Mad Red O'Bryan, Queen of the Caribbean: Chapter 2
by Tami B.
Disclaimer: The following work has been written solely for the enjoyment of fans and not for monetary profit. The rights to the characters initially created for the Daniel Boone series belong to 20th Century Fox and Fess Parker. All other characters are of the author's own creation. No copyright violation is intended.
While embracing the one she called 'Black Mood Murray', Rebecca managed to whisper in his ear. "Mingo, where in heaven's name did you get that outfit? I almost didn't recognize you." Releasing him, Rebecca took a step towards Joe as he approached. "Captain Snag, may I present my associate, Black Mood Murray."
Mingo stretched out his hand to Joe. "Captain," he greeted him, pitching his voice a little deeper and eliminating the slight English accent that colored his normal way of speaking.
Joe stared at him. "Don't I know you?" he finally asked.
"Do you?" Mingo fired back at him.
"You remind me of a feller that went by the name of 'Cherokee'. Could you be his brother or some other relative?" Joe asked.
"I do not believe so," Mingo answered.
"Joe, if you'll excuse us for a moment, Black Mood and I must have a conversation," Rebecca said, as she took Mingo by the arm and led him to their camp. Before they disappeared, she stopped, turned, and called out. "My crew, get your meal. Baby Face come with me."
Rebecca's crew moved swiftly towards the camp as Adam joined Rebecca and Mingo.
"Baby Face?" Mingo laughed. "That's your pirate name? Baby Face?"
"It's not like I had a choice in the matter," Adam snapped. "Mad Red O'Bryan here gave it to me and won't take it back. Had I known such a thing might happen when we discussed our plan, I would have insisted on a proper distinguished pirate name."
"Your name is a good one," Rebecca said, trying to soothe him. "Now, come along the both of you. We have some talking to do."
As Rebecca led her crew to camp, Joe, Blue Belly, and Little Priest watched them depart. "Why do you suppose that Black Mood Murray is here? And what are they discussin'?" Little Priest asked.
"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Joe said, moving away from them.
"What are you goin' to do?" Blue Belly asked.
Joe didn't answer as he made his way towards Rebecca's camp.
"That Black Mood Murray is a handsome man," Big Bertha said with admiration as she joined Blue Belly and Little Priest. Her fight with Rebecca seemed to have been forgotten as well as the fact that she had lost that fight. She displayed an uncharacteristic smile that revealed a few missing teeth. It seemed she had found something to grin about again.
Neither man commented. They suddenly decided to do some fishing and discreetly headed for the river. Big Bertha didn't notice. Her mind was totally focused on the new arrival.
Cincinnatus greeted Mingo and then scooped him up a bowl of beans and rice with deer meat thrown in. The four of them gathered around in a circle while the rest of the crew mingled nearby eating and telling wild stories. They soon became loud and boisterous. That was exactly what Rebecca had hoped they would do. The crew's noise would drown out what news Mingo had brought.
"Mingo, you must tell us who your clothier is," Rebecca said teasingly.
"Mrs. Linwood," Mingo answered. "Same as you. She said I had to look the part of a pirate. She arranged for these clothes. They are acceptable, although I must admit the pants might have been a tad roomier."
"Oh, I think they look fine, mighty fine indeed," Rebecca said with appreciation. She grinned broadly as Mingo's eyebrow arched.
"Where are the other men?" Adam asked, changing the subject.
"There will be no other men. Colonel Linwood was made aware of a possible raid by the Redcoats on the foundry. That necessitated him keeping the militia nearby in the event the rumor became fact," Mingo explained.
"Blasted bloody British," Adam cursed as he pounded a fist into his leg.
