Jamie's Extraordinary Adventures

By Brian Robinson

The Storey is about a young hero in the 18th Century, in which he portrays greatness to solve problems and turn the impossible to every possibility. He encounters difficult situations such as an erupting volcano be calm seas storms, water and food shortage.

Repelling pirate attacks we’re his greatest challenge, without any loss of life.The hero in Brian’s book, somehow resembles the success and dilemmas Brian has faced in his life and the book as it's written interpreters hope an inspiration, that one endures, and the author who's goal is to let he's heartwarming words give pleasure and fulfilment to his readers. Brian Robinson sole aspiration was to write a powerful inspiring book with a touch of humour. Brian emphasizes why humour matters in his life for him. A lot of
things may have lost but never has a sense of humour, after all, we only need a good hard laugh after gruesome challenge in lif

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Robinson
• Release date: Apr 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736672242

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Jamie’s Extraordinary Adventures

Copyright © 2020 by Brian Robinson. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or conveyed via the Internet or a website without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

ISBN: 9781736672242 (ebook)

Printed in the United States of America

Synopsis

In the late eighteenth century the main Hero called Jamie Heslop. He qualified at the young age of fourteen as a Midshipman. This young man showed extreme ingenuity to solve problems or meet challenges in making the impossible possible.

When finding out his Father was murdered at sea by henchmen, hired by his vicious uncle Zak and his evil stepmother Edwina. Under the misapprehension they both would inherit the Heslop shipping fortune. Jamie fearing for his life, he takes one of his late father’s ships with his friend Kate. The only ones he could trust to man the ship were the young children, from the orphanage some having severed on a ship with his late father. Their destination is an island in the Indian Ocean using a map given to him by an old seaman friend. After setting sail he discovers forty black slaves chained up in the ships hold. They would also become dedicated loyal friends. The long journey helps all of them to develop skills to turn them into able seaman, some learning other different trades. But the other most important thing was they all had to learn the art of swordsmanship. They all would become an elite band of fighters, having been taught by a beautiful orphan tomboy called Sam.

On this perilous Journey, they would encounter many dangerous situations, including storms, an erupting volcano, becalmed seas, shortage of water and food. One of Jamie’s first dangerous sea encounter was when his vicious uncle Zak, who wanted Jamie dead. In another incident, he comes under attack from a notorious pirate called Nancarrow wanting his ship and crew. Using his ingenuity in both attempts, Jamie repelled disabling both ships, without firing a single shot or loss of life. They all would find out in the future, the Wrath from these two encounters.

Reaching their island, they soon established themselves, building homes farming the land. Then after a violent storm, they find a English shipwreck on one of the smaller islands. After boarding the wreck, among other things they discover a wanted posted. It read their skipper is wanted for murder of his dear friend. Jamie vowed to clear his name when he gets older but for now he had to keep a promise he had made to his late father. Firstly he turned his attention to find the plantation owners on the mainland, whom had taken some of his loyal crew’s families for slaves.

On one such encounter before sailing back to their Island Jamie was amazed to see Zak’s ship moored up in a harbour. Catching Zak’s crew off guard, they seized his ship and sailed back to their Island. Only to find Nancarrow wanting revenge had attacked their island. Sadly a few of his crew he had left behind some had been killed along with their livestock. Jamie knew it was only a matter of time before this evil Pirate would return to kill them all, so he had to prepare everyone. Nancarrow did return, but this time with Zak and Edwina on board wanting their ship back. Jamie cleverly responded with his elite band of fighters. The outcome of the battle enabled him to return back to England to clear his name. That would only be after one more last big escapade. Once back in Portsmouth, establishing his innocence, then finds out his father maybe alive in Ireland. Desperate to uncover the truth, he sets sail for Ireland leaving his girlfriend Kate behind expecting to be back in a few months.

Introduction

Almost a year ago in my ancestral cottage well buried deep behind clutter under the stairs, I made a fantastic discovery, there was this 18th-century copper strongbox, bearing the initials CC! Now CC you may ask, perhaps this might have been hidden away from a Relative from the past. What secrets would it hold inside? I found a Diary and journals in very good preserved condition. Being eager to find out whether CC is a relative and if so how did I become a Riley. After reading everything being so amazed I have now decided to write my first book. So I have combined my version along with what is written in the diary and journals, and take you on a journey of a lifetime beginning with CC first entry.

