Chapter 4

The wind blew well that evening and throughout the rest of the night, we had all the sails unfurled and the wind filled them well. We made good headway and crossed the Bristol Channel in good time. The channel was a wet and wild place, and throughout the night, we were hit by several squalls and it rained none stop.

The deck was soaked, and it made walking on them very dangerous, most of the crew stayed below decks unless they were on watch. Some of the younger and less experienced guys were suffering from bad cases of seasickness and the older lads made fun of them. It was something that had never bothered me, I had taken to life onboard my first ship like a duck to water.

When my watch was called from their bunks, I was sent below to work on the pumps. The bilges were full after a rough night at sea. Four of us pumped as hard as we could for three hours before we were relieved. I went into the galley and ate before I went up on deck, James was helping to scrub the deck, he shot me wave as I walked past. Dan Tredway was at the bow supervising a repair on the bowsprit. Men were cutting away old ropes and netting. The squalls had done some damage that was for sure.

It would take some time to fix the rigging but to be fair we had come through it unscathed.

We passed the island of Lundy, but it was shrouded in fog and we could see little of it but its outline. It was only the good seamanship of the captain that stopped us going aground. The channel was notorious for sandbanks and the captain had men stationed at the front of the ship looking out for any dangers.

As we neared the coast, the sun came out and the rains died down. Dan Tredway and the bosun did a tour of the ship and made sure that we were all working hard and that the ship was still in one piece. The captain was also on deck, pacing back and forth.

Our first stop, once we had made it to the coast, was a place called Boscastle and that was great news as it meant we were getting nearer and nearer to my home. We anchored up just off the coast and loaded some cargo into one of the boats and I helped row it ashore. James came as well, his job as galley boy meant he had to go ashore and try to obtain fresh food for the captain and officers.

We carried the cargo up to a trader’s storehouse where Dan Tredway and the purser haggled with him to secure a good price. Once that was all done, we took James to a grocery shop and he bought the fresh goods for the captain’s table. It was a nice little village, with a pleasant-looking Inn that I would like to have tried out, but we had to get back the ship sharpish.

We rowed back to the ship and were soon on our way to our next destination, over the next few days we hugged the coast of Kernow visiting Port Isaac, where we saw men singing sea shanties for money. We sailed around Pentire Point, past the village of Polzeath, and into the mouth of the estuary of the River Camel We sailed past the mighty doom bar sandbank just outside the village of rock; Dan told me it was common for ships to go aground on it. We traded in the ports of Rock and Padstow before we sailed back up the estuary and out to sea. We sailed around Trevose head and kept heading southwards.

We sailed into the Harbour at Newquay and I was tempted to leave the ship there, but I had promised Dan Tredway that James and I would stay with them until they got to St Ive’s.

The routine was pretty much the same at every place we docked or anchored up. We unloaded some of the cargo, took it ashore and Tredway and the purser sold it, sometimes they would buy other stuff to sell on in other towns. In some places, we were paid to carry stuff to other merchants.

So, over the next few days we travelled the coast, from Newquay we went to Porthtowan, Portrea and then one sunny morning we sailed into St Ives. I stood on deck as we docked in the outer harbour. It was good to see the old town again. It was all hustle and bustle as usual, with fishermen and traders working all along the docks wall.

I wondered if I would be known by anyone in the town if anyone would recognise me.

After a few minutes, I realised that Dan Tredway was standing beside me.

“We should be unloaded by tomorrow morning,” he said with a smile.

“That’s good” I replied. “But you know I will be leaving the ship after that”

“Yes, it’s a shame you would make a good addition to our crew John,” he said and slapped me on the back., “ we are looking for good officers and you would earn good money!”

We had become good friends and I knew he wanted me to sail with them. He had been promised a ship of his own in Henry Morgan’s fleet and he needed to find some good officers and crew. As tempting as it was, I had a job to do, perhaps after that was done, I would search him out and take him up on his offer.

The sea had been my home for so many years it always called to me, and I knew that one day I would be drawn back to it, either as an officer on someone ship or perhaps as master of my own vessel.

“I have a job to do and that comes first,” I said turning to him. I had confided in Dan and told him my story and he knew I was eager to reclaim my estate.

“I know John and I wish you well with that!” he said, “but be careful, from what you said this Jacobs fellow has many friends and a mean streak!”

“Trust me; I have a mean streak as wide as the Bristol Channel” I replied while gazing out to the harbour.

We both laughed and he left me to my thoughts.

I spent the next few hours helping to operate the winches that were being used to lift the cargo out of the ships hold and swing it onto the dock. It was hard, backbreaking work and when we had finished I took a turn under the ships water pump to wash off the sweat and the grim. Some of the men went for a swim in the warm blue waters around the ship.

