CHAPTER THREE - THE PIRATE AND THE OLD MAN
CHAPTER FOUR - THE GHOST OF THE PAST
CHAPTER EIGHT - A PIRATE ONCE AGAIN
CHAPTER 9 - THE QUEEN'S BUSINESS
The Summer of Peace that had so blessed the Colony of North Carolina in the year of the Lord 1702, would soon give way to the Fall of War. Events across the Atlantic would bring War to the far reaches of the British Empire. King Charles II of Spain died without heir, leaving his vast Empire to Philip of Anjou of the French Royal House of Bourbon. The prospect of a united Spain and France under Bourbon rule, drove fear throughout Europe, and in particular through the Royal Court of Queen Anne.
Queen Anne's claim to the throne was tenuous at best, she had come to the throne earlier in the year with rumblings from Scotland for the restoration of the House of Stuart. Her Jacobite rival to the throne, James Stuart, with the backing of the French King was raising and army to invade Scotland.
With the prospect of war on her northern border, of war on the Continent and of war throughout the Americas, Queen Anne mobilized all the forces at her disposal. This war, the War of Spanish Succession, would be fought around the globe, an entire world at war. In the Americas, this world at war would be known as "Queen Anne's War."
Henry Herbert, the Lord Pembroke, stood at the far end of the docks on Roanoke Island as the Concord entered port and docked. He stood there mildly amused, with his purse full of Mr. Hill's silver, as he watched the crew of the Concord unload her precious cargo of tobacco.
Aaron Lewis, may have been the greatest seaman he had ever known, but when it came to the business at hand, his wife Kathleen O'Donnell Lewis was completely in charge. The crew of the Concord heeded every command, barked out in her thick Irish accent. She shooed away the buyers while the tobacco was displayed in perfect array. She would wait for the other ships to unload their paltry cargo before she sold a single hogshead of tobacco. Kate was all Irish, Kate was all business.
Kate had perfectly timed the sale of the tobacco, for when the buyers saw the lack of quality tobacco from the Summerfield and the Skye, they flocked to the Concord and bid up the price. The crew of the Concord smiled with delight as their fortunes raised with each increased bid.
As the last of the Concord's tobacco was sold, Lord Pembroke made his way to the Concord and towards his old friend Aaron Lewis. Years earlier, Lord Pembroke had commanded a ship in the English Navy on which Aaron Lewis had served as a young Ensign. He knew Aaron to be one of the finest seamen and to be one of the finest officers he had ever met. And yet being a Commoner the rank of Ensign would be the highest rank his family could ever afford.
Lord Pembroke thought it extremely unfortunate that England would always be deprived of most talented men. But not in this war, not this time, not in America, for he had obtained for Aaron a Letter of Marque signed by the Queen herself. Moreover, he had procured a ship for Aaron to command.
As he approached the Concord he beheld Kate in her finest glory, he had heard that Aaron had married, but until now he did not know how well had married. She is beautiful woman and smart as a whip, he thought to himself. Though rank hath its privilege, when it comes to marriage, the Commoner has a true advantage; Aaron had married for love, and he had married well, a lucky man indeed.
"Aaron!"
Captain Lewis looked down the dock, in some what disbelief, he knew the man, but Roanoke Island was the last place he ever thought he would see his old Captain, Henry Herbert, Lord Pembroke. Aaron hurried down the gangplank of the Concord and onto the dock.
Aaron was very glad to see his old friend, his old shipmate, his old Captain. As he strode quickly towards Lord Pembroke, Aaron saw Mr. Hagney out of the corner of his eyes, and despite his excitement, thought it best to do as Mr. Hagney would do, and to remember the formalities.
"Lord Pembroke, this is indeed a most pleasant surprise. Aaron Lewis at your service, sir."
Aaron removed his hat and gave a proper bow, something he had not done since coming to America.
Lord Pembroke nodded in reply.
"Now that that it is out of the way, you shall call me Henry, and not bow again my old friend." Lord Pembroke responded as he embraced Aaron.
"Aaron, I come all this way on the Queen's business and the Queen has business with you!"