Adam had arrived at the Linwood home a few days after the Boones' had, and brought orders to Colonel Linwood to call out his militia to stop the supply shipment to Fort Hood. To his surprise and delight, Rebecca was visiting there and with her were Mingo and Cincinnatus, both of whom had returned from a hunt. Adam learned that Daniel and Israel were on an extended hunting expedition in the woods. Along with Colonel Linwood, they had discussed how they would take the British supply boats. It was finally decided that Rebecca would pose as a pirate called "Mad Red O'Bryan", and Adam and Cincinnatus would accompany her with the few soldiers that the young lieutenant had brought with him. Their job was to persuade Joe Snag to join them in this venture although the task would fall primarily to Rebecca. The idea of mentioning the gold sovereigns was intended to entice Joe into what seemed to be an irresistible deal.
In the meantime, Mingo was to spy on the supply boats to gather information in order to know more precisely how to seize them. He would then bring Colonel Linwood and his militia along as reinforcements. Since the militia wasn't coming, he had come a little earlier than expected in order to inform his colleagues of the latest developments.
"At least, we have Joe and his crew," Rebecca said with some relief.
"That's barely enough men," Cincinnatus observed.
"We will have to make do with what we have," Mingo stated. "The boats should be here in three days. They are moving very slowly and cautiously as they proceed down the river. It is my belief that they are expecting an attack."
"Then we'll give them one," Adam said with a smile.
"Don't be so anxious, Adam," Rebecca cautioned him.
"Rebecca, did Joe agree to the terms?" Mingo asked.
Nodding her head, she said, "He did and is most anxious to get to those gold sovereigns."
"Colonel Linwood and I discussed that at length. We agreed upon a plan that should secure every one of those sovereigns for the army," Mingo explained.
"How are we goin' to do that?" Cincinnatus asked.
"I brought with me a cash box containing several hundred pounds. It is concealed not far from here. During the attack, I will exchange the cash boxes and then I will act to ensure that either Joe or a member of his crew locates the proper decoy. Cincinnatus, you will paddle a canoe to the supply boat I am on and then I will pass you the box with the sovereigns while you hand me the other. In the ensuing confusion, you should be able to make it to shore and conceal it before anyone notices you're gone. Then, as soon as it is possible, you should rejoin us," Mingo explained.
"All right," Cincinnatus agreed. "But how are you goin' to find the sovereign cash box?"
"Leave that to me," Mingo said. "Just make a point of looking for me, and be certain you are at the right boat at the right time."
"You know I will," Cincinnatus assured him.
"Losing a few hundred pounds to Joe in exchange for a cash box full of gold sovereigns is an excellent trade. He'll never be the wiser that we switched boxes on him. In his greed, he'll conceal the fact that he has found a cash box and try to keep it all for himself," Adam observed.
"Exactly and that is why Rabbit has a short tail," Mingo stated.
Scrunching his face in confusion, Adam asked, "What does that mean?"
"Adam, do you mean to tell me that you have never heard the Cherokee story which explains why Rabbit has a short tail?" Mingo asked incredulously.
"No," Adam answered honestly.
"Well, dear boy, allow me to relate the tale to you when our business here is concluded. It speaks of greed and how easily one creature may be deluded by another," Mingo said. "One more thing, Rebecca. I believe you and Joe should accompany me upriver tomorrow morning to check on the progress of the supply boats. We will leave at daybreak."
"Good idea, Mingo. Gentlemen, the rest of our planning must include Joe Snag, and it seems he has arrived at a fortuitous time," Rebecca said, waving at Joe to join them.
Unable to hear anything the foursome was discussing because of all the noise Rebecca's crew was making, Joe had decided to walk boldly into their camp and to somehow become privy to their discussion.
"I'm glad you're here, Joe," Rebecca said. "Black Mood has spotted the British supply boats. They should be here in three days. We need to begin our preparations to greet our guests."
The five of them huddled and laid out their plan. That afternoon and the succeeding days the crews would have to practice until near perfection could be achieved.
