Rosebud Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 The storm that had darkened most of the day, cleared by late noon, leaving in its wake a cool fresh breeze. The ships had weathered the rocky waves and the town was missing only a few tiles. The only real damage had been to the magistrate’s office just up the road from the docks. A lamp had been upturned and the dwelling reduced to ashes before any meaningful help could arrive. The fire had destroyed records and case files. Either by luck or design it had consumed the records involved with the civil action pending against Mr. Craig and his sometime partner Garth Mudd. Down on the docks the lumpers had nearly finished stowing the cargo aboard the Ricki Tiki as Craig arrived. He stood on the dock for a moment harkening back to that day he was nearly killed. His hand lifted up to his bandaged face; touching it lightly…it still hurt. “Permission to come aboard…and get the captain for me” Craig called as he came up the gangway. “Permission granted” came the reply from the deck hand. The ship seemed in fine shape, deck clean, ropes rounded nicely. To the untrained eye all appeared ship-shape. The sailors seemed different though, not as unkempt. They were all busily about their respective tasks making ready to be underway. He could hear the hands below deck as they stowed away crates of squawking chickens and fat pigs. Below that the boxes of hemp and cords of teak were being adjusted. This new captain’s first journey would be a long one, from Port Royal to Charleston and then back, without making landfall. In Craig’s breast pocket he held a letter, a letter that he had given to every new captain in his small trading fleet. Its dark brown envelope was sealed with wax. The voyage and the mission were a test to see if this new captain could be trusted upon. The hatch to the stern of the ship below the poop opened and Captain Dupree emerged. He dipped his head and then replaced his slouch hat. He was wearing a white silk shirt that clung to his perspiring body. Seeing Craig he adjusted his sleeves as best he could and smiled. Craig smiled back not wanting to, but there was something about this man…something different. He handed Dupree the envelope sternly. “Captain, see to it that a Mr. Garth Mudd receives this as soon as you arrive in Charleston. Do not open it and see to it that it never leaves your possession. He will give you a small chest. Do not open it and see to it…that as well never leaves your possession…understood?” As he said this he was looking past Dupree at the four cannons that lined the starboard rail of the ship. They were oiled and cannon balls were stacked neatly beside them. “ Err…captain” he added, “ You do realize that those cannons are aboard simply for insurance purposes…not one of them, I believe has ever been fired. If you meet any damned pirates just give them what they want…except the letter of course. I don’t want to have to replace any ships…or captains” he said smiling again. “Aye sir, the letter will be taken care of, you have my word.” Dupree waited for further instructions but none seemed prepared to be given. “Begging your pardon sir, I’ve a few more adjustments to be made below…if there’s nothing else?…” Something about those guns was too right. They looked far too usable for Craig’s tastes. “Right…of course, of course captain. Have a safe passage. Oh, when can I expect to look for you?” he asked. “A fortnight…wind willing” That night as the high tide ebbed, the Ricki Tiki passed out to sea from under the guns of the port Royal garrison and into the moonlit night. 1
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