Ram; being the tale of one Ramillies Anstruther, 1704-55 .. (51 page)

But then Rob again developed woman trouble. After seeming content for so long with Nell as his "housekeeper," he was now casting sheep's eyes at Margot, who was definitely not repelling him.

No indentured servant, Margot received £15 sterhng a year, besides Lucinda's discarded clothes. Though Ram had always thought the Frenchwoman self-seeking and avaricious, he felt that should she surrender to Rob it was their private affair. But already Nell had got wind of it and, outraged, was threatening to murder "t'foreign bitch." She meant it, so Ram knew he must take action.

He found a way: Kennedy O'Brien, a Carolina Irishman, had lately founded a trading post far up the Savannah on the Georgia side. Other traders were making it their base, whence they traveled far into Indian country; so the trustees had ordered Captain Mackay's Company there, to keep order and to prevent any incursion of the French at Mobile. Having long wanted to inspect Augusta, as the post was

called, Ram now decided that, to get Rob away from both women, he'd establish him there to sell the trade goods that moved so slowly at Shoreacres. Early in summer, therefore, he loaded Peg-Leg's piragua with them and began the long journey.

Visiting several new settlements as he went, he reached Fort Palach-ocolas on the Carolina side. Its garrison consisted of rangers under Aeneas Mackintosh, whose brother, a lieutenant in Lord Montague's Foot, was laird of Clan Mackintosh which had suffered so terribly by coming out for the Pretender in 1715.

Aware that Ram was Oglethorpe's friend and had also explored much of the new colony, Aeneas asked his thoughts as to its future and if white men could labor and keep healthy in its climate, especially in the south. "Many of my clan write asking if there's free land there," he explained. "But feeling dies hard in the Highlands, and they don't know if there'd be a welcome for them in George's new colony, since they rose against him not long since."

"The trustees frown only on Papists, and even they are winked at," Ram reassured him. "I'd say your friends would be most welcome. Oglethorpe's bound to speak for them, for we sadly lack men of fighting breed who can also make a settlement and farm."

The Scot sighed with relief. "Man, there's many who'd bring families and servants, but they've no money. If the trust would pay the passage and subsist 'em awhile, they'll come gladly."

Leaving him encouraged. Ram went on. It was pleasant going and, though not a soul was met in the 200-mile trip, ashore there was game aplenty and always new sights and breath-taking wonders.

Then Augusta; a straggle of stores, stables, cow pens and a few enclosed acres of corn. Near by were the camps of visiting tribes and clans; from the Upper and Lower Creeks, Chicasaws, Uchees, Cher-okees and more. Also itinerant traders were setting out or returning with long strings of pack horses.

While Rob went to haggle for space in a store. Ram hunted up the garrison's commander and introduced himself.

Patrick Mackay, of Cider Hall, in Sutheriand—as he was careful to add—was a far different Scot from Mackintosh. Though his men, like all rangers, were volunteers, he called his command the Georgia Independent Company and maintained a regular unit's discipline. He also spoke pridefully of his ardent loyalty to George II.

Finding, however, that Ram was no mere militia or ranger captain, but had borne the King's commission, he unbent. "I'm in a sad position here," he confessed. "The trustees insist on no Negras or rum, and it's my duty to enforce their orders. Yet across in Carohna both are legal, and the traders come from there or Virginia. Besides, I myself own slaves over there, as is well known. So I must enforce rules I don't believe in and make myself hated."

"A soldier's lot," Ram commiserated. "I, too, could use blacks; but we've accepted the conditions, so there's naught we can do."

"It won't last!" Mackay declared. "Without Negras Georgia's doomed. People of position such as ourselves must convince the Trust of their error. As for rum, how can I stop a Virginia trader, who's come hundreds o' miles with a score of kegs, from using 'em in trade? I must needs look the other way."

Though privately sympathizing, Ram said nothing, lest it be thought he was critical of the trustees and, especially, Oglethorpe.

Rob, meanwhile, had rented space in the store of an elderly Virginian named Scott, and already he, Peg-Leg and the piragua's crew were getting the goods ashore. "We'll do little trade without rum," he grumbled. "Mr. Scott doesn't sell it, but he gives a free noggin for every five skins brought in. So should we."

"I'll not have my own kin breaking the law," Ram forbade.

Next day he and Mackav left with an interpreter and a ranger escort to visit a Cherokee town fifty miles away. There, its mico demanded their help in avenging the deaths of two of his braves, lately killed by the Choctaws. Ram and Mackay refused, however, because the slay-ings had been a mere clash of traveling bands, but promised that should the Choctaws invade Cherokee hunting grounds, the soldiers would come to their Cherokee brothers' aid. Though disappointed, before they left the mice gave them a feast.