Night had settled in and Rebecca's crew had done the same. In fact, all of them were in their beds under the stars. Adam had worked them so hard that they had almost fallen asleep at their supper. Walking among the recumbent forms, Rebecca and Mingo talked quietly. When she came upon a sleeping Adam, she crouched and pulled his blanket to his neck, and then brushed the hair from his forehead.
"Rebecca," Mingo said kindly, "what are you doing?"
Rising, she answered matter-of-factly, "I'm checking on my crew."
"And tucking them in?" Mingo asked, smiling.
Grinning, she rubbed her eyes. She was tired too. "I'm sorry, Mingo. I forgot myself. Adam brings out my maternal instincts for some reason. If he knew what I just did, he'd be appalled," Rebecca said as she continued their leisurely stroll through the camp.
"Not as appalled as he is by his pirate name," Mingo observed.
"Oh, please, don't bring that up. I have learned to regret ever calling him that," Rebecca admitted. "I wish I had just used his first name and that would have been the end of it."
At that moment, Adam began to stir and shouted the words 'Get away from me'. He sat up breathing rapidly. Rebecca and Mingo raced to his side. "Adam, what's wrong?" she asked with concern, kneeling beside him and placing a hand on his trembling shoulder.
Covering his face with his hands, Adam shuddered. "I had a nightmare," he explained, his voice cracking and barely above a whisper.
"About battle?" Mingo guessed, knowing how war could imprint a mind with ghastly images that weren't easily shaken.
"No," Adam answered, dropping his hands to his lap. "Not that."
"Then what?" Rebecca asked.
"It was Big Bertha. She was after me," Adam stated, his eyes going wide. "She wanted to...to...to kiss me." He made a face that revealed his total revulsion at the thought of it. "I think I feel sick to my stomach." He clutched at his midsection as fatigue overtook him.
"Adam, lay back down and dream good dreams, like overpowering and defeating a company of Redcoats," Rebecca suggested.
Sleepily, Adam rolled to his side as Rebecca covered him with his blanket. He mumbled something about beating the bloody Lobsterbacks into dust. She noticed that he smiled and knew he was well on his way to dreaming about Redcoats rather than Big Bertha.
Amused, Mingo smirked. "Why does Adam so fear a kiss from this Big Bertha?" he asked while helping Rebecca to her feet.
"Didn't you see her when you arrived?" Rebecca asked incredulously as she and Mingo walked towards her tent.
Mingo shook his head. "No, the only woman I saw was you."
"How could you have missed her?" Rebecca posed. "She's the one I fought with."
"The fight had just concluded when I arrived. I knew you had been involved in it, for your appearance was disheveled and the men were cheering you as their champion. But I had no idea until this moment who your challenger was," Mingo explained.
"She's as tall as you and almost as big. It is my belief that Cincinnatus and Adam think she is so unattractive she'd make a panther shake with fear," Rebecca stated.
"Unattractive? Isn't that polite word for 'ugly'?" Mingo asked as he smiled.
"They said it. I didn't. Anyway, I fought her for the right to Joe Snag and defeated her. He's all mine,"
Rebecca said, crossing her hands at the base of her neck dramatically and leaning her head back slightly.
"Have you been playing up to him?" Mingo asked slyly.
"Only to seal the alliance," Rebecca defended herself. "And that fight had better be worth it. I'm already getting stiff and sore." She laid a hand on her neck and attempted to rub the tightness out of it. "But my reputation as Queen of the Caribbean remains intact."
"Rebecca, you rascal," Mingo teased with his eyes narrowed and a slight shake of his head. "You fought for your reputation and for Joe Snag. Those are noble causes indeed."
"No, I fought her in defense of my person because she attacked me," Rebecca explained. "I think it showed Joe and his crew that we are a force to be reckoned with. Although right now, I am far from being a pillar of strength. I don't know how you and Dan can get involved in these fights all the time and not be affected by them."
"Oh, we are affected, Rebecca," Mingo admitted. "We simply refuse to let on that we are. It is not in the Master Frontiersman's code."
