Port of Errors (8 page)

“A sloop against a frigate?” asked Mr. Darcy. “Are you completely out of your mind? It’s like David and Goliath, only in this story, David is the fool and cannot possibly win. A frigate is four times the size of your vessel. One broadside and you’re sunk. You along with all of your men will be slaughtered.”

“If you’re going to slay the giant,” added Scurvy, "you’d better have one hell of a sling.”

“My plan calls for enemies fit for a King and I plan on making Spain such an enemy. Don’t underestimate me. I know what I am doing.”

“I can see what you’re attempting to do,” replied Darcy. “But this is not some insignificant little skirmish that you are used to. This is engineering war on a large scale.”

“That is my hope. With Spain will come France and others are sure to follow. Now, if you know what I am planning, you know what I need. But we can’t afford to rush it through.”

“Alright, Hearted, I’ll help where I can. But, be mindful for my sake, if you associate me in any way with your foolish plight, I might as well be dead already. I don’t need to get
too
involved with such affairs! It’s bad for business.”

Scurvy also agreed to be of assistance, informing Black-Hearted that he had looted a small vessel over the past week and would deliver his percentage that night, knowing it would help to finance his risky excursion. Straightway excusing himself, Scurvy departed Mr. Darcy’s residence, leaving Black-Hearted to discuss Mr. Darcy’s role in more depth.

At the conclusion of their meeting, Mr. Darcy nodded his oversized head in agreement. “Now get out of here before I change my mind,” he jested. “I don’t know why I agree to such foolish nonsense. One day you are going to get me killed and I think you know this.”

Years earlier, following the disaster at the De Paul estate, it had come to light through an official investigation that the fire was no accident. It was determined that the cause of the deadly blaze was arson, though there were no witnesses to an untraceable suspect – a ghost. Upon hearing the news, Daniel Stirvin resolved to commit his life to country and law.

Unable to gain an education in his poor circumstance, Daniel decided to enlist in the Royal Navy, where he felt the law was most respected; where he might contribute to his cause by some small means. Assigned to The Northern Star, under the command of Captain Cypress, Daniel spent the next several years learning the life of a true sailor.

Rising in rank and authority, Daniel became well-seasoned and valued among his crew. He soon took the position of second mate, something that people of his social class were rarely able to do. While serving as second mate, Daniel’s leadership and heroic actions in battle caught the attention of Admiral Grey Flynn, commander over the entire fleet. Daniel had long since admired Admiral Flynn and wished to one day sail under his direct command.

Admiral Flynn’s first mate soon died in a skirmish off the coast of Port Lorne, creating a valuable vacancy of leadership. After much discussion with his officers and Captain Cypress, Admiral Flynn pursued King William’s authorization, eventually extending the offer to Daniel, to fill that vacancy.

The Crimson Reef was a powerful and impressive Man-O-War and longtime battle-scarred vessel, weighing almost a thousand tons, baring three large masts, carrying forty mounted guns and holding a crew in an excess of one hundred and fifty brave men.

Supporting his widowed mother, who lost her husband over the past year to a whaling incident, Daniel accepted the call with urgency. Tweed, second mate aboard the Crimson Reef, grew bitter knowing he should have been selected as first mate by right of his position. Instead, it would be Daniel’s wage that would see the increase. Tweed would have to wait until Daniel was either promoted to Captain or dead before he might advance to such a position. Tweed was mostly respected but his unfavorable looks, being like that of a hairy elf, walking with a funny hobble due to a recent but petty brawl, often hindered his advancement.

Most important to Daniel, when considering the offer, was his desire to court the daughter of Count Spencer, a wealthy aristocratic socialite who, up until this offer of high esteem was granted by King William, would not allow such a courtship. Over the previous few months Daniel had repeatedly petitioned Count Spencer for the opportunity to call on Katherine, his only daughter. Though Count Spencer was close to Daniel and appreciated his longtime friendship to Nathan, his eldest son, who ran in more vile circles, he would not allow a suitor of such low status to court his daughter. But, Daniel was persistent.

