The Coronet was a fair way out. They had to reach her by rowing out, beneath the figureheads and around the sterns of many other ships. Taylor was the one who did the rowing, as the doctor and quire relaxed, chatting lively about the other ships as they passed.
When they finally reached her, they were met by two sailors, who tossed down a rope to tie the boat in place, before all three of them climbed the rope ladder that lay alongside. They all went up with an energetic pace.
One of the two sailors had gold and silver earrings, and a bit of a squint. His accent was thick as he greeted the other two by name, before ignoring Taylor’s presence altogether.
The squire smiled broadly, “Mr. Arrow! Fantastic to see you, and to see what you have done to my ship.”
Before the two of them could engage in the imminent friendly banter, however, another voice cut through the air like a hurricane. Deep and shaking to the very planks of the ship, “Mr. Trelawney! In my cabin!”
Arrow turned and left without another word, and the squire’s shoulders dropped. He gave a small smile, “Very good to see you, Mr. Arrow. Keep up the good work.”
The man gave knuckled his forehead, without slowing his pace.
Taylor followed, uncertain of where she belonged in all of this, as the doctor and squire headed up the half dozen steps to the wheel of the ship, before moving through a set of double doors behind it, and into a small but luxurious cabin.
“Well, Captain Taylor?” The squire asked lightly, “All is well, I hope. All shipshape and seaworthy?”
The captain leaned onto a table that was scattered with sea charts, and glared across at their employers, “To speak plainly, I don’t like this cruise, I don’t like the men, and I don’t like my officer.”
“Perhaps, sir, you don’t like the ship?” The squire barely refrained from snapping.
“Can’t speak to that, as I have not seen her tried.” The captain replied, “She seems a clever craft, more than that, I cannot say.”
“Possibly, sir…” The squire frowned, “You do not like your employer, then?”
Dr. Livesey cut in quickly, “Stay a bit. No use of such question as that but to produce ill feeling. The captain has said too much, or he has said too little, but I am bound to say that I require an explanation of his words. You say you do not like this cruise, can you please tell us the why of it, Captain Smollet?”
The man leaned back and crossed his arms, “Sealed orders, sir. I was engaged on sealed orders, to sail this ship for where the gentleman will bid me. Fair and good. But now, I find every man upon this ship knows more than I. That ain’t fair, and will lead nowhere but into Calypso’s embrace.”
“Ah.” The doctor went to speak, but the captain held up a hand.
“Next, I learn that we are going after treasure. Hear that from my hands, mind. Now, treasure is a beast. I don’t like them at the best of times, and I like it less when it is damned secret, and least of all when that secret has even been told to the blasted mayor!”
“The… Mayor?” Asked the squire.
“A way of speaking. The cook.” The captain said dismissively, “It is my firm belief that neither of you gentlemen know what you are about, and this is a voyage of life and death, and may damned well be a close run of it.”
“That is quite clear, and I dare say, true enough.” Replied Dr. Livesey, “We take the risk, but are not quite so ignorant as you believe us. Next, you say you don’t like the crew. Are they poor seamen?”
“I don’t like them, sir.” Smollet stated, “And I think I should have had the choosing of my hands.”
“Perhaps you should.” The doctor replied, “My friend should, perhaps, have taken you along with him. But the slight, was entirely unintentional. And you do not like Mr. Arrow?”
“He might be a good seaman, that’s fair.” Smollet said with exasperation, “But he’s too free with the crew. You cannot be a good officer and walk with the men. He drinks with them!”
“Oh my.” The squire said with surprise.
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“Well now.” The doctor said, “That seems to be the long and short of it, captain. So tell us what you want.”
Smollet considered his answer slowly, and Taylor got the feeling that there was a sharp mind behind those angry eyes, and that she could depend on him to sail her through any storm, and to fight for them if the ship were to be taken. This was a strong man, with concern at the heart of his query, not insult.
“Gentlemen… Are you determined to go about this cruise?”
“Like iron.” The squire said instantly.
“Very good.” The man stood tall, and relaxed. “Then, as you have heard me patiently, saying things with little evidence, hear a few more words. They are putting the powder and arms, in the fore. I’d suggest under the cabin.”
“That sounds reasonable.” Doctor Livesay agreed.
The captain frowned, “There has also been far too much waving of tongues. The crew need not know the full particulars of this venture, and it would be wisest if they knew nought.”