Chuckling, Rebecca stopped at the opened flap of her tent, "My hope is that Big Bertha has learned her lesson and will pick on somebody her own size from now on. If she doesn't, I won't be so gentle next time."
"I am sure she has. I would not think she would want to engage you in a second challenge," Mingo concluded. "She certainly cannot be as stupid as she is unattractive."
Rebecca smiled and then turned her eyes towards the darkened sky. The flicker of lights seemed exceptionally bright in the autumn night. Her thoughts turned towards Daniel and Israel. They were probably still out hunting, camping, and enjoying each other's company. Although she was enjoying playing pirate, she missed them, and wondered if Israel had to care for his father. It seemed that was what happened occasionally when the two of them went off together.
"Thinking about Daniel?" Mingo asked quietly.
She nodded and sat on the log outside of her tent. "And Israel. How did you know?"
"You appeared wistful and I concluded that you must be reflecting on your family," Mingo explained.
Chuckling, Rebecca asked rhetorically, "Who else would I be wistful about? If Dan knew what I was up to, I don't think he'd approve."
"I disagree. I believe he would give his wholehearted consent. After all, who could form an alliance with Joe Snag, the Master Pirate, but you? This task is beyond the capabilities of Cherokee and Sidewinder," Mingo said with a twinkle in his eye.
"And I'm doing it for a just cause; to secure our liberties," Rebecca stated, sounding patriotic.
"So how could Daniel disapprove of that? It would have practically been dishonorable not to have accepted this assignment," Mingo pointed out.
"Be that as it may, I won't tell Dan about this for awhile," Rebecca informed him.
"Rebecca, it's not like you to keep secrets from him. Doing so might make him lose all trust and faith in you," Mingo said playfully.
"It'd take more than that...I hope," Rebecca said.
There was a quiet moment before Mingo spoke. "What do you think of Captain Joe Snag?" he prodded, purposely changing the subject as he sat opposite her on the ground.
"He's exactly what you and Dan said he would be; charming, daring, and greedy," Rebecca answered.
"You appeal to him. He seems captivated and entranced by you," Mingo said. "I noticed the way he looked at you when we were discussing the plan to seize the supply boats."
"All part of the plan, Mingo," Rebecca explained. "No more and no less."
"Can you handle him?" Mingo asked. "If he decides to be more than flirtatious?"
"I'm surprised you asked such question. Am I not Mad Red O'Bryan, Queen of the Caribbean? Can I not handle anything?" Rebecca said angrily as she leapt to her feet to tower over his seated form. "Even the hurricane knows to desist when I sail into it. A squall becomes a mist in my presence. My ship is never hopelessly becalmed because the wind dare not cease to blow. I ought to clout you for suggesting that I am weak and incapable." Her voice became harsher and sterner the more she spoke. "You have a way of always painting everything black and dark, because that's the way you see the world. Well, I don't. There are things called rainbows, Black Mood. Colorful, bright, and beautiful, they are. You can find them if you look for them, and I found one in Joe Snag."
Mingo sat facing her, wondering if she gone completely out of her mind. Did she just decide to act on her name or was it something else? And what was she talking about?
"Joe, welcome to my camp," Rebecca said pleasantly as he walked to her side.
Now Mingo knew the reason for the act and would play along if he knew what part he was to play. He looked for a hint or a suggestion from Rebecca as to what he should do.
"Black Mood was just leaving. As usual, he insulted me," Rebecca explained.
"I insulted you? I?" Mingo said stricken as he rose to his feet.
"Don't act innocently, Black Mood. I see that you're in one of your black and dark moods and I don't wish to be around it. Why don't you go down to the river? Being near water usually lightens your perspective," Rebecca suggested.
Trying to look as gloomy and glum as he could, Mingo slowly turned and walked away from the pair without saying a word. When he had walked out of sight from the camp and knew he was far enough away, he broke into laughter. Rebecca was very adept in her role as a pirate. Perhaps, too adept. She might only reluctantly relinquish the role when the time came.
