HF - 01 - Caribee (6 page)

'Holloa,' he shouted. 'Holloa.'

They reined, and turned their heads, this way and that. The leader wore a tall hat and a long cloak, in dark brown, and his boots were of a similar colour. As no doubt would be his doublet beneath, for Edward had recognized him.

'Uncle John,' he shouted, floundering through the snow. 'Uncle John.'

John Winthrop smiled. He had uncommonly tight lips, and wore his beard longer than was fashionable, so that the lower half of his face seemed to drop away when his features relaxed. 'Edward.' The smile faded into a frown. 'You're too far from the house, in this weather.'

‘It
is good to be out of doors, sir. But I'd beg a ride home.'

Winthrop extended his arm. 'Get up here, then. You'll have met my godson, my lord?'

The other man nodded. 'When he was a babe, Mr Winthrop. I doubt he remembers me.'

Edward gaped. Now that the stranger's cloak had swung open it was easy enough to tell that he belonged to the nobility; there was a great deal of velvet and lace under there.

'The Earl of Warwick, Edward.'

'My lord.' Edward hastily raised his hat.

"You're a fine lad, Edward,' Rich said. 'We seek your father.'

'He is out for strays,' Edward said. 'But if you'll visit the house, I'm sure Aunt Jane will make you welcome.'

'We'll do that, Mr Winthrop,' Rich decided. 'Jane Warner's mulled wine is the best I've tasted. Just the thing for a day like this. And God knows we need some cheer.' He kicked his horse and sent it ahead, wisps of snow flying from its hooves.

'A grim man, Uncle John,' Edward whispered.

'Tis the tide, not the man, Ned,' Winthrop remarked. 'Only grim men can survive the overheated air in Whitehall, these days.'

The fire blazed in the hearth, and gave a tremendous glow to the huge room; its heat even managed to reach the far corners, and although it was only the middle of the afternoon, the flickering flames sent shadows crawling up the walls and racing across the ceiling. After all, the farm was that much more comfortable than the Tower.

Philip rode his cock horse to and fro, before the blaze, singing to himself in a high-pitched voice. The men seemed not to mind. At the back of the room, Mama and Aunt Jane and Mother Elizabeth sewed industriously, every now and again raising their eyes to smile at each other, for all the gravity of the men's talk. The table had been cleared of the remains of the side of mu
tt
on, of the capons and the tarts, of the ale, and in their places Berwicke poured the wine, and saw that it remained at a suitable temperature, while the scent of the spices filled the room. Edward chose to stay close to the table, for he had been allowed but a single mug and hoped for more; the entire day had become warm and friendly. And besides, from here, si
tt
ing next to the carved oaken legs, he could watch and listen to the men, without their apparently being aware of it.

Certainly they seemed to have much to discuss. The Earl of Warwick might pretend that as he was in any event on a visit to his Suffolk estates he had thought the moment opportune to visit his old friends, but no one could doubt that he had more on his mind than the festive season. Even Uncle Edward, who had grown uncommonly stout and seldom allowed much to disturb him—it had been his ca
tt
le gone astray during the blizzard, but it had been Father who had spent the sleepless nights—was looking grave as he sipped his wine. On this occasion, remarkably, Father looked the most calm, although he remained standing, an empty pipe in his hand; he used it more for punctuating his sentences than for smoking. Mr. Winthrop, seated by the table, his long legs thrust out towards the fire, to cause the steam still to rise from
his
boots, also looked tranquil enough; but then, this was his manner and his character. Not so the earl, who moved, restlessly, to and fro, only stopping to allow Philip to navigate between and around his legs.

‘I
but spoke my mind,' Tom Warner said. 'There's no treason when done to his face. He'd not find a witness against me for any other ma
tt
er in this entire country.'

'As if he needs witnesses,' Rich said. 'Tom, you're a trusting man. You know your own honour, and you assume all others possess the same. Tis remembered your mother was a Jerningham.'

'Be
tt
er quality than the Warners, and ever faithful to the throne,' Uncle Edward declared.

'Too faithful, Mr Warner. Did not old Tom Jerningham raise these parts in support of Bloody Mary?'

‘In
support of his rightful queen, my lord.'

'Undoubtedly. But she was a papist. As was he.'

'All of seventy years ago, my lord. Since then all loyal men have changed their opinions.'

'Which were a worthless statement to His Majesty. I beseech you, Tom, take heed of my words. I know not why I trouble myself, and here I speak the truth. You have ever been a wayward soul. Had you but conducted yourself as a courtier when I gave you the chance, you might have had a title by now.' 'My lord ...'

