cabbaged. Had a pint too much, have ya? I’m Irish,
eeijet
!”

Staring with lustful eyes, Gabriel pressed, “You have lovely long legs. I’ll have you know that sometimes it is worth it to live down here. The scenery can be quite pleasing.”

All the while Edgardo just stood by rolling his eyes in embarrassment.

“Oh, yur a gas if ever there were. But, I be in need of a real man,” she insisted. “Someone I might understand when he speaks. Someone tall and…” Her eyes suddenly grew wider, looking passed Gabriel “like that there fine piece of man.”

Captain Stirvin walked up to Gabriel and Edgardo from behind, greeting them with a firm hand upon their shoulders. As he pulled them away, Gabriel uttered his last tawdry line. “Till we meet again, my red dove.”

Taking a seat within the old tavern, Captain Stirvin inquired, “Have you any information regarding la Real, a merchant ship sailing past England on its way to France? She belongs to a Spanish Don who goes by the title and name of Rafael Reina. But what business has he with France? What information can you provide?”

“We have no such knowledge,” replied Edgardo, “as of yet. But I can assure you, we can secure information about this man over the next few days, for a good price of course. As you know, our services are not free. This can be dangerous work, mi Capitan.”

“Find the information and I’ll make it worth your while,” agreed Captain Stirvin. “But it better be reliable information or I’ll have you hanging in irons before week’s end.”

After leaving the tavern, Captain Stirvin met up with Admiral Flynn to discuss the probable alliance between Spain and France and how it might actually be an advantage to them.

“What we need to do is gain favor with Spain and create an alliance of our own,” suggested Admiral Flynn.

“That will never happen. You know The Queen already holds such animosity toward Spain and would rather have reason to wage war against them.”

“Yes she would and that is why we must find a way without her knowledge, for her wellbeing and that of the kingdom. Besides, she’ll never have reason to war against Spain. If so, we would quickly lose favor with our allies. The Queen knows this and so we stay in wait amid the unrest, until Spain’s eminent alliance with France. We may well be surrounded by the enemy before year’s end. We’ll not last long. We must take action now.”

“And what do you suggest?” asked Captain Stirvin. “We’ve no standing with Spain. King Philip holds the same animosity for us that Queen Anne does for Spain. Our threat is the very reason King Philip leans toward an alliance with France.”

“Daniel,” said Admiral Flynn in a clam and trusting tone. “What you say is true; however, King Phillip of Spain is young and inexperienced. He relies too heavily upon King Louis, who just happens to be his grandfather, mind you. Phillip already feels inadequate, constantly under Louis’ wing. As King of France, Louis continues to pressure Philip into an alliance, knowing he can use Philip to gain greater power in the Atlantic. But Philip is not yet joined in alliance, he is teetering. Philip might also feel the need to break away from this would-be alliance to make a mark of his own in the world. This we can use to our advantage.”

“Perhaps there
is
a way,” reasoned Captain Stirvin. “As you well know, a Spanish merchant of high standing with King Philip will be sailing through English territory from Denmark within a week’s time. Queen Anne signed the right of passage not two weeks ago. If we can find favor with this merchant, while at the same time, in confidence, suggest Philip’s dependence on France is making him appear weak, perhaps we are taking a small step in the right direction.” And then rethinking his objective, he considered his own integrity. “But Admiral, what of Queen Anne? I cannot keep such a thing from her.”

“Aye, Captain, but you must. She cannot know,” replied Admiral Flynn. “Once we have gained Spain’s trust, she will see the value and she’ll thank you for it. Our actions will prove us innocent and the outcome an advantage. We are doing nothing wrong, Daniel. We have only thought through the possibilities. We have not yet acted on them. But once we figure the proper steps, you will have to choose whether to follow this course without the Queen’s knowledge or let things happen as they may. Though, the latter may place our country in a very compromising position. No, Daniel, we must act and act quickly for Queen and country.”