Chapter 1

One hot September afternoon a young fourteen year old girl walking home across a village green, heading towards her was this magnificent horse with a young male rider. When passing each other unfortunately she let out one hell of a sneeze Achoo. The horse spooked reared up throwing the rider into the air then hitting the ground with an almighty thump. The poor girl did not know whether to laugh or cry, seeing this young man red faced getting up rubbing his bum, but luckily none the worse. She apologised politely, ‘sorry Sir are you okay.’ Being so embarrassed muttered. ‘ I am fine madam.’

Then all of a sudden they both looked at each other and burst out laughing, that’s when she saw his captivating smile for the first time. ‘Madam my name is Jamie; I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance.’

She curtseyed. ‘My name is Catherine but sir, please call me Kate as everyone does.’

Kate had also had noticed his eyes were a gentle blue, glistening in the sun and he was very handsome. Nerves got the best of her so told him. ‘It was nice meeting you, sir.’

Then she began to excuse herself with a short customary curtsey and turned to walk away.

He did not want to lose the opportunity to see her again so he suddenly asked. ‘May I walk you home but only if you stop calling me Sir.’

She gave him a lovely smile before telling him. ‘Well Jamie there is no need too I just live down that path and I was just going home before I made your horse jump so there is no need to walk me home.

‘You sure did make me and my horse jump, the main reason I had just been to the graveyard to put flowers on my late mother’s grave and my thoughts were miles away.

Poor Kate looked a bit depressed. ‘I am sorry for your loss Jamie; I know the sadness you bear because I lost both my parents when I was very young, I am being brought up by my grandparents. They both love me and treat me like a mother and father. They have lived in that cottage for many years, sadly they are getting old now and when they die, I will probably live there for the rest of my life too’.

He expressed sorrow for her loss and understood, ‘I am sorry you lost your parents Kate but happy that you have such caring loving grandparents. Unlike you Kate I have my father but sadly he remarried not long after my mother died to a woman called Edwina. I hate her so much even though I try so hard to please her; she is so very evil to me and all the servants.’

Jamie quickly changed the subject talking about his problems. ‘Kate what you just said about living in that cottage forever, you never know what’s going to happen in life just think positive. Who knows things might change for you from now onwards if you believer in fate. Also, I might see more of you as I only live just over there, at the top of the green in the Manor house with those big iron gates’.

Kate sudden becomes tongue-tied in his presence, and a bit embarrassed and a silence fell between them. Even Jamie was trying to think of something, as he didn’t want to lose the opportunity to meet her again and blurted out. ‘Kate I am going to fly my kite on this green tomorrow mid-morning if the wind was favourable, would you like to join me.’

‘Jamie, I would love to, but I don't know how to fly a kite’.

‘I will show you how to do it, as my mother always told me, there’s always a way around a problem. Sadly I have to go now as well because my father will be home shortly and I need to discuss something with him’.

He was secretly hoping his father was going to say he had finished with the Merchant Shipping academy for good and that he would take him to the West Indies the following week. As he mounted his horse he looked back over his shoulder and called to Kate,

‘I will see you mid-morning tomorrow. I have really have enjoyed meeting you Kate. Achoo

‘Oh Jamie, are you okay’

‘I will be fine.’ Galloping away with a big grin on his face, Kate smiled at him and waved. She enjoyed their meeting as much as he had done. Her thoughts turned to Jamie; he was so down-to-earth, not at all like most boys with well-to-do father's, who thought they were so much better than everyone else was.

Jamie trotted down the Manor’s long drive, which was lined either side by flowers and huge elm trees, leading to a large house he lived in called Compton Manor. It was impressive, with grey stone walls and several tall red-brick chimneys. It had been built almost 200 years earlier for a minor earl, that had been much smaller back then, but a succession of owners had built an addition east and the west wing. His father had purchased the property when he had married his mother, and they had hoped to fill it with children. Unfortunately, this had not come about, and Jamie remained a much loved but an only child. When he arrived home the stableman took his horse, his little dog, Peggy, was waiting at the big oak front door. His nanny, Mary, who had looked after him since his mother had died, opened the door, pulling him quickly into the large hallway. It was a beautiful room, with thick-red embossed wallpaper and a huge fireplace at the far end stacked with logs ready to be lit when the winter closed in. Mary was fifty years old and had never married but loved Jamie as if he were her son. There were a few grey hairs sprinkled among the red hair that had once been lustrous. She was always very proper, and Jamie had never seen her dressed in anything but her maid’s uniform and apron.