Warwick held up his hand.
‘I
criticize in a carping spirit, Tom. The man in me honours your recalcitrance. The friend in me bemoans it. Shall I tell you why you are yet at liberty? It is just because you have nothing worth taking. Buckingham and his family have li
tt
le interest in any criminal, even, be he not possessed of a thousand a year. Yet your name crops up at court, too often.'

Then you risk yourself, my lord, in coming out here,' Edward Warner observed.

'Saving that no one outside this room knows that I am here, Mr Warner, which is exactly why I made my visit in this manner. But I care li
tt
le for myself, in this ma
tt
er. For good or ill, Tom has been my friend for twenty years. I would he thought enough of me to take my advice.'

'Which would ber" Tom demanded.

Warwick sighed, and shuffled his feet once again, and glanced at Winthrop.

'You'll remember John Carver, Tom?"

‘I
remember his name. Did he not flee to Holland to avoid the hangman?
’

Winthrop nodded. 'Leyden. With many others of his belief.'

'Puritans,' Edward Warner mu
tt
ered.

Their numbers grow, daily. And not all take themselves to Holland.'

‘I
do believe you're one yourself, at heart, John,' Tom smiled.

‘I
believe in liberty of conscience, Tom. And so do you. As for the other, the worship of God is too precious a possession to be submerged beneath acres of incense and stained glass, to be managed by men who think more of the burden on their table than the burden on their souls.'

'Mr Winthrop,' Warwick said.
‘I
did not come this distance for a religious dissertation, sir. Indeed, I shall pretend I heard not one of your words, and will be obliged if you would start again. But if I may give you a word of advice, as a friend, even Christ prescribed that a man should render unto Caesar what is his. So do you a
tt
end the church on a Sunday, and for the rest of the week believe what you will'

Winthrop's turn to sigh. 'Yes, my lord. I did not mean to embarrass you. The fact is, Tom, Carver and his associates would leave Holland. They fear that they will become Hollanders themselves, and all appearances to the contrary, he is as loyal an Englishman as yourself. And besides, this dreadful war in Germany comes too close, with Spinola on the march. Carver has obtained a grant of lands in north America.'

'Virginia,' Tom said, with contempt to equal his brother's.

'Not so. Farther north.'

The man's a fool. If Raleigh with all his experience could not make a success of the Virginia colony, where will Carver make a success of a less hospitable clime? And there is not the slightest chance of his discovering gold there.'

'He does not seek gold,' Winthrop observed, patiently. 'Nor even wealth. He seeks a place a man may live, and be healthy, and worship God as he chooses, begging your pardon, my lord.'

'And you'd invite me to ship with a Puritan? John, did I not know you so well I'd take offence'

'He has need of fighting men,' Winthrop observed mildly. 'You'll have met John Smith?'

'An adventurer'

'A good man to have at your side, in a set to. But Smith has none of your experience, Tom. Now hear me out. My lord of Warwick feels that it would be a wise thing for you to leave England. Carver's band is the best available means at this moment and it is a se
tt
led ma
tt
er. They have even procured a ship. They will not turn back now. But Carver is not your future, Tom. I will let you into a secret. I also seek a grant, and it will not long be delayed, now. There will have to be money spent on it, but it shall be done'

'You, John? You'd give up all this?'

'All what? A few farms? A certain solidity which all but stifles me?" He raised his hand.
‘I
'll say no more, my lord. Suffice it is that I see my future home in America. But it will take me a few years yet to prepare, and I doubt you have that long, Tom. Go with Carver, but be ready to join me when I call for you. You'll have experience of the terrain, of the conditions, of the aboriginals. You'll be my right arm, Tom.'

'You have the devil's own tongue,' Tom mu
tt
ered, and glanced at Warwick.

The nobleman shrugged. 'Mr Winthrop and I agree that it would be best for you to leave England, certainly, Tom, and I further agreed to allow him first application for your services. But you are right in your estimation of the northern part of the Americas. A barren, bi
tt
er place. I have talked with those who came back from Jamestown. Yet is that vast continent the place of the future. I have also obtained a grant.'

'You, my lord?' Even Winthrop seemed surprised.

'And why not? My colonists will at least not lack financial support.And my grant is for the lands surrounding the Oyapoc'

' 'Tis in Guyana,' Edward cried, before he could stop himself.

The men turned to look under the table. Then Warwick burst out laughing. 'Why, so it is, boy. You know your geography. But yet far removed from the Orinoco and the Spanish sphere. You'll remember Harcourt? He planted a colony there a few years back.'