With the King’s personal endorsement of Daniel’s high-ranking position, Count Spencer did finally consent, allowing Daniel and Katherine to begin a respectful
courtship. But, testing the endurance of their relationship, Daniel was obliged to stay in the King’s service under Admiral Flynn, traveling abroad for months at a time.

Having lost many a good sailor in the same skirmish that left him without a first mate, Admiral Flynn was in need of a few more hands. Unwilling to take from the other vessel’s in his innumerable fleet, Admiral Flynn pulled into port, ordering Daniel to take a few men into town and, whether drunk or sober, sign ten strong and willing into service.

“And if too many are unwilling?” asked Daniel. “What then, Admiral?”

“Press them into joining if need be,” ordered Admiral Flynn with a straight and callus expression, always exceptionally serious and unbending. “If force is the only option, then force we shall use. If our duty to protect King and Country require certain laws on land to be broken, those very duties then supersede even the highest of these laws. Besides, Daniel, if it were up to me, anyone who blatantly denies service to the King should be arrested and hanged for treason.”

“I will remember that, Sir. Thank you – for King and Country.”

Finding a Tavern by the harbor of his liking, Daniel was successful in soliciting eight
good-enough
men to join his crew. But, unable to find more, he turned to force-joining. Examining a dark and gloomy alleyway, not too far from the tavern, Daniel could hear and eventually see two drunkards walking haphazardly toward him singing shanties at the top of their lungs.

“Yo hum, yo hum,

Gimme a bottle o’ rum.

Yo hog, yo hog,

Gimme a pint‘r a grog.

Just gimme a hogshead,

‘R I’ll pull back me doghead,

‘N’ put a ball‘n yur bum!

So…

Gimme a bottle o’ rum!

Yo hum!”

Daniel ordered his men to pull out their wooden clubs and hide from view. When the two men passed them in the street, Daniel called out the order. His men then jumped out from behind the two unsuspecting and carefree individuals, striking them in the back of their drunken heads and knocking them unconscious. They were then hauled off quickly and quietly to the Crimson Reef before anyone could witness the sanctioned kidnapping.

While at sea, these drunkards were forced to sign the articles and join the crew. Robert S. Hall was the first to sign, followed by the most disinclined sailor, Wiliam-Sean Guile. After
joining
the crew, Robert and William were not to become intoxicated, as was stated in the articles.

The first six months as shipmates under Admiral Flynn, both Robert and William would often be found drinking. Unfortunately for them they had reached the point of drunkenness more than once and were consequently ordered to be flogged, which the Admiral loved to carry out himself and brutally so. Admiral Flynn made sure his whip was not only knotted at the ends but also had metal shards intertwined. Within twenty lashes they would faint from the loss of blood and ensuing pain. Fortunately, Admiral Flynn allowed his personal physician to treat most of these men, minimizing infection, which would frequently lead to death, if the wounds were not cared for.

By their seventh month of service, both Mr. Hall and William were clear-headed and sober. Tweed, the ship’s second mate, grew to be very close friends with Mr. Hall, who was acknowledged for his opening nepotistic ways. William, although very charismatic, was known for his spiteful attitude.

Although Admiral Flynn was a great asset to the Crimson Reef, there was a new more powerful ship being built and in the final stages of completion. It was called the Sentry, otherwise
known as England’s Naval Jewel and so-called Ship-of-the-Line. Admiral Flynn was preparing to take command of the Sentry for some time now.

When Admiral Flynn finally did transfer to the Sentry, Daniel was placed in command of the Crimson Reef as Captain. Tweed took his place as First Mate and Robert Hall as second, through Tweed’s recommendation.

Upon news of his promotion, Daniel promptly approached Count Spencer for his daughter’s hand. Count Spencer immediately stood with apparent displeasure. “Do you mean to take for yourself my only daughter?” he sternly asked.

“If this is the way you handle your dealings I want no part!” insisted Count Spencer, followed by a kind wink. “But, will you please take Katherine off my hands,” he added with a smile. “You really do deserve one other, you know!”

