⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵...(Tour of "High Island")...Continued...
[Last time...]
Just then, far off to the north, the sound of a distant trumpet blast faintly echoed through the forest!
“What was that?!” Leyla asked in a startle tone.
“It must be my ship! It is an honor to be part of the powerful frigate!” Lupega replied with excitement as he quickened his pace.
(See: @joshuaslane/silver-adventures-captain-joshua-slane-04oc25-fife-thousand-four-hundred-ounces )
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[Youngstown…on the wharf…]
The ship’s bell rang out four bells in the afternoon watch (2:00pm) and Warrant Officer Bleujay came running up the galley stairs with eight armed men following close behind her – Able Seaman Pocketechange, Seamen Meesterboom, Geneeverett, Jaraumoses, Hivebuzz and Maddogmike, followed by Boys Chadmichaellibby and Punkysdad.
“On the portside rail men! Keep your muskets well hidden!” Bleujay barked as the men scurried into position.
“Great job everyone!” Able Seaman Thebighigg said as he watched the men line-up at the rail.
A quick warning glance from Bleujay however signaled him to stay quiet and he stepped back towards the main mast next to Junior Petty Officer Trayan.
“What’s happening Sairrr?” He asked, clearly confused about scene that was unfolding.
“I have no idea mate! But whatever it is, we’ll do it!” Trayan said as he chewed on a toothpick and watched closely.
Meanwhile, the auction was reaching a frenzy as the banker hailed for six thousand ounces of silver!
There was now some squabbling and shoving going on between the banker’s men and the plantation man’s men but as yet no real violence. Black Bart stood silent, just two feet behind them, making no further bids.
[On the bridge of the Silverton…]
Commanders Galligan and Kerrislravenhill stood with arms folded next to the captain, silently watching the crowd…
“We're near th' end o' it mates, she won’t gang much higher...” The captain said matter-of-factly, “It’s time tae git a crew oan th' big guns, but keep th' gin doors closed until ye hear mah order.”
“You’re expecting trouble?” Galligan asked calmly.
“Big trooble mucker. Men ur gonna die tadays an' Ahh hiner tae Gawd it isn’t onie o' oors!”
“But Sairrr, the sixteen pounders are primed without shot?”
“Ahh knows it, ye knows it…but th' ragtag dobbers doon belaw dorn’t knows it!”
“You want us to dry-fire over the wharf?” Galligan asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Dry froms th' sixteens, but weel-loaded wi' leid froms uir muskets Gally!”
Kerrislravenhill glanced at Galligan and he just shrugged as he led the way down off the bridge stairs.
On the main deck he stopped at the galley stairs…
“You take position here for relaying the command, I’ll run the gun crew below.” He ordered.
“Aye Sairrr!”
[On the wharf….]
“I have six thousand, two hundred ounces!” Lieutenant Gratefuleveryday’s voice rang out from the podium.
Now the plantation owner was clearly stressed! He mumbled incoherently in anger with his men as they conceded the lead to the banker.
They were near the end of their resources and the banker new it! His stern face showed his determination which only led to more anger in his competitor.
Finally, scraping together all of his resources the plantation man yelled out,
“Six thousand, four hundred focking ounces of silver!”
The crowd roared with excitement! It seemed that the auction was now a two-man affair as the traders remained silent. But the banker seemed unperturbed as he slowly rolled up his sleeves and glanced up at the podium…
”Six thousand, six hundred ounces!” He yelled out confidently.
Hats went flying from the banker’s men and now the shoving and squabbling turned violent as blows were exchange for a moment before Lieutenant Grateful banged the gavel on the podium and warned a closure if the crowd did not calm down!
Finally silence fell on the wharf! All eyes were on the plantation man but his spirit and his money purse were broken. With a heavy face and a slew of curses he slowly motioned for his men to leave.
“Six thousand, six hundred ounces going once?!” Grateful called out with the gavel in his hand, “Twice?!”…………..
A long pause stifled the crowd and the banker’s men were beginning to celebrate with laughing and shaking of fists!
“Sold – for six thousand, six hundred ounces of silver!” Grateful called out as he banged the gavel down on the podium!
The banker motioned to his men and in a moment a four-wheeled cart covered in deerskin was rolled up on the wharf. After quickly inspecting the booty within, and evening out the sum, he then ordered his men to wheel the cart towards the Silverton’s cargo ramp.
It was then that the captain noticed the trader groups clearly moving! One very close to the Silverton’s cargo ramp and the other gathering just portside of La Serpent...
“Bleujay! Ready yourself!” He called out.
“Aye Sairrr!”
“Errisl, keep your ear to my voice!”
“Aye, aye Sairrr!”
As the heavy cart approached the Silverton all hell broke out on the wharf! Black Bart stepped forward and with a brutal thrust, buried his dagger in the ribs of the unsuspecting banker!
In a split second the banker was down and writhing in pain in what might be a death blow! Suddenly Bart raised the bloody dagger high in the air and yelled out,
“Huzza!!!”
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📝 Note: "If th' Toor o' High Islain' has caught yer intrest, all o' me stoatin' adventures kin be foond by searchin':
Silver Adventures of Captain Joshua Slane
Oan yer 'Hife Search tool' an' sae forth." 😉 -Keptin
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References: - Pictures from: www.freeimages.com, www.pexels.com, pixabay.com, Hive.blog, Wikipedia an’ www.google.com/maps. Data also loosely interpretted froms: historica.fandom.com, Wikipedia, an' sometimes finely crafted reit from th' author's extensiff personal experience an' such.
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"Confused? Ascared? Seasick? Need tae gab with th' Keptin?- Skelp th' 'Reply' button muckers!" - Keptin
📝 "Remember maties, bein' crew oan th' mighty Frigate Silverton ⛵ is a sure cure fur loneliness! We sail together...ur nae at aw!" 🙌🏼🤝👲🏼🥷🏼👩🏼🍳👨🏼🔧👨🏼💼🧑🏼🎨🧕🏼🤵🏼♂️🤵🏼♂️🦹🏼💁🏼🙋🏼♀️👩🏼🍳🤴🏼👮🏼♂️💂🏼♂️🕵🏼👨🏼⚕️ 😉 -Keptin
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