'And it died also,' Winthrop observed.

'For lack of support. Now, Tom, my men shall do nothing of that nature. Roger North will command. He may be young, but he is ambitious and I have confidence in him. The fleet fits down in Plymouth, and will load for the be
tt
er part of this coming year. There you have the only reason I'd not go down on my knees and beg you to accompany them. A year may prove too long for you.'

'But in any event, Guyana is an unlucky place,' Winthrop said. 'You'd do be
tt
er in the north, Tom.'

Tom Warner looked from one to the other, and then at his wife in the comer, and smiled, which nowadays was sufficiently rare. 'Gentlemen, you fla
tt
er me. What, two such brilliant men bidding for my services? To carry your swords for you? Mistake me not, I am fla
tt
ered. Indeed, I thank you for your concern on my behalf, from the bo
tt
om of my heart. But sir, whatever the faults of my ancestors, whatever the faults of my own quick tongue, I have served this king too long and too truly for me to ever to believe that he would wish me harm. With due respect, my lord, I was quite unfi
tt
ed for the Lieutenancy of the Tower. I knew it ere I had been in residence a year, and yet I would not give it up, partly out of gratitude for your own great interest, and partly out of my own stubbornness.' Tom ...' Warwick began.

'You'll pardon me, my lord. There is another reason why I shall remain here, and hope to find be
tt
er employment before long. 'Tis a secret to now reveal to you. I shall be a father this year, for the third time.'

There was a moment's silence, and heads turned to regard Rebecca, who bent low over her sewing.

'My most hearty congratulations, Tom,' Winthrop said.

'You'll accept mine as well,' Warwick said. 'And I would beg your forgiveness, and yours, Rebecca, for all this careless talk which would seek to deprive you of your husband at such a time. Then I will redouble my efforts on your behalf at court, Tom. As you say, His Majesty will not forget one of his most faithful servants, when it is put to him properly. We'll have you a regiment of foot before the spring. Now I will take my leave.'

'You'll not spend the night, my lord?
’

‘It
would be my pleasure, Tom, but I must be at court by noon tomorrow, which means that I must travel at least part of the distance tonight. You'll accompany me for a while, Mr Winthrop?'

'Of course,' Winthrop agreed, with some regret. 'Again, my congratulations, Tom. Perhaps you'll ride over to visit me, before too long.'

Edward Warner heaved himself from his chair.
‘I
'll see you to the door, gentlemen. Tis truly sorry I am not to have the pleasure of your company for a trifle longer.'

The men left the room, save for Tom and Berwicke. Tom remained by the fire, shifting from foot to foot.
‘It
had to be done,' he mu
tt
ered.

'And I have no grudge on that score, Mr Warner,' Rebecca said softly.
‘I
would also say that my lord of Warwick and Mr Winthrop spoke a deal of good sense. There is no future for you here. Were you to decide to join Mr Carver's expedition, I would be more than happy.'

'But...'

'Your brother and Jane will see that I do not want, and I could join you, with the children, whenever the babe is strong enough to travel. Depend upon it, there will be more ships travelling west should the colony prove to be a success, and should it prove a failure, why, then, will you not be back in short order, in any event?"

Tom smiled, and held out his hand for another glass of the mulled wine. 'You are a true wife, Rebecca, and would, I have no doubt, make a good pioneer. Nor did I for one moment suppose that you would oppose my departure. But truth to say, my sweet, I have no faith in these colonizing expeditions. God knows I value and trust John Winthrop above any other man, but he seeks room to practise his own religion, and his own views on government, which are more than a li
tt
le republican, although he would never admit it. He is himself the most tolerant of men, but you may be sure he will populate his colony with those of a like mind to himself, and these will lack his toleration. So we shall exchange the rule of king and bishop for that of elder and pulpit thumper; the first pair is at least ordained and encouraged by God. As for Mr North and his patron, they too play a false game. 'Tis well known that Harcourt's colony failed because the place is not suitable for tobacco on any scale. Warwick dreams of El Dorado, although he has more sense than to admit it.'

‘It
is there, Father,' Edward said. 'Mr Raleigh was convinced of it.'

Tom glanced at his son. 'Eavesdropper. No doubt it is there. But gold brings a man no more happiness than does tyranny. Indeed, they are but different sides of the same coin. Now, were someone to propose an expedition to a place where there would be no religious persecution, no grasping after wealth, no political adventures, no laws, perhaps, but the sheer good of all, well, then I might be tempted.'