Upon their return to Augusta they saw that something was wrong: the few Indians visible were braves lounging sullenly outside the traders' stores. "Where're the squaws and bairns?" Mackay wondered. "They're usually as thick as lice." He hailed Kennedy O'Brien. "What's in the wind?"

Glowering at Ram, the trader motioned Mackay to follow him out of earshot, where he spoke heatedly.

The ranger came back cursing. " 'Tis your cousin! Are there no'

enough unwedded sluts for him to lay with, he must pick on a wife —and one from a Cherokee town that musters a hundred warriors?" When Ram demanded details, he scowled: "O'Brien says the fool didn't even take her into the woods, but to some bushes behind the store. So they were seen. Damn the gomerel! He gave her a few noggins and a red blanket, and she was so drunk she didn't know what she did. Now they've cropped her hair and cut off her nose—and want to do worse to him."

Seething, Ram crashed into Simon Scott's store. Usually it was crowded with Indians, but now there were only Scott himself, seated on a keg and whittling morosely, and Rob slumped against the counter. The latter started up, opened his mouth, then slumped again, his usually ruddy face blenching.

"Well, what's the tale?" Ram asked dangerously.

"I—I was a fool!" Rob managed. "The trull wanted the blanket and had no skins, so I chaffered with her for something else. Bah, she stank from the bear grease on her! Aye, I was a fool."

"Ever since our landing, we've heard what these savages do when they're enraged," Ram reminded him bitterly. "What they do to captives makes no pleasant telling either. Well, they want you."

"God's name, ye'll not let 'em touch me!"

"Rot ye for a randy pole pusher! You were brave enough with her, but now ye want saving from her kind. You ponce-faced whore's bully!"

"But they'll torture me!"

"If that was all, I'd be content. But what if these Cherokees turn from us to the French? What if they start war? There'll be scalping and burning down to Savannah and Charles Town itself. And all because you must have your fun. Cousin or not, I've a mind to crop you myself, and not only your nose."

"For Gammer's sake, don't let 'em get their hands on me!"

"Stay here and see we've plenty of guns loaded," Ram ordered.

"Been a dozen charged ever since it happened," Old Scott interposed. "Aye, and I've a trail laid to this here powder keg to blow the bastards to hell if it's like they'll git the better of us. I lost me partner, Saul Powell, two years back. Stuck him full o' pine splinters and set 'em afire." He glared at Rob. "Damn yer guts! Made like ye was too high and mighty to pass a noggin to seal a trade, but ye pour

a pint down a no-good bitch so's to git what you want!" Spitting, he resumed his whittHng,

Ram went out to find Mackay. The latter was already assembling his company; while several traders and their helpers were arming themselves. The Indians had retired to their camps, dividing up according to their tribes or towns.

Mackay thought presents might salve the injured husband's feelings. "He'll need get a new wife, so the richer he is the better he can pick. I advise ye, sir, not to lag in generosity. And his mico and the Man of War will want their share. If that fails, we must be ready, for all the Indian country's likely to rise, with the French and the Spaniards stirring their fingers in the pot."

Fortunately, the cuckolded brave's avarice was greater than his sense of dishonor. He demanded three guns, with powder, bullets and flints; ten yards of red stroud woolens; three blue blankets; six white shirts; three large brass kettles, besides smaller items. They were the equivalent in trade to 125 buckskins, which was more than he could have killed and cured in five good hunting years. His chief and the war leader also had to be paid off.

What few trade goods Ram had left he gave to the luckless squaw who, mutilated and starving, had been skulking behind the huts.

This over, Ram bade Rob follow him into the woods. "I promised Sue I'd not let you come to harm," he told him. "We'll, I've got ye out of the scrape and we've lost nothing but our trade goods."

"I'll repay you!" Rob cried fervently. "As soon as there's cash from the mine."

"I'm taking payment now. Off with your coat."

"You—!" Rob's eyes widened. "Begod, I'll not be treated so! Damn you. Ram Anstruther, I'm no witless lad to be—"

"The coat!"

"I'll see ye in hell first!"

Ram sprang. He was lighter than Rob, but the latter was already half beaten by guilt. Ram tore the coat off, then stepped back and retrieved his dropped riding crop. Brutally but coldly he thrashed Rob until he had reduced him to a sniveling, cursing hulk. Then, turning away, he called over his shoulder: "Go aboard the boat."

He sought out Mackay who, reassuring him that the Indians were now satisfied, insisted on his staying to drink a stirruj>cup of wine.

So it was dark when he started back toward the piragua. As he was passing Trader O'Brien's hut, the door opened violently and a yelping man darted out, pursued by a filth-spouting human mountain, who was kicking him mercilessly.

"You useless turd!" the big man roared. "Ye did it d'liberate! Broke me mirror before me very eyes, pox ye rotten!"