He decided to return to camp without Rebecca or Joe knowing and get some sleep himself. Tomorrow morning would come all too soon and he wanted to be well rested when they went to spy on the British supply boats.
Meanwhile, Rebecca had asked Joe to join her on the log. He sat so close to her that only an inch of space separated them.
"Something wrong with Black Mood Murray?" Joe asked out of curiosity, not concern.
"Oh, he's gone into one of his black and dark moods. He's lost his heart to his one and only true love, a blond-haired woman, who is far across the Atlantic sea, in England. When he's lonesome for her, he becomes depressed and is insulting," Rebecca explained. Mingo's cover story of grieving over a lost love was agreed to prior to their departure on this mission. She added the description of Mingo's lost love to add plausibility to Mingo's sudden and erratic mood swings. "It's best for him go off by himself for awhile. He'll be over that mood in the morning."
"Is that why he is called 'Black Mood' Murray?" Joe asked.
"That's why," Rebecca confirmed.
"You seem to surround yourself with men who have trouble with women. First it was Baby Face and now, Black Mood Murray," Joe observed.
"I suppose I do. I hadn't thought of it that way. Of course, it seems men always have trouble with women," Rebecca said. "It isn't hard to find that type." She then yawned several times. "I'm sorry, Joe, but I am extremely tired. I think I'll turn in now. I'll see you in the morning," she said as she rose.
"At dawn, I'll meet you right here," Joe concurred with a smile as he came to stand beside Rebecca. He puckered his lips and bent his head to kiss her on the mouth. Rebecca prayed for an escape from this unforeseen predicament.
At that moment, Adam came charging towards them screaming like a banshee and waving his arms madly. "She's after me! Sound the alarm! She's right on my heels! Turn out, boys! Shoot her bloody Lobsterback lips off! Do it quickly! She's almost on me!"
Rebecca and Joe immediately turned their attention towards the terrified youth. Joe was somewhat angry that Adam had interrupted the passionate moment that had spontaneously arisen. There would be another time he decided. He would make another time.
Just as Adam passed Rebecca, she reached out and grabbed his arm and that brought him to a halt. Then she swung him towards her and slapped him. His eyes cleared and she knew he wasn't dreaming anymore, but he was still in a stupor. "Baby Face, you have succeeded in disrupting the entire camp," Rebecca berated him. "I'll let it go this time, but if you do that again, I won't be so lenient with you."
"Yes, ma'am," Adam said as he tried to understand what he was doing standing in front of Rebecca's tent in the middle of the night.
Cincinnatus drew alongside of Adam. "You all right, boy?" he asked. "You made enough commotion to wake the dead."
"I think so. Am I, Red?" Adam prodded, scratching the side of his head.
"He's fine, Graybeard. He just gave everybody a fright. Take him back to his bed and don't let him disturb the crew's sleep. They deserve a peaceful and restful slumber without Baby Face shouting in the dead of night because he's having a nightmare," Rebecca said.
"I'll see to it, Red," Cincinnatus affirmed. "Come on, Baby Face. I'm goin' to bind and gag you. Tarnation, boy, I'm an old man who needs his sleep." He led the soporific young man to his bed.
"You'll keep her away from me, won't you, Graybeard?" Adam pleaded.
"Sure, boy, we'll train all the cannons on her," Cincinnatus said.
"Load them with grapeshot," Adam suggested. "We'll be sure to hit her that way."
Trying not to smile at the departing pair, Rebecca turned her attention back to the Master Pirate. "Good night, Joe. I'll be seeing you in the morning," she said and then turned and entered her tent, closing the flap behind her.
Joe cursed the seven seas for his bad luck. Before she had disappeared into the tent, he was seconds from anchoring his own lips on those of the fine and beautiful redhead's. Being thwarted twice in such a short span was enough to make the normally affable master river pirate irate. A disappointed Joe left Rebecca's camp, but his thoughts were never far from her.