Rebecca smiled. Then should you not apply for your own le
tt
ers patent, Mr Warner, and lead your own expedition?'

'Aye,' Tom said. 'Had I the slightest notion where to go. But every colony ever launched has seemed to depend upon the climate, the necessity to fight for existence, and more, to fight their fellow man, be he
Indian
or Spaniard, for survival. To begin with injustice were no way to found a paradise. I'll stick to my profession, and do the best I can with a regiment of foot.' He raised his finger as his wife would have spoken again. 'And there's an end to it, woman.'

But with the spring, and no news from town, he became restless. Rebecca was now beginning to swell, and some of her good humour had departed. The best of mothers and of wives, she needed the stimulus of sex to be also the best of women; Tom now avoided her bedroom, and she was left to Mother Elizabeth, who was inclined to fuss. With spring, as well, Edward Warner and his sons were hard at work from dawn until dusk.

'Farming,' Tom said, with a snort. ' Tis downright slavery. I've a mind ...'

'You'll not go to town, Mr Warner,' Rebecca said. 'You'll not beg George Villiers.'

Tom sighed, and nodded.
‘I
'll not. But you'll agree that in this imperfect world a man is nothing without patronage'

'And you have the best in the world, Mr Warner, if you would be patient.'

'Now that is not a characteristic of the Warners, my sweet. If I stay here I'll be fit for nothing. Would you spare me for a week?'

She picked up her sewing.
‘If
I knew where you'd gone.'

To Plymouth. I know Rich is down there, fussing over his fleet, I have no doubt at all 'tis his preoccupation with this venture that prevents him giving thought to my problems, nor do I in the least blame him for that. But perhaps were I to be more in his sight. . .'

'A splendid conception, Mr Warner.' Rebecca put down her needlework and raised her head.
‘I
'd have you know that you have not changed my mind, sir. Should my lord of Warwick have no cheer for you, or indeed, should he paint a more gloomy picture than when he visited here in the New Year, and should you in those circumstances decide to seek your fortune in a new land, be sure that you will have my blessing.'

Tom laughed, and kissed her on the forehead.
‘I
am neither seafarer nor colonist, sweetheart. My roots delve deep into this muddy soil, much as I despise it. I'll prove my point. I'll take Edward with me. He is as restless as I am, and the journey will do him good. With that millstone around my neck, be sure that I will return.'

Here was adventure. Edward was supplied with a horse, true, hardly more than a pony, but none the less, for the first time he would not have to ride in the wagon with Mama and Philip. And they were going a very long way, from Suffolk and the fens up into the low hills of Hertfordshire, then across the great Chilterns on to the chalk downs of the south coast, on, ever on, soon leaving even civilization behind them as they rode across the moorland of the south west. The journey took upwards of a week, nearly all day spent in the saddle, and through a variety of showers of rain and sleet and hail, for the month was only April and it remained chilly, and stopping for the night at the roadside inns, where Father and Berwicke would gulp their ale and smoke their pipes, and Edward, granted the dignity of a full tankard, would quietly drink himself to sleep, and dream of tomorrow.

He thought li
tt
le of the country through which they travelled, for all that the land, just awakening from its winter sleep, was at its most beautiful. Green grass and green leaf sprouted everywhere, punctuated with brilliant wild flowers and occasionally a rose garden, all white and crimson and purple, adjoining inn and posting house; the copses were loud with birdsong, and the farms with the lowing of ca
tt
le. "What, leave this blessed land?" Tom shouted. 'A man must be criminal to envisage such a fate.' But Edward thought only of the sea, and there it was, six days after leaving home, a sight to drive the aches from his bu
tt
ocks and bring him up in his stirrups with joy. The Channel, and beyond, the Atlantic, seething whitecaps before a westerly breeze, pounding on the great white cliffs towards which they rode. For all his short life he had waited for this moment.

And of the ships. Never had he seen ships like these; three-masters seldom got up above London Bridge. But Plymouth seemed not houses built to accommodate a few vessels, but a town of vessels built to accommodate a few houses. Here was that seat of history of which he had dreamed for so long. Here Sir Francis Drake and his other heroes had played at bowls on the day the Armada had commenced its sweep up channel. Here ...

'There is the boy in you,' Berwicke declared. There is more history in one stone of the Tower than in any ship ever built. And you did no more than scuff your shoes on those.'

‘I
am going to be a sea captain,' Edward insisted.