"I didn't, I didn't, s'welp me! Gord's me judge, I— Aaah!"

It was no concern of Ram's, but as he came into the wedge of light from the doorway, the sufferer made toward him, crawling on hands and knees.

" 'Elp! Don't let 'im 'urt me again!" he moaned. " 'E'll kill me!"

"Ye louse-ridden scum!" His tormenter charged, a knife glittering. "I'll larn ye to yawp like that!"

"Hold!" Ram warned him, for the fugitive was clutching desperately at his legs. "What's the rogue done you must mangle him?"

"Out of me way! No man can protect me legal servant from me just wrath!" The enraged master gave him a shove that, since his legs were being held, sent him crashing.

When his head cleared, rage flared. This great bastard had struck him! He tried to rise, but fell again as the screaming servant once more clutched him, imploring aid. It became a melee; the giant kicking and lunging with his knife at both his man and Ram. But as they were now beyond the shaft of light, he did no great harm.

At last Ram gained his feet. His sword whipped out and darted toward the bully's throat. "Drop that knife!"

Mouthing oaths, the other tried to draw back, but Ram's arm merely lengthened and the steel's point drew blood. The knife dropped.

"Now we'll learn why you attack passers-by." Ram forced him into the light.

"Travis, ye thrice damned fool, ye've caught a Tartar this time!" O'Brien called amusedly. " 'Tis Mr. Oglethorpe's deputy."

"I'll eat his liver, whoever he is!" But Travis lacked conviction. He wanted to feel how badly his throat was bleeding, but dared not raise his hand lest Ram misunderstand and thrust farther in. Slowly, he backing and Ram advancing, they entered the store.

"Now, sir, I'll thank you to apologize for knocking me down."

"I apologize," he mumbled, relieved to find only a smear on his fingers. "But damn them what comes between me and my property."

"Capting—Capting Anstruther!" came a gasp from behind. Ram turned and saw the "Property," face bloody and one arm pressed hard against his side. "Don't you know me, y'r honor?"

"Who are ye?" Ram tried to recognize the blurred, anguished voice.

" 'Ilary, y'r honor—'Ilary Brahwn! Cor, you know me, sir!"

"Ye sod, how dare ye know a gent like the captain!" Travis bellowed virtuously. "I'll bur}' ye in a dunghill for such insolence!"

"Hold!" Ram intervened. "I do know him. He once did me a service."

"More'n he ever did me! Paid five pund sterling to the ship's master for him and never had a day's worth out of him this three years."

Ram turned to O'Brien. "Rum's illegal as a trade article, but it's not barred as medicine. I feel cursedly ill myself, and I doubt not all of you gentlemen ail also." There was a gust of laughter, and O'Brien bent below his counter for noggins. When the others drank, Ram handed his to Hilary.

"What the—?" Travis began, shocked.

"I said we all ailed." Ram smiled coldly. "I'd say Brown's worse off than any of us. Drink up, Hilary."

A sob broke from the battered cockney as he obeyed, and part of the raw spirit spilled down his bruised chin.

Ram was wondering what he could do for him. "I know the rogue's of small use," he told Travis, "but surely you wouldn't want to murder him! Is he your property for life?"

"Seven years I paid for. Dung! Too soft to plow a field or handle me hawses proper or keep camp."

" 'Tain't so, s'welp me!" Hilary protested in Ram's ear. " 'E broke me arm once, and now 'e's stove in me ribs."

"Newgate scum," Ram agreed with Travis, ignoring him. "So doubtless you'd be willing to be rid of him—for a consideration."

"We-ell, now. Cap, he ain't so bad I'd want to be rid of him—not for nothing. He's me pack-hawse man and he knows the Uchee tongue a bit, and he can cook up food vittles and—"

"Yet you were ready to kill him, when we so unluckily became embroiled." Ram's thrust brought a laugh from the others.

"Fifteen pund—gold," Travis said hastily. "Couldn't let him go for less."

"Done!" It was a stiff price, but Ram remembered how Hilary had

bandaged his wounds with a scrap of shirt tail. He counted out fourteen guineas and six shilHngs. "You've his indentures with you?"

"Kin git 'em in a minute," Travis agreed dehghtedly. The coins were worth £120 Carohna currency.

"0-oh, Capting!" Hilary's gasp was ecstatic.

"Another round, gentlemen?" Ram invited. "Mr. Travis, I start at dawn, so I'll thank ye to have those indentures to me beforehand." He saluted the traders and left, with his new servant limping behind.

Aboard the piragua, Peg-Leg turned surgeon. Three of Hilary's ribs were cracked, and ugly bruises were appearing where Travis had narrowly missed his groin; his face was a mess and his nose broken. But as the craft dropped downriver, he burst into quavering song, for, with Ram now owning his time, he had been transported into Paradise.