“There has been too much.” The doctor agreed.
The captain crossed their arms, “I have heard, bearing in mind that a crew holds their tongue around the captain, I have heard that there is a map of an island. That the map is marked where gold might be found.”
Then, to make the point further, the captain named the exact longitude and latitude of the island.
“By God’s glory!” Swore Trelawney, “I have told that to not a soul! Not ever!”
“The hands know it.” The captain replied flatly.
“Hawkins must have!”
Before she could reply to the accusation, the doctor continued without regard to the squire’s outburst. “It does not much matter on the means. The crew know it, and thus, they do.”
Hawkins gave a rough glare to the loose-tongued man who had dared to suggest she was the one to spill all deeds that passed them by.
“Well, gentlemen, I do not know who possesses the map in question.” The captain stated, “It must remain so. The contents should be a secret from myself, Arrow, and the crew. Otherwise, I would ask to resign, and that you take one more foolhardy as your captain.”
Livesay nodded, “You wish us to keep the matter dark. Putting things to the fore, so as to form a garrison in the ship. You fear a mutiny.”
Smollet frowned deeply, “I would not put words in my mouth. I may not fear all that I prepare for, as that is the captain’s duty. I believe some of the crew to be honest, such as Mr. Arrow. But I am responsible for every Jack and clout aboard. I only ask that you take certain precautions, or allow me to resign. That is all.”
“Very well!” Trelawney snapped, “I have heard you. We will do as you desire, but I think the worse of you!”
“You may think whatever you may, if it pleases you to think at all.” Smollet replied lightly, “You will find that what I do, is my duty.”
The squire was outraged, yet the three were dismissed from the cabin without any attempt to console the man.
The doctor, however, was much more jolly. “Trelawney, contrary to all of my imaginings, I do believe you have managed to gain three honest men to our sail! Edward Vernon, Samuel Arrow, and that man. The captain is quite solid, I congratulate you!”
“Vernon and Arrow, for certain.” The squire replied darkly, “But that intolerable bastard? I declare him to be entirely unmanly, unsailorly, and downright un-English!”
“We’ll see.” Doctor Livesay chuckled.
Looking around the deck, Taylor saw that the men had already begun to take out the arms and powder. They were singing lightly at their work, with Mr. Arrow standing and superintending.
> Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies,
> Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain.
> For we’ve received orders for to sail for ole England.
A chill ran down her spine, and the hairs on her arms stood on end. The familiar tones knocking on doors to where she had buried fears and memories that she hadn’t even realised that she had.
The whole schooner was overhauled. Six berths had been made astern, out of what had been the after-part of the main hold. That set of cabins only joined on the port side to the galley and forecastle by a sparred passage.
> But we hope in a short time to see you again.
> We will rant and we’ll roar like true British sailors,
> We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt sea.
Mr. Arrow and the captain were to sleep on deck in the companion, which had been enlarged on each side, until it was just about called a roundhouse. Very low it was still, of course, but there was room to swing two hammocks.
> Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England.
> From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.
Taylor was quickly put to work, changing the power and the berths, and finding her sea legs. Just because the boat was sitting in port, did not mean that it did not sway, and she had never been aboard one of this size in her life.
The last of the men, accompanied by Vernon, came aboard from a small boat. The moment he was aboard, the cook came up the side, inquiring eagerly, “Ho! What be this, then?”
“Changin’ da powder, Ed.” One of the men replied.
“What nonsense this be?” Vernon replied in confusion, “If we be doin’ o’ that, then we’ll be missing the mornin’ tide!”
An angry voice roared, “By my orders!”
The cook turned and made a low and humble bow, “Apologies, cap’n.”
“Go below.” The man ordered, “Hands will be wanting their supper.”
“Aye, aye. Cap’n.” The cook touched his forelock, and disappeared at once in the direction of his galley.
The doctor spoke softly, “He’s a good man, captain.”
“I do not disagree.” Captain Taylor replied, and turned quickly, “Oi! Easy with that, men! Easy! That’s live powder. Don’t send yourselves to Davey!”
A cry came up from the entry to below, Vernon calling out, “Here there, ship’s boy! Leave o’ that. Help me cook up somethin’.”
Taylor glanced over at the captain, who was too preoccupied, and then to Mr. Arrow, who gave a firm and dismissive nod. She jumped up, dancing her feet across the wooden deck, and down the stairs into the dark below.