My lord of Warwick's fleet, five stout li
tt
le ships, was moored alongside one of the innumerable docks which thrust their timbers into the calm water. The travellers stood on the quay and stared at the flagship, the Great St George, in wonder, while Mr North came ashore to greet them, and explain the hustle and bustle which went on all around them. 'Tis amazing, Captain Warner, what a list of necessaries there is, for we must not only be fi
tt
ed with the requirements of war, cannon and cutlass, pistol and ball, but with everything that we may need for daily life as well, tools and nails, food and clothing, for a considerable period. We have no idea how long a time may elapse between our departure from here and the reaping of our first crop. Why, before we leave, we'll have a full cargo of goats on board each ship.'

He was a handsome fellow, surprisingly young, to Tom's eyes, tall and straight, and affecting plain clothes, although he was a brother to Lord North.

‘I
'd no idea a colonizing expedition was such a venture,' Tom confessed. 'How long have you been at it, now?"

'Four months,' North replied. 'And it will be at least two more before we are ready. But come, we'll take a glass of wine and I'll show you our maps.'

‘I
had hoped to find my lord of Warwick here,' Tom said.

'He was, but he was recalled to London on urgent ma
tt
ers. I expect to see him back again any moment, though, so perhaps your journey will not be wasted. You'll accompany us, Mr Berwicke?'

Edward stood on one leg.

North smiled. 'You too, lad. But you'll find us men uncommon tiresome, I have no doubt.' He raised his voice. 'Mr Hilton.'

The boy was not a great many years older than Edward himself, tall, with narrow shoulders, lank black hair and a rawboned, rakish face, pi
tt
ed with the pox, and dominated by a thrusting nose and chin. It was not a handsome face, but there was strength in it, left the more obvious as he had not yet begun to sprout a beard. 'Aye, aye, Mr North.'

'This is Master Anthony Hilton,' North explained. 'Captain Thomas Warner, Mr Ralph Berwicke.'

'Captain Warner, sir.' Anthony Hilton saluted.
‘I
have heard much of you, sir.'

'He's a fla
tt
erer,' Tom said, but he was obviously delighted.

t
ndeed not, sir,' Hilton declared.
‘I
do wish you were accompanying us. 'Tis a fact we shall have need of fighting men.'

"You've a large tongue in your head, Tony,' North observed. 'This is a peaceful venture, and there's an end to it. Now here is your charge. Master Edward Warner. You'll show him the vessel.'

'Aye, aye, Mr North.' The gash of a mouth split into a smile. 'Welcome aboard, Master Warner.'

‘It
is my pleasure, Mr Hilton.'

The young man gazed at him for a moment, and then led the way up the gang plank, and jumped down on to the deck. 'Here we stand in the waist. 'Tis the main deck of the ship. Back there is the quarter deck, and farther aft, highest of all, the poop. Up there belongs to the admiral alone. Forward there's the forecastle, where the men have their quarters.'

'She's so much bigger from here.' Edward gazed at the brass cannon which peered at the closed ports.

'Oh, we've teeth,' Hilton said. 'Five pieces to a broad side, and a couple of sakers aft, with a falconer on the poop to discourage boarders. Well not fall tamely to any Spaniard, you may be sure of that. But where we really have our strength is up there. Speed, lad. That's our secret.'

They stood at the foot of the mainmast, and Edward gazed aloft into the forest of rigging and furled sails.

'Think you'd make the main top?' Hilton asked.

‘It
looks hardly higher than a stout oak,' Edward said.

'And stout oaks mean nothing to your worship,' Hilton observed. 'Except that should you have to climb that one at sea, she'll be hanging sideways over the waves, and you'll be food for the sharks.'

'Have you ever fallen overboard?' Edward asked.

Hilton glanced at him, and flushed.
‘I
'm to show you the ship,' he said, and opened a door in the after bulkhead. Here was a large cabin, although so low that Hilton had to stoop and Edward's head all but brushed the deck beams. There was a table, bolted to the floor, and berths along each bulkhead. 'The lads sleep here,' Hilton said. 'Gentlemen, you'll understand. We'd be ship's officers, in a normal crew. But we're colonists first.'

‘I
thought you were the mate,' Edward said.

Another quick glance. 'Colonists first.' Hilton went farther aft and down a short ladder. 'Now here's the tiller.'

But the huge piece of timber leading to the rudder interested Edward less than the even bigger saker, protruding through the open port. And then the nearness of the water. Down here it was not six feet awav. 'Do the waves ever come in?"

'Often enough. 'Tis like a dark hole at sea, with the ports shut. You'll smell the tar?
‘It
is pleasant enough.'

'We're alongside. She'll take on a different aroma when we're at sea. We've a driving admiral, Master Warner. What thought you of him?'