At dawn, Joe, Rebecca, and Mingo made their way upriver by canoe. Joe was at the bow with Rebecca amidships and Mingo aft. The men paddled while Rebecca used Joe's telescope to scout for the British boats. It was mid-afternoon when they went ashore for a break, having seen no sign of their quarry. They pulled the canoe into a thicket and covered it with branches. Then they climbed a tall hill to survey the river.
All three were breathing heavily by the time they reached the top of the hill, but the effort was well worth it as Joe spotted the supply boats with his telescope. "Looks like they picked up some company," he said. "There are four canoes and rowboats surrounding the supply boats. All of them loaded with Redcoats." Joe passed the telescope to Rebecca and who, after she concluded her viewing, she gave it to Mingo. He brought it to his eye and saw that Joe was indeed correct.
"Twelve Redcoats in the canoes or rowboats and fourteen total on the supply boats," Mingo said. "That makes the odds almost one to one."
"I thought you said the Redcoats were heavily armed?" Joe asked.
"You don't consider twenty-six Redcoats with muskets heavily armed?" Rebecca prodded.
Laughing, Joe slapped his leg. "No, not when half of those rifles will misfire. Taking those boats is going to be easier than pouring a mug of ale."
"How do you know they will misfire, Captain?" Mingo asked.
"Black Mood, is your education so lacking that you don't know that British muskets are notorious for misfiring?" Joe asked incredulously.
"As a matter of fact, I was aware of that fact. But that will not prevent them from using the bayonets," Mingo pointed out.
"Those do have a bite, but no matter. We'll work around them," Joe said with confidence.
"What do you mean, Joe?" Rebecca asked.
"Let's just say that we're going to net a few Redcoats," Joe said as his eyes gleamed in anticipation. "I'll demonstrate tomorrow. Let's get back to camp."
As they turned to leave, they found themselves surrounded by six redcoats led by a sergeant. "I would say," the sergeant said to them, pointing his rifle in their direction, "that the Redcoats have netted a few..." The sergeant looked the trio over and decided on the term that best suited them. "Pirates," he said. "Pirates intent on stealing what's in those supply boats, I bet. That's a hanging offense. The lieutenant is not going to be pleased. No, sir, not pleased at all when he hears about this."
"Supply boats?" Joe asked innocently. "Is that what's sailing down the river?"
"As if you didn't know. Drop your weapons to ground," the sergeant ordered. The threesome complied and a few soldiers collected them. "I heard enough of what you said, Joe," the sergeant said emphasizing the master pirate's name.
Joe's eyebrows and head jumped in surprise. "How do you know my name?" he asked.
"I heard her say it," the sergeant replied, pointing his bayonet towards Rebecca. "What is the rest of your name?"
Thrusting out his chest in a show of bravado, Joe threw an arm around Rebecca. "I am Joe Priest and this here is my wife, Red. That feller there," Joe said as he pointed towards Mingo, "is my wife's brother." The sergeant looked from Rebecca to Mingo as if trying to see the family resemblance. Joe began to chuckle at his confusion. "I know he ain't much to look at. You see, Red got all the brains and beauty in the family, and there wasn't anything left for her brother."
Ignoring most of Joe's remarks, the sergeant stayed on the topic that most interested him. "You say your name is Joe Priest? Are you sure you aren't a pirate by the name of Joe Snag? We know he operates in this area. Could these other two be members of you gang, Joe Snag? They are dressed right for pirates."
Joe snickered and addressed Rebecca. "Did you hear that, my charming wife? The good sergeant thinks I'm the infamous Joe Snag. I told you this might happen when you and your brother insisted on dressing like pirates in the hopes of being accepted and not harassed by the good Captain Snag." Squeezing Rebecca's shoulder, Joe added a wink, and then turned his attention back to the Sergeant. "My wife and I are searching for a place to settle down with our passel of young 'uns, Sergeant. This area seemed fitting enough until now. We figured if Joe Snag stuck to his business and us to ours we could make a go of eking out a living here." Looking back at Rebecca, Joe said, "We better keep looking, dear. Between this Joe Snag feller and the Redcoats, we won't know a day of peace. If you'll excuse us, Sergeant, we'll be on our way."