Kate, Kevin and Mr. Hagney had all watched with absolute curiosity often sharing glances of disbelief, as Aaron and Lord Pembroke met. Kate's eyes widened at the sight of Aaron bowing to this man. Who was he? Why would her husband bow, she had never seen that before.
She dusted herself off as Aaron and this mysterious man approached.
"Lord Pembroke, may I have the pleasure to introduce you to my wife, and Master of the Concord, Mistress Kathleen O'Donnell Lewis."
Kate, given the extraordinary circumstances and abiding by her customs learned long ago, gave a deep curtsy, bringing a smile to Mr. Hagney who always delighted in the formalities.
"The pleasure is all mine Mistress Lewis."
Mr. Hagney, gave a small clearing of his throat and a small nudge to Kevin who had been staring wide eyed at the entire affair.
"Oh of course, Lord Pembroke may I introduce my first mate, Mr. Cornelius Hagney and our cabin boy, my nephew, young Master Kevin Henry."
Mr. Hagney removed his hat, holding it in hand, bowed and clearly declaring: "Your Lordship, Mr. Hagney at your service."
Kevin, who by now had become accustomed to mirroring Mr. Hagney, so as to avoid a swift nudge, removed his hat, bowed and said: "Your Lordship, Master Kevin Henry at your service."
Lord Pembroke simply nodded in reply.
"Now, Aaron if you and I could have a word in your quarters. Of course, Mistress Lewis you and Kevin should join us."
The crew had been watching, completely perplexed, with such strange introductions and formalities. A rare sight in the Carolinas at the very edge of the Empire.
They had been most anxious to recieve their shares of silver so as to leave the Concord and enjoy all the pleasures that Roanoke had to offer.
As their Captain and Lord Pembroke walked onboard the Concord, Mr. Hagney finally spoke up.
"Begging your pardon Captain Lewis, . . . the crew."
Lord Pembroke surveyed the faces of the crew and smiled. He himself was a man of the Sea and knew the heart of every sailor. Laughing he said:
"Mr. Hagney, come here."
Lord Pembroke pulled out the silver winnings from his wager and placed several pieces in Mr. Hagney's hand.
"Mr. Hagney, the drinks are on me, just make sure that the entire crew is back onboard at nine bells, for the Concord shall be setting sail in the morning."
"Thank you sir, thank you so very much, and by your leave your Lordship." Mr. Hagney replied.
"Follow me lads, tonight we drink courtesy of Lord Pembroke".
The crew gave out a loud cheer then following Mr. Hagney rushed towards town and all the pleasures that Roanoke Island had to offer.
Captain Lewis and Lord Pembroke made their way to the Captain's quarters with Kate and Kevin close behind. They sat down at the Captian's table, with Kevin standing aside serving port, and attending the needs of the table.
Lord Pembroke began to explain his unexpected arrival.
"Aaron, England is at war with Spain and France. And as you know with war comes opportunity, for both you and I. I personally spoke with her majesty concerning your talents. My father, who as you know, once served as Lord High Admiral, offered to personally pay for the outfitting of a dozen ships. I myself pledged to outfit three ships, here in the Americas, with the one condition that you would be granted Captaincy of one of the ships along with a Letter of Marque."
Lord Pembroke reached into his vest pocket and produce the Letter of Marque, signed by Queen Anne with the Royal Seal affixed.
Aaron's eyes widened in disbelief as he read the document. Fortunes were made by the likes of this letter. He had a lawful right to seize and plunder all French and Spanish ships upon the sea.
Kate who understood the magnitude of the situation could hardly believe how their fortunes had turned. Then her eyes lay upon Kevin, and her promise to Jack to keep him safe. She began to worry, how could she keep such a promise if he too was to go to war.
"I am most honored, but Henry, as you can see the Concord is not exactly suitable for roaming the High Seas. I am afraid the French and the Spanish would have a great laugh at any attempt to seize them."
"No, no, no, of course not Aaron, the Concord is ill suited for our endeavors. Tomorrow, you shall set sail for Norfolk in Virginia. Your ship is there, a large merchantman that is being up fitted with twenty-two guns, the Essex. She will be manned with 150 men. I have made arrangements with a certain Mr. Richard Hall to take command of the Concord. He will sail safely in the Chesapeake Bay."