‘Jamie, you are late. Hurry along now you must take a bath and get into clean clothes before Edwina discovers you’re are late back. I will make an excuse for you, so go on and get ready’.

About an hour later, Jamie heard from upstairs the front door open, and Mary was greeting Mr Charles Heslop with a good evening. He was a tall, handsome man in his mid-forties with long fair hair tied back with the customary black bow. His light-blue eyes sparkled with energy, and his kind and generous nature shone through. He was well liked by all his servants, all the workers at the shipping company; he never had any problem also operating his ships, as he was known to be a fair and honest captain.

Edwina emerged from the drawing room to greet Charles and kissed him lightly on the cheek, saying, ‘Good Evening, Charles. As soon as you clean up, my love, dinner will be served’.

‘Edwina, please, I have told you before to call me Jim’.

‘No!’ Edwina exclaimed. ‘You should be called Charles, in front of the servants’.

‘All right, so be it. Charles, if it is only, in front of the servants if it will keep the peace’.

Jamie came running down the stairs excited and hugged his father. He blurted that, ‘I met a girl today from this village, and her name is Kate.’ ‘Slow down son and tell me about her after dinner and I also have a lot of good news to share with you too’.

Jim went upstairs and quickly changed from his usual working attire of heavy breeches and high boats, quickly washing in the bowl of hot water one of the servants had left ready for him. He soon joined Edwina and Jamie in the small dining room.Dinner was usually a quiet affair as Edwina disapproved of discussing business matters at the table and Jim was always full of the day’s work. Jamie wanted to hear everything about the shipyard but waited patiently until he was on his own with his father, not wanting to antagonise his stepmother’s anger. When they had eaten and the servants had removed the plates, Jamie and his father got up. Jim put his arm around his son and they went into the library to talk. They settled themselves into a pair of large comfortable leather chairs, and Jamie poured his father a glass of port. ‘Father I would like to ask you a question if I may.’

‘Go ahead son. ’Why, did you look so miserable at dinner.’

‘I dislike being called Charles as much as your mother hated being called Dorothea. She preferred being called Dorie, so why does Edwina say Charles?’

‘Because she is a snob father,’

‘I don’t think so son’.

Jamie had been thinking for a long time about speaking to his father regarding his stepmother but had been putting it off. He wanted to tell him about the arguments and shouting he often heard between Edwina and his father late in the evening after he had gone to bed and about the way Edwina treated the servants and the animals and that she always treated Mary dreadfully and had no time for him at all.

Jamie decided to summon up the courage to talk to his father about Edwina. ‘Father, do you love Edwina?’

‘That’s personal, my boy. Why do you ask that question son?’

‘Because I never see you both being affectionate towards one another, and sleeping in the same bed, as you and Mother were’.

‘It is not the same, my son. We have a friendly relationship and I wanted to make us a family again.

‘But, Father, I was happy the way we were’.

‘I take it you do not like Edwina’.

‘We have our ups and downs sometimes,’ replied Jamie tentatively. ‘Jamie, for my sake, could you try to get along with her?’

‘I will try, Father. ’With that, Jamie decided that it was best to leave the conversation for now, as he could see his father was getting upset talking about her. Jamie then told his father about him meeting Kate, to whom his father replied, ‘Son I am really happy, for you to have made a friend locally, and we will talk more on this later, but I am sorry to have to change the subject, as we have more pressing things to discuss tonight Jamie’. Jim had a lot to say to his son about his next trip. ‘My son I am taking you with me to the West Indies. The reason your fourteen now and you have passed all your midshipman exams and ships navigation courses as well, I am so proud of you.’

‘Farther I do not know what to say, I am thrilled to bits.’ But in the back of his mind thinking about how he is going to tell his new found friend they won’t see each other for months. So he decided to wait for the right opportunity.

‘My son there will be two ships on this trip. Captain Temp and his crew would be sailing the Earl of Cornwall and I have just completed the purchase of a brand new ship I recently required. Which I want you to name son because she is going to be your ship one day when I retire, relax and do some fishing’.

‘Father, I do not know what to say! I’m surprised and honoured, can we name her after my mother. Jamie always said that if he ever owned a ship, he would call her the ‘Lady Dorothea’ after his Mother.

‘I knew you would call her that, my boy’.

On Monday, they decided to christen her with that name. But they knew that it will not go down well with Edwina and they both would be in trouble.

‘Young man I am going to blame it on you, just to keep the peace! ‘They both said it together and laughed and laughed..‘Father, that’s nice of you to blame me’.

