There was a thunder in the deck as people rushed to position. She could hear people from the cabin and forecastle falling out of hammocks and rushing to position.
Taylor slowly slipped out of the barrel, and made double time towards the stern, arriving in time to see Doctor Livesey and Trelawney coming out in a frazzled rush.
All hands made for the weather bow. A belt of fog had lifted with the appearance of the moon. Just cresting the horizon, to the south-west, were two low hills, a couple of miles apart. Just visible, was a third hill, it’s peak still buried in fog.
Taylor was lost in the dreamlike state of it all, that she almost forgot the horror of what had just happened before. The stern cry of Captain Taylor snapped her to attention, issuing out a steady stream of orders with a confident tone.
The Coronet laid about into the wind, and began sailing a course that would lay it just clear of the island to the east.
“Has any of you ever seen that island?” The Captain barked.
To Taylor’s surprise, Vernon spoke up. “Aye, sir! I were a cook aboard a trader, that watered thereabouts.”
“The anchorage is to the south, behind an islet, I fancy?” The Captain inquired from the bridge above the man down on the deck.
Vernon knuckled his forehead, “Aye, sir. Skeleton Island they be callin’ it. It were a pirate place, once. Lotta names, none of ’em nice, sir. The hill to the nor, they call that the Foremast Hill. The hills being fore, main and mizzen, like.”
“Go on.”
“The main hill, the big ‘un, they usually callin’ that the Lookout. You can see the anchorage clear as day from there, sir. Used to use it to guide ships safe-like.” Vernon revealed far more than Taylor would have thought him comfortable saying.
The Captain, without a single hesitation, called, “Come up here, sailor. I have a chart. See if that’s the place.”
Taylor felt her stomach drop, as the man shuffled up top, but she felt a small amount of reassurance when she saw that the chart was on fresh paper. It was a copy, but the captain must have made it without the treasure and things.
Vernon showed no hint of disappointment, or of knowing what the map was supposed to contain. Simply nodding, “Aye, sir. I thinkin’ this is the spot, to be sure. Better map than any pirate done make, where’d you get it? This here, Kidd’s Anchorage. That’s alongside Skeleton Island. There ain’t no better place for us in these waters.”
“Very helpful.” The Captain nodded, “I’ll ask for some more help, later. You may go.”
Taylor was disturbed by the coolness with which Edward had given over his knowledge of the island. She felt unsettled as the man began to head in her direction. She knew she should never have fallen for him, but she was still trying to hope that his speech to the pirates invading the crew was… She couldn’t justify it.
Just wished she could.
To be frank with herself, Taylor had never been in love before. She couldn’t be sure that what she was feeling really was love. She knew she felt something, but the man lied so easily. That feeling was entirely undeserved.
Vernon couldn’t know that she had overheard him from the apple barrel. She needed to keep it that way, if she was to make certain that they didn’t all end up dead - as promised by the man.
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The man in question smiled at her, and clapped an arm around her shoulders, “Ah! This island be a thing for a lass like yourself. Sneak off, bathe, climb among the trees. Even goats to hunt, if you wantin’ to get on the good side of the crew.”
“Any lad would be like a goat, themselves.” She said, emphasising the male designator.
Vernon gave a small laugh, “That makes me want to be young, again. Oh, to forget me timber leg! Remember me, when you find some fruit or something, would you?”
He squeezed her shoulder affectionately, and she found herself dreaming of kissing him. Before her daydream jerked to reality, he was hobbling off, back forward and below.
The captain, squire and doctor were all up on the quarter deck still. Taylor needed to tell them what she’d heard, but couldn’t in front of the crew. She was still looking for an excuse, when Livesey signalled for her.
She dashed up, and he gave an offhand yawn, “I left my pipe below. Fetch it, would you?”
Taylor leaned in, smiling pleasantly, “Of course, doctor. Don’t react. I have terrible news. Make an excuse to make for the cabin, would you?”
He blinked, and then smiled, “Of course, Taylor.”
With that, he turned his attention back to the others, and Taylor headed off to the cabin, as if she were about to fetch the item as instructed. None of the others behind her raised their voices, or seemed struck by anything.
The captain addressed the crew behind her, “Lads! This land that we’ve sighted, is the very place we’re sailing for. Mr. Trelawney, being a gentleman, has seen you doing your duty, and so has called for grog to be served out, to your health and to our luck. We’re headed to the cabin, to make our own toasts, and to prepare as we’re needed.”
The cheer from the crew was near deafening. It was so happy and bright, that Taylor wondered if these were the same people thinking of slitting her throat.
“Once more, for Captain Taylor!” Vernon cried out.
----------------------------------------
The three sat down at the table, bringing out a bottle of Spanish wine, and the doctor smoking away. The stern window was open, and the moon was shining through that in the ship’s wake.
“Mr. Hawkins.” The squire barked, “You said you needed to speak to us. Speak up, lad.”
Taylor swallowed nervously, and then relayed the whole of the on-deck conversation. She didn’t want to lay it on Vernon, but she told the truth of it all.
None of the three interrupted as she was speaking. No expressions either, but they watched her face carefully. Judging every word spoke as she said it.
“Shit.” The squire breathed out, “Well… Captain… You were right. I was wrong. I await your orders.”
The captain shook his head slowly, and indicated that Taylor sit, before pouring her a glass of wine. “I have seen a crew meaning to mutiny, once or twice, in my time. This crew? Not a hint.”
“That must be Vernon.” The doctor said grimly, “One must admire the man. Trust and loyalty is something he seems to evoke with every syllable.”
“He’d be suited in this cabin.” The captain agreed, “But… Enough. This won’t lead us anywhere. I do have… Three or four thoughts.”
“Speak, captain, speak.” Mr. Trelawney said eagerly.
The captain drummed his fingers on the table for a moment, “Firstly. We must go on, because we cannot turn back. Were we to do so, mutiny would happen at once.”
“Truth, painful, but true.” The doctor aired.
“Secondly, we have a little time before us. At least… Until the treasure is found. They are unlikely to remove us, whilst we have map and the know. Something we must now keep closer secret upon.”
The squire looked a little ashen at the last statement. Taylor didn’t blame him for the situation, but neither would she blame any who chose to do so.
“Thirdly, there are faithful hands. I don’t see them all as a singular pirate crew. It will come to blows, sooner or later. So… We prepare to make the move first. Isolate those loyal, and prepare ourselves.”
The doctor looked grim, “With ourselves… I would not be certain of more than seven.”
“There are a few hands I picked myself, before I discovered Edward curs’ed Vernon.” Trelawney offered. “A half-dozen.”
The captain sighed, “Well. The best that I can say is little. We must lay to, and keep a bright lookout. It will be trying. There is no helping, we must keep silent until we know where each man lies.”
“Taylor can do more than any of us.” The doctor said excitedly, “The crew is not shy with you, and you have an eye to notice the detail. Our man among them.”
“You have all my faith.” The squire addressed her, and Taylor nearly choked on her drink.
She felt altogether helpless. She didn’t see what it was that she could really do, apart from get herself killed. All the same, it seemed that now the hopes of all of them lay in her.
A dozen on her side, at most, against a full ship’s complement.
The heavens’ wrath against her seemed to have returned.