Still in shock from Count Spencer’s initial reply, Captain Stirvin was inept to hear the rest. Before the actual answer could sink in, he began to defend himself, speaking at a very rapid pace, “But I love your daughter, I really do. I need your blessing, but I…” Finally catching on, Captain Stirvin realized the answer was a
yes
. “I, I can… I mean you…I can? Oh thank you, Sir! Thank you!” Feeling overly appreciative and relieved, Captain Stirvin could not contain himself, losing his composure by clumsily throwing his arms around the Count in an awkward embrace. But realizing what he was doing, he quickly jerked away, accidently forcing his soon-to-be father-in-law back and to the ground. Extremely humiliated and yet flush with excitement, Captain Stirvin bid Count Spencer a fond but hasty farewell, “Ah, good day Sir or Father – Count. Well, thank you.” Captain Stirvin turned and ran out the door in a ball of sweat in an eager search for his would-be fiancé.

With limited time on land, the engagement lasted a mere month and a half. The marriage took place in the gardens behind Count Spencer’s home. It was a gorgeous wedding, lit in part by the moon lit sky and candlelight that gently flickered about. The ambiance was spectacular, adorned with colorful lanterns and transparent vales of white overhead, flowing gently in the cool evening air, which was scented with the smell of sweat perfumes.

Nathan bade the toast to the captivating new couple, “May you live a long life together,” everyone raised their glasses, “in love and happiness,” He took a brief pause, “and learn to compose yourself when confronted by a man whose daughter you would take to wife!” Everyone politely laughed. Nathan raised his glass high in the air and looked toward the happy couple. “To the bride and groom!” He smiled with a heartfelt gesture.

Captain Stirvin took Katherine by the hand. They stood before their family and friends, smiling with a mild expression of love. Everyone exclaimed in unison “Cheers!” A loud shout of approval and applause quickly burst forth.

As the months passed, everything was going well for Captain Stirvin and Katherine. However, with tensions growing between France and England concerning Spain, Captain Stirvin was needed abroad. War seemed imminent.

While Captain Stirvin was out to sea, tragedy struck the Spencer family. Nathan was exhibiting a good time at a local tavern with some of his more ill-behaved friends. He was approached by a recent acquaintance, Captain Benjamin Hornigold, a newly commissioned privateer. An insult was assumed, resulting in a scuffle, where a short blade was promptly introduced. The fight lasted but a minute, though poor Nathan was ultimately run-through. Within hours, before any family could be notified, Nathan was dead.

A month following the incident, Captain Stirvin returned to the port of London from his politically charged assignment. Stepping onto the docks, he was informed of Nathan’s death by a young guard posted there.

Nathan’s death was soon dwarfed—completely drowned out—when on March eighth, seventeen hundred and two, King William was involved in an accident while riding horse and died. Because King William’s death occurred only days after Nathan’s, the official investigation never really got off the ground and was soon forgotten. It was assumed that Captain Hornigold, a known patriot, was only defending himself, as revealed in a very short and trifle examination. No one ever openly refuted and a trial never came to fruition. Privateers would, from that time forth, prove to be just as unfavorable to Captain Stirvin as any pirate, his most detested enemies.

All three of King William’s children were still born. Therefore, Anne Stuart, sister to Queen Mary, succeeded the throne as the first Queen of England without a King by her side. She trusted in her officers and those in high places to keep the kingdom in order.

Daniel had only been Captain for a few somber months, when he was called on by his new Queen to settle a small disturbance within a costal township. However, on the day he set sail, a particularly dark and inclement storm was building up and awaiting them out at sea. Captain Stirvin had a great deal of confidence in his abilities. His burnt skin and calloused hands told the tale of his life as a, now, experienced mariner. But, little did he know that this night would prove to be a true test of his leadership and courage. As the storm began to pick up in strength and speed, the deck became a flurry of activity.

Relentlessly, the storm thrashed about in an angry dance of wind and rain embellished by the flashing glow lighting up the night sky, followed by thunder’s ominous clap, which only grew louder and more rampant. An eerie whistle, caused by the constant fury of the forceful winds breaking against the high riggings on the mizzenmast, struck further fear into the crew.