Raising his rifle higher, the sergeant said, "Mr. Priest, if that's you're real name, I believe you to be a liar. I have suspicions that all of you were going to make an attempt to steal the supply boats. I'll let the lieutenant sort this out. Consider yourselves under arrest and in the hospitable custody of the British Army."
"Sergeant, my husband is not a liar," Rebecca said with all honesty while still being deceitful as she knew the sergeant regarded Joe as her husband. "You are imprisoning us unjustly. We are merely traveling through here. Please, let us go so that we may return to our children who are waiting for us back at our camp. They will become very worried if we are delayed." The "children" Rebecca was thinking of were as her and Joe's crew.
"You are going to meet with the lieutenant. Let's get them to the boat," the sergeant ordered his men.
"Now, all of you just hold on here," Rebecca said to the lieutenant and his men, her temper rising. "You can't simply take us prisoners when we're honest loyalists to the crown. We do not want your boats or want to have anything to do with you. I demand that you free us immediately." Approaching the lieutenant, Rebecca poked her index finger into his chest. "This absurdity must end. Let us go in peace and we will forget your bad manners and this whole unfortunate affair."
"I cannot do that, ma'am," the sergeant said politely. "Like I said, the lieutenant will decide your fate."
"You are an uncommon coward, Sergeant," Rebecca said sternly, her words having a chilling effect on the sergeant who bristled at the remark. "Have you no shame, sir? To take us into custody is a grave miscarriage of justice, of which, there will be serious repercussions. Let there be no misunderstanding between us; you will pay."
"Are you threatening His Majesty's soldier?" the sergeant asked.
"No, Sergeant. Consider it a solemn promise," Rebecca stated, her blue eyes piercing to his soul.
"May I say something here?" Mingo asked, coming to stand beside Rebecca.
"No," Rebecca answered.
"Red, you are not helping the situation," Mingo argued quietly. "Can you not see that this fine fellow has a duty? Perhaps, I might be able to reason with him in a less temperamental way. A calm discussion could prove more persuasive," Mingo suggested.
"The lot of you can reason with the lieutenant," the sergeant blurted out. "To the boat with them, men."
The trio reluctantly allowed themselves to be led by the Redcoats to the river's edge. Rebecca had hoped that her appeal would free them, but the sergeant was insistent on them being dispatched to the lieutenant to face his judgment.
The sergeant ordered the threesome into the rowboat that he had signaled to come to shore. Then he and another soldier rowed them to the supply boat where the lieutenant waited on deck. The rest of the sergeant's men proceeded to search the woods for accomplices.
A rope from the rowboat was thrown to a poleman who caught it and held it fast as the sergeant came aboard and went to stand before the lieutenant. He came to attention and saluted smartly. "Lieutenant, I found these people on the bluff overlooking the river. The older man spoke of capturing Redcoats. I brought them to you for interrogation."
"Bring them aboard, Sergeant," the lieutenant ordered.
"Yes, sir," the sergeant replied and saw that his prisoners were removed from the rowboat.
The trio soon stood side by side before the lieutenant. "Return to shore, Sergeant. Lowell and Crivens, tie them," the lieutenant ordered as the sergeant and the other two soldiers quickly did as they were told. "Who are you people?" The lieutenant asked them.
"I am Joe Priest. This is my wife. And her brother. As I told your sergeant we were passing through here looking for a place to settle with our young 'uns," Joe said, as his hands were being tied behind his back, sticking to the story he had told the sergeant.
"And as you pass through you were just going to capture a few Redcoats for the fun of it?" the lieutenant asked.