Back at Savannah, Ram found a supply piragua about to leave for Fort Argyle, so sent Rob and Hilary home in it. He himself went on to Charles Town with Peg-Leg, to report to Governor Johnson upon the western defenses. But Johnson had just died and Lieutenant Governor Broughton was away upcountr)' and not expected back for some days.

So Ram returned to his tavern. There he was hailed by Pilot Simon Parks, who was supping with two friends, Under Bailiff Savage and Captain Caleb Davis, a sea trader.

"How's your stock, sir?" Parks queried. "Ye've as fine horses and cows as any Ah've seen in America. Ye must 'ave a ready sale for 'em."

"Haven't tried yet. But I do have some young stuff ready."

"What's your mind on price. Captain?" Davis asked. "I know where they'll pay double what they do here for good English horseflesh. Consider it, sir. No man should turn down a handsome profit."

Ram agreed. "Where are your friends?"

"St. Augustine. I trade down there reg'lar. Last voyage, they asked me to keep me eye out for good stock."

"So! Don't they have good animals of their own?"

"Not laike yours, sir," Parks contributed. "Run to seed, Ah'd say. Needs good Yorkshire stoof to grade 'em oop. Right, Mr. Savage?"

"I'd think so, though I'm no great judge." The official had an Irish accent. He turned to Ram. "Have ye never been there, sir? 'Tis said

the Dons are grand friends, if they hke ye; though I've small way of knowing mesilf, being occupied here with me duties."

"Lookee, sir—" Davis began, but broke off with a groan. "Crave pardon! Rotten with disease, from voyaging southward years agone." Ram saw then that the seaman's arms and legs were puffed horribly. "But I'll trade your stock for ye any time, and I won't charge ye but a modest fee for the shipping and handling."

"Agreed." Ram was delighted. "I've two fine stallions and a brood mare. But I'd want to go and do the selling myself."

"If ye so wish. Where can I squint at the animals?"

"Why not at Shoreacres? We could load them straight aboard. There's three fathoms by my jetty at full tide."

"I've a run to make to Bermuda first, so say about two nionths and I'll partake of your hospitality, sir." Davis turned fretfully to Savage. "Bear a hand to git me aloft, will ye, John? Stairs is mortal hard when ye've a hogshead o' water in yer legs."

But Savage relegated the work to Parks and turned back to Ram. "How fares it in Augusta, sir? Are the nations peaceful or do the French incite 'em? We hear so little of the truth here."

"All was well when I left."

"How go our fortifyings, sir?" the other pursued. " 'Tis said Captain Mackay's built strongly."

Ram's reply was curt: "The captain's there to keep order for both Carolina and Georgia. Many traders want to debauch the Indians with rum, so some such authority is necessary."

"What matter if the brutes drink thimselves stupid? Our rangers keep them in control; there's no harm they can do the settlements. At least," Savage smiled, "that's the feeling of our merchants, I'm told."

Ram rose. "Were you here in the last Indian war? I hear some bands, drunk on rum, slaughtered planters and their families near this very town. I've a distant plantation of my own and folk I've no wish to find scalped. Servant, sir."

Grand news came from Dalesview, A letter from Sue enclosed a looo-guinea draft and said there would be more whenever he needed it, for the mines were at last bringing in handsome profits.

"Now we can go home!" Lucinda cried excitedly. "When can we sail?"

"Not while I'm still Mr. Oglethorpe's deputy," he protested. Besides, he had use for this money; he must repay Joseph the overdue loan on the plate, and there were still improvements to be made.

Lucinda sulked and prayed for Oglethorpe's return. Yet that Christmas she drove herself to exhaustion to make the feast a success. The yule log was dragged in, mistletoe from the scrub oaks hung from the door frames—causing much kissing and laughter—the long table was beautifully decorated and groaning with venison, wild turkeys, fowls, rounds of beef, pasties and pies. And there was wine and great tankards of ale.

The most colorful guests were Hillispilli and Toonahowi, long since back from London, The wanior had largely reverted to his original state and wore a fine broadcloth coat with only his loincloth below; yet he was so gravely courteous that even Lucinda was impressed. Not so the boy, who lisped, "Eged!" and "Stap me!" like a London beau. He still wore the suit in which he'd been presented to King George, though now it was stained and torn.

Early in the new year, Davis arrived in his sloop. The three horses were got aboard and also a fine young bull. Davis spent the daylight hours in a chair by the wheel. He often took the wheel while passing through the narrow passages of the inland way, which he knew thoroughly. He told Ram that Sapelo was actually two islands, the northeastern being where Blackbeard the pirate had careened his ship and where he was supposed to have buried his treasure.