We ate well that night, as we always did when we were in port. The cook had fresh ingredients to work with and he cooked up a feast for us. We washed it down with water as the captain banned booze on the ship, except for medical use and for the officers of course.

The gentle rocking of the ship sent me to sleep easily that night. The morning brought the sun and the smell of porridge. I ate breakfast with the rest of my watch; it would be my last meal with them. After breakfast, I knew the ship would be heading back toward Ireland, but James and I would not be on it.

As we ate they offered me good wishes and advice, they had become good friends over the time I had been aboard the Morgan. After eating, James and I packed up our meagre possessions and headed onto the deck.

Dan Tredway met me and asked me to follow him into the captain’s cabin. The old man was sitting at his chart table but stood up when we can in.

I had had little to do with him during the voyage, and less than a dozen words had ever been exchanged between us during my short time on board his ship. He always seemed to be a grumpy old git but at the same time, I found him a good sailor and fair man. He was obviously a good trader and had a good reputation.

“Well john you leave us today I believe and there is no way we can persuade you to sail with us?” he said. “From what I have seen and heard you’re a top-class sailor and we could do with you onboard”

“No sir, thank you kindly but I have to get back to my father’s estate and reclaim it” I replied. I always wondered when I told people my story if ty believed me or just thought I was some sort of mad man telling a tall tale.

“Yes, I have been told of your story,” he said gruffly, “it is bad business and that is for sure, are you sure I can’t change your mind?”

“No sir, that you can’t I am, afraid” I replied as politely as I could, I didn’t have a cause or need to be gruff with the old man and you never know I might need his help again someday.

“Then I wish you well in your endeavours!” he said, “I hope this gift will help with that”

He passed me a pistol and bag with powder and shot in it. It was a generous gift indeed.

“Thank you, captain,” I said as I weighed the gun in my hand. It was a fine piece, and I was sure it would get some work over the next few weeks.

“Use it wisely young man,” he said as he returned to his charts. I put the gun and its workings in my duffel bag and bid him farewell. He grunted his reply and gave me a languid wave goodbye.

Dan led me back onto the deck and as we approached the gangway, he passed me a small bag of coins.

“That’s your pay for the voyage John, “he said as he passed it to me.

“But I was working my passage...” I started to say but he interrupted me

“You worked hard, and you deserve that silver,” He said with a smile and sage nod of the head.

He also gave James some silver coins in a small bag and shook his hand.

“James take care young man,” he said, “and from now on stay on dry land”

Then he turned to me, we shook hands and he promised to look for me should they ever come to my part of Cornwall. I walked down the gangway and after a brief look back at the ship I head into the small town followed by James.

We walked up the hill out of the town and we got to the top we turned and looked down into the harbour. The Morgan was already getting ready to set sail, and as we watched her, sails unfurled.

We both watched as the ship that has brought us home sailed out of the harbour and headed north. It was sad to see her go, we had made some good friends on board, but James was eager to see his family and I was eager to catch up with Jacobs and his mates.

We turned away from the sea and headed inland. James lived in a village to the north of St Ives in a place called Hayle. I had never been there, but James told me it was one of the nicest places on earth.

We walked for two hours up a long winding road, until we came to a fork. There was an Inn that stood between the two roads. One road led south, and that was where James was going and the other led east, toward my side of Kernow. The height of the sun told me it was nearly lunchtime.

“James, shall we have a pot of ale before we go our different ways,” I said as we approached the Inn

“That would be grand John!” he said, “and I am buying”

We went inside and took a table by a window; the Inn’s proprietor came over; he was an old boy with a drinker’s nose. He told us what was on offer and took our order. We ordered pots of ale and ham sandwiches. It took less than ten minutes for the food and drink to arrive. The place was almost empty, just us and two old boys propping up the bar and chatting about livestock prices.

We ate in silence; it seemed that we had been mates through thick and thin for what seemed like a long time. The afternoon sun was burning high in the sky by the time we emptied our ale pots.

The old proprietor came over to clear our table.

“Was that all okay for you gents?” he asked, with a toothless grin.

“It was Sir,” we both agreed.

“Can I fetch you more ale Gents?” he inquired in a friendly way.

“No landlord, I think it’s time we made a move,” I said standing up

“Well it’s a nice afternoon for a walk that’s for sure,” he laughed,

“What do I owe you?” I asked but James interrupted me

“Hey John, it’s my shout, “and he took out his silver coins and paid the man.

“So where are you headed off too now gents?” he inquired.

“I am off to St Austell and my friend here is off home to Hayle,” I told him

“The young man’s off to Hayle you say?” the landlord enquired

“Yes Sir, Hayle, its where I am from,” James told him proudly.