Father and son fell about laughing and then his father took another sip of port and memories of past times came flooding back. Believing this was the end of their conversation, Jamie rose from the chair to make his way to bed, but his father said,

‘Hold on there, I have not finished with you yet’ Son I want you to take note of how this ship operates at sea, as its important’ Jim said in a stern voice.

‘Of course, I will father follow your instruction.’

Jim in a softer voice ‘If we get the time on our new ship my son, let’s see if you can beat me at sword fencing’.

‘No problem father I came top of my class at fencing this year father’.

‘I see then I will look forward to you beating me then.’

Jamie was eager to listen to hear what else his father had to say.’ During the last year, I have been taking young children from the orphanage to sail on our ships. We have been teaching them to become merchant seamen, and then when the ships return sadly I have to return them all to the orphanage until the next time. The main reason there is a shortage of merchant seamen as a few of our seamen already have joined the royal navy. So my son bright and early Monday morning we will take the carriage to Portsmouth docks and I want you to go alone to the orphanage ’

‘I can do that father’ ‘It will be a good experience for you son’

Jim wants his son to see how the other half lived in squalled and have nothing in the lives and to see what these places look like, as a boy of privileges. He told Jamie that the orphanage was no more than a mile away from dockside and he was to speak to Mr Humphrey the man in charge. He wants Jamie to inform him that they were setting sail on Friday and request the boys that Charles had trained before. Also telling Jamie he needs an additional twelve boys and four girls, payment fee as normal from Heslop Merchant Shipping will follow all was explained in the letter Jamie was to hand over. However, Jim knows the boys did not see any of their pay as it went into Mr Humphrey pocket, but they enjoy the experience. An annual retainer fee is paid to keep these children from going to the wool mills when they come of age, Jim wanted the chance of taking them on as trained seamen when they are older.

‘Son I think it is a great experience for your new friend, Kate too. Maybe she would like to accompany you to the orphanage. So, ask her in the morning if she would like to go with you? She could also christen the ship, because of the ships name will be in a woman’s name, but let us keep it a secret from her for now. I think it’s an excellent idea even if I say so myself’, laughed his father ‘Oh yes, Father that's a great idea I can’t wait to see the new ship and I will ask Kate tomorrow’. ‘Now it’s time for you to go to bed, my boy’.

‘Yes, Father, I am going now. I am looking forward to Monday. Goodnight, Charles Oh sorry, Father,’ and received a clip round the ear for his cheekiness.

Chapter 2

Jamie woke the next morning, stirring lazily; he suddenly remembered he had arranged to meet Kate with his kites. He rushed to his bedroom window and pulled back the heavy blue velvet curtains. He was delighted to see a stiff breeze blowing. He hurriedly pulled on his breeches and shirt, through on his jacket; straighten it as he ran down the sweeping staircase to the kitchen. Mary was already preparing his breakfast as he quickly told her about meeting his new friend Kate. She smiled and nodded giving her approval, and filling happy for him.

‘Not so fast young man. You will get indigestion, what time are you meeting Kate today.’

‘Not until around eleven auntie but I thought I might practice for a bit on my own, It’s been a while since I flew the kites’.

Regardless of Mary’s warning, Jamie ate his bread and cheese, with a thick slice of ham quickly. He gulped his cup of milk, preferring that to the customary tea, thanked Mary who was standing there rolling her eyes at him and ran into the boot room to pull on his long brown leather boots. He flung open the door in a hurry and rushed headlong into his father.

‘Whoa! Son, what’s the big hurry?’

‘Oh father I am going to meet Kate about Monday and show her how to fly a kite’.

‘A Kite what next, why don’t you on this lovely morning take Kate for a picnic on the beach, that's a way of getting to know her better than flying Kites son,’ his father trying not to laugh. ‘Use the old dirt track that leads to the beach, you can take the horse and buggy, but you must keep away from those cliffs’.

‘Thanks, Father that’s a lovely idea, but I thought Edwina would be using the buggy today to see her brother’.

‘I will have a word with her. She can use the carriage instead. You go and tell the coachman to saddle up the buggy and I will tell Mary to prepare you a picnic basket’.

Jamie was delighted as he ran out to tell the coachman. Then whistled for his dog and ran off fast towards the village green but to his surprise, Kate was already waiting by the main gates. ‘Hello, Jamie that’s a lovely dog! What’s its name?’