"Dick Hall," laughed Aaron, "he is ancient. Truth is I had thought him dead."
Kate who had been silent finally spoke out.
"Norfolk, well I suppose Aaron, that you intend to leave me and Kevin in Norfolk?"
Aaron hesitated, he knew Kate's mind, she worried for Kevin's sake and not her own. He did not want his wife to hazard the dangers of war but he knew the law of the sea, Kevin had signed the book. Kevin was bound to serve on the Essex and to face the hazard of war. He chose his words carefully, as Lord Pembroke looked on and as Kevin began to nervously understand the meaning of it.
"You, of course my dear shall remain in Norfolk, but as for Kevin, he signed aboard the Concord, as a member of the crew. All the members of the crew will be transferred to the Essex, it is unfortunately the Law of the Sea."
Kate glared at Aaron, for a brief moment. She had promised Jack to keep Kevin safe. Kevin was hers to keep safe, hers to watch over and hers to never be parted from.
"So Aaron, the Law of the Sea is that any member of the crew, who has signed the log book, is to be transferred to the Essex without exception. Even for me own nephew, my dead sister Maggie's only child, and for all I know the only blood relative of mine that still draws breath in this world. No exceptions, is that what you mean to be telling me, Aaron Lewis?"
Aaron drew a deep breath. For Kate had summoned all her wrath and anger in defense of Kevin, and few men could withstand fury of Kathleen O'Donnell Lewis.
But Aaron Lewis was a man of the Sea and a Captain, who had been granted a great privilege by the Queen herself. Aaron could not back down, not this time and most certainly not in front of Lord Pembroke.
"The Law of the Sea is that the signed members of the crew on the Concord are bound to serve on the Essex. And I, as Captain, shall enforce the Law, with no exceptions."
"Is that so, Aaron."
"Yes, tis so, Kate."
With that Kate, stood up and went to the Captain's desk pulling out the log book. She opened it to the page where the crew had signed aboard the Concord and began to read out loud.
"Let me see, ahh yes", turning towards Kevin, "Kevin me dear sweet nephew, it is your mark right here a simple letter "K", that I myself saw you write. You are bound to serve on the Essex."
She smiled at Kevin, who nervously smiled back. Then Kate began to read out loud other names from the book.
"Lets see here, oh yes, Captain Aaron Lewis and I see your signature right here. And let me see, oh yes, First Mate, and there is Mr. Hagney's signature. But wait, it says here Master of the Ship, now Aaron help me, whose signature is this?"
She put the logbook in front of Aaron's face for him to read. Aaron did not look at the book but only stared at Kate.
"No, you can't make out that signature can ya? Well perhaps I can?"
Kate glanced briefly at the book and then back at Aaron.
"I think I know that signature. Yes I am quite certain it reads, Kathleen O'Donnell Lewis, Master of the Ship. Why that is my signature! I suppose, there being no exceptions to the Laws of the Sea , that I shall be transferred to the Essex as well."
Lord Pembroke laughed with delight. And chided in, "No exceptions Aaron! She is a member of the crew of the Essex."
Aaron sat still. He had been bested and there was no argument to be made. He was not angry, in fact deep down he was relieved, for his world was with Kate and without her there was no joy. He smile at Kate and thought to himself, she is all Irish and she is all business
"Fine." was all Aaron could muster.
"I am pleased that this matter is now settled. Kevin and I shall take our leave, for I have duties as master of the ship to perform. And it is time that Kevin learn the finest of tasks aboard the Concord, . . . the counting of the silver."
And with that Kevin and Kate left the Captain's Quarters.
Kevin was overjoyed with the outcome, for the mere thought of another parting, had almost brought him to tears. His Aunt Katie, would never leave him alone in the world!
As night fell on Roanoke Island, Captain Lewis and Lord Pembroke strolled the deck of the Concord. The watchtower rang nine bells, as the crew of the Concord returned from all the pleasures of town. Far too early for most of the crew, but orders are orders.
Captain Lewis, counted the crew as they staggered aboard.
"All aboard and accounted for sir." cried out Mr. Hagney as he strolled up the gangplank.