“Well young sir let me offer you some advice, “said the old man, “there have been some reports of roughnecks and footpads on that road, there have been robberies and worse, best you do not travel alone”

“I will be fine; I can look after myself” James retorted. He seemed to have taken the landlords words as an affront to his manhood.

“There is a gang of villains, five or more I have been told, “ said the landlord, “ and if they see you with a bag of coins they shall take them off thee by hook or by crook!”

And with that, he was gone, called to the bar by the two old soaks. We walked out of the Inn into the late afternoon sun.

“James I will take you home before I head back to St Austell,” I said firmly.

“John it is fine I can handle myself,” he said, but his pride dented somewhat I felt.

“Now I tell you, James, I insist “and the tone of my voice must have made him realise I was not taking no for an answer.

“But won’t it take you out of your way,” he asked.

“No, it’s fine, I would rather know that you were safe and sound back at your family’s farm,” I said and that was that.

We walked the road all that afternoon and saw no one, no other travellers, and no gang of villains. The walk took us just over two hours and we arrived at the family farm late that afternoon.

To say it was a farm was a kind thing to do, they had a cottage, a couple of outbuildings and barn. A few chickens were wandering around, pecking at the soil in the yard as we entered it.

As we approached, a pack of four of five dogs ran at us, and the quiet afternoon was soon filled with their barks. James knew them all by name, and he was as happy to see them, as they were to see him.

The noise of the dogs brought people for the cottage, first two lads younger than James ran out to meet us, they were very excited to see their brother, and there was a lot of shouting and squealing.

They were soon joined by James’s father who I found out was also called James, he looked like a farmer through and through, from his weather-beaten skin to his clothes. Soon after his mother who I was told was called Gertrude came out to see what all the fuss was about.

She was overjoyed to see her boy safe and well, she smothered him kisses and hugged me for delivering him home safe and sound.

Introductions where done and hugs, kisses and handshakes were exchanged.

We were taken into the house and we were served glasses of milk and warm biscuits fresh from the oven. James’s mother was a great cook that was for sure. They asked him all about his adventures and he told them with great gusto about the ship being holed and how we had taken the little boat to Ireland. The family all sat around with bated breath as he told them about our time in Ireland, and how we had sailed down the coast to get home.

I thanked the Lord God he left out the bit about the fight with the Pugh boys. We all sat at the tiny kitchen table and nattered for about an hour before his father said he had to go and bed some livestock down for the night. James and his brothers went with him; I sat in the kitchen and chatted to Gertrude as she prepared supper.

She told me they rented thirty acres of land from a local property owner, and that they kept some sheep, pigs, and cows, as well as some chickens. It seemed they scrapped a livelihood together. To be fair they seemed happy with their lot and that was all that mattered I guess.

Gertrude told me that her daughter, James’s older sister Mary, would be home soon. She worked in a dairy at a local farm, a farm that was much bigger than theirs was. She made cheese and butter all day it seemed.

She asked me about my life and family, I had to be cagey as I was unsure of how much to tell her and whilst we chatted she cooked up a storm. There was a chicken roasting over an open fire, a big pan of lamb stew, and a pie that I found out later was made from rabbits that the two younger boys had trapped that week. The smells of the kitchen had my stomach rumbling and my mouth-watering.

It was a feast fit for a king. James came back an hour or so later, with his dad and his siblings including Mary. Now trust me Mary was a welcome sight and no mistake; I would say she was late teens or early twenties, and she had the look of a country girl. She was all hips, bum, and boobs. She had a cute smile; rosy cheeks and her hair was in a ponytail.

She made a fuss of James and gave me a few curious looks but we didn’t have time to chat for as soon as the gaggle of kids were back they and their father were sent to get washed up before supper.

We ate supper in the cottages front room. The food was amazing. Gertrude was a truly amazing cook.

It was nice to be part of the family, listening to them chatter and bicker. They were great company indeed. Eventually, the younger kids were sent off to their beds, and after a few moans and groans, they did as they were told. An hour later James and Mary were sent off to bed, I shook hands with James and Mary gave me a peck on the cheek. James made me promise not to leave before breakfast.

James Snr offered me a pipe full of tobacco, which I accepted and then he offered me a tot of rum and that I did accept gratefully. We sat on the front step and watched the sunset. As we did so Gertrude tidied up the dinner things, I did offer to help her, but she would have none of it.

When she had finished she came and sat with us and she also took a tot of rum.

“Well we have a little problem tonight, John,” she said as she settled down next to her husband.

“What’s that Mrs?” I asked I was worried that James had said more than he should have when I was not around.

“Well we only have a small house and with all the kids around there is nowhere for you to sleep”