Jamie was a bit slightly out of breath, but he managed to say, ‘Hello Kate this is Peggy. She is a Staffordshire terrier, I also have two cats at home, called Molly and Spike and my father allows me to take them all with me when we go sailing, as they are all good ratters’.

Then after he got his breath back he explained. ‘I am going with my father to Portsmouth docks on Monday, two reason my father wants me to go to the local orphanage to select some young children to use as deckhands on his ships, as they are sailing on Friday. The other reason is my father has just brought a new ship so they will be having a Naming Ceremony called a ship's christening to give the ship a name. It’s part of a tradition of naming a ship is a way of bringing the ship good luck, my father let me decide the name so I have decided to call the ship The Lady Dorothea, Kate I would like to come with me as well.’’

‘Jamie, that’s lovely, your mother would have been so proud of you calling it in her name’.

‘So Kate, would you like you to come with us on Monday if you can?’

‘I would love to go, Jamie, but I will have to ask my grandparents permission first. I‘ll just run over and ask them now. Can you wait here for me?’She ran off across the green, in only a few short minutes returned with a smile on her face and out of breath but managed to say.

‘They don’t mind as they have met your father before and so admire him for what he is doing for the community, especially paying to keep the village vicarage school running’.’

‘Wonderful! We will be leaving early Monday morning, is that alright? When we have finished at the orphanage, we can go and watch the new boat being christened. ’

‘That’s fine. I will be there’.

‘I hope you don’t mind, but there has been a change of plan for today. Instead of flying kites, I am taking you for a picnic on the beach if that is alright with you’.

‘That’s lovely my Grandparents know I am with you today, but Jamie I would have liked to fly a kite’.

‘So you shall Kate’.

Luckily, there was a young boy on the green flying his kite, and Jamie asked if he could borrow it for a few minutes. The boy handed it to Jamie, and whilst it was in the air, he gave it to Kate, he asked her shyly. ‘May I put my arm over your shoulder to help control it’?

Kate agreed and soon got the hang of it, but she was surprised at how strong the kite pulled her when the wind was blustery. Jamie looked at Kate and winked, ‘I think I’ll tie you to that kite, but then I’m sure you would have taken off with it’.

‘I am sure I would,’ she replied with a smile, enjoying herself. ‘Come on, Kate; time to go for that picnic’.

They returned the kite to its owner and went to Jamie’s house. As they got to the stables, the coachman said,

‘Sorry Sir, Lady Edwina wants the buggy today, so I’m getting the carriage ready for you, your food basket is inside’.

Jamie thanked him, and just as he was about to find Kate, who had wandered off to the stables to pet the horses. Suddenly He was abruptly halted in his tracks by a sudden shout coming from a nearby window.

‘Take the carriage you little brat’

He knows by the voice, it was Edwina shouting but ignored her. Kate overheard and was astounded, remembering what Jamie had said, she too guessed it was Edwina shouting, but decided not to say anything to Jamie. ‘Can I sit up there next to you and Peggy? Kate asked after coming out of the stable.

‘Sorry, Kate, but it is safer for you to ride inside the coach’. She reluctantly agreed as he made sure she had got into the carriage. He climbed up onto the seat with Peggy; the coachman passed him the reins, telling him to be careful.

They set off towards the sandy beach. Jamie took his telescope with him in the hope of spotting the new ship. He knew the best view would be near the edge of the cliff. He was reluctant to disobey his father’s instructions, but curiosity got the better of him. ‘Kate, I am going over near this cliff to see if I can see the new ship so it’s going to be a lot bumpier leaving the track.’

However, just as the carriage was negotiating a slight incline it caught a pothole, unnoticed by Jamie, preoccupied with his father’s new ship, the bolt harnessing the carriage to the horses had jumped out. Jamie had no choice but to let go of the horse’s reins leaving him and Peggy sitting on top of the carriage. By now the two horses trotted off luckily all they wanted to graze on the long grass. Jamie was horrified as he felt the carriage start to run back down the slope towards the cliff edge. He shouted at Kate to jump out, but she was too terrified to jump. Screaming hysterically in the back of the carriage when she realised what was happening. He struggled to keep control of the coach's handbrake, as it was his only chance of slowing down the carriage. His concern now was where the carriage was heading. He knows they wouldn't survive if they went over the cliff. Still wrestling with the brake the carriage headed nearer and nearer the cliff edge. Jamie gasped in horror as the carriage was about to plummet down to the beach he had no option but to jump off when all of a sudden the carriage juddered to a halt. The wheel had wedged up