Chuckling, Joe replied. "That was just a joke your sergeant overheard and mistook for a threat."
"Make no mistake about this. You will remain prisoners until these boats are delivered safely to Fort Hood. If you have companions and they choose to attack this fleet, your lives will be immediately forfeited," the lieutenant told them. "I don't think you were joking, Mr. Priest. Your story is preposterous. You have a sinister plot brewing I'm sure of it. You are in the middle of nowhere. Certainly, not in country where any normal person would consider raising a family. Admit to your crime now and I will consider granting mercy on your most pitiful life."
"Lieutenant, all we want is a piece of land to call our own so that we can raise our young 'uns. We like room and lots of it. That's why we were considering this area," Rebecca explained. "We wish only to be on our way. We promise not to bother you any further."
"Impossible, Mrs. Priest, but I will force the truth from one of you," the lieutenant threatened, training his eyes on Rebecca.
"Lieutenant." Mingo's hands were tied behind his back as were Rebecca's. A touch of panic entered his voice. "At least, free my sister. Certainly, you do not want to hold a woman captive."
"As long as I hold her I think you and Mr. Priest will be cooperative," the lieutenant answered.
"Lieutenant," a soldier called from the bow of the boat. "I've spotted something ahead."
"Lowell, confine them in the housing. Tie them down in it. I don't want them moving around. And one more thing, shoot the woman at the first hint of trouble on their part or an attack to our boats," the lieutenant ordered, racing to the bow.
Hesitating before he replied, Lowell gulped. It was clear he was not fully prepared to carry out the lieutenant's last order. "Yes, sir," he finally said, leading the trio to the housing. "Give me a hand, Crivens."
While holding a rifle, Lowell watched as Crivens secured the trios legs inside the boat housing. Not one objected or made any trouble for the two soldiers. When Crivens was done, the soldiers left and Lowell stood outside the open doorway determined to carry out the lieutenant's order.
"Now what do we do?" Joe asked in a whisper. He sat near the doorway and at a ninety-degree angle from Rebecca.
"Nothing," Rebecca said, speaking quietly from on top of the trunk she was sitting on. "We're right where we need to be."
"What do you mean?" Joe prodded.
"When our crews attack, they will free us and we'll seize the boats," Rebecca said.
"Are you not forgetting something, Red?" Mingo asked, sitting next to Rebecca on a pile of blankets. "Private Lowell has orders to shoot you first, and tied up as we are there is no way Joe or I can stop that."
"That boy shoot me? I don't believe it. Didn't you see how he trembled when the lieutenant ordered it?" Rebecca retorted.
"No, no, Black Mood is right," Joe stated. "If that soldier doesn't do it then the lieutenant himself will. 'Force a confession', he said."
"Worried, Joe? I won't talk," Rebecca assured him.
"If the lieutenant doesn't force a confession, we'll still have to work ourselves out of these ropes before our crews do attack. The attack will put your precious life at risk, my dear," Joe pointed out.
"That's very kind of you, Joe, but we should just wait this one out. At their present pace, the boats should arrive at the point of attack by late tomorrow afternoon," Rebecca calculated quickly. "I'm sure an opportunity will present itself that will allow me to keep my pretty little redhead intact."
Later that day, the lieutenant entered the housing to find the trio in their trussed-up positions. They eyed him suspiciously. "My lookouts are jumpy today. Every time they see a ripple in the water, they think we've come under attack. Your presence has heightened their alertness, but has slowed our progress significantly. I will learn the truth," the lieutenant said. "No more games. I want to know how many are in your gang; when, where, and how you plan or had planned to attack. You will tell me now." Withdrawing his sword, the lieutenant placed it across Rebecca's neck. "Start talking or I will slowly cut her throat."
"Get that weapon away from my wife," Joe said sternly. "We told you the truth."
"What you told me was a lie. Tell me the real truth," the lieutenant said, applying pressure on the sword until it pulled at Rebecca's skin.
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