Separated by the War: Pirates

By Richard D. Arnold

Separated by the War: Pirates is the prequel of the Separated by the War series. It is the story of Jonah Riley, from his childhood on the Rock Farm to becoming one of the youngest sea captains, serving as a privateer interdicting pirates and Flower Society on the high seas. He left the sea to raise his family on a secluded farm far from the sea until a skirmish between Yankee and Rebel soldiers seriously injured him and killed his wife and children, and separated him from surviving members of his family. Returning to the sea, he battled the evil Flower Society and other pirates in a never-ending conflict with pirates. Learning of the survival of his children and their conflict with the Flower Society, he pursues them across the war-torn US continent.

The previous books are Separated by the War: The Cave, Separated by the War: Steamboats, and Separated by the War: Wagontrains. The stories tell of the separation of the Riley family on their secluded farm, the rescue of the twin boys to be raised in the North and South, Jonahs survival and return to the sea, and the mysterious survival and adventures of June Riley in her search for her uncle in the high desert in the Big Bend country of Texas and on to the high Rocky Mountains.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524671150

Richard D. Arnold

Richard D. Arnold had a forty year career in the healthcare field, ten years as a microbiologist and thirty years as hospital administrator in small hospitals in rural Texas communities. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Texas and M.A. from Texas Christian University and is a retired Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has traveled extensively in Texas, Arizona, and Tennessee, hiking through the deserts of Texas and Arizona and the hills and creeks of Tennessee. Many of the landmarks, firearms, and adventures were from his personal observations and tales from family members, associates/friends, and creations of his mind. He is currently retired and lives with his wife, Janice, of fifty years plus in a small rural community southwest of San Antonio, Texas. She is a retired elementary school teacher.

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2017 Richard D. Arnold. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 02/08/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7116-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7117-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7115-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017901917

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 IN THE BEGINNING

CHAPTER 2 ON THE HIGH SEAS

CHAPTER 3 THE FLOWER SOCIETY

CHAPTER 4 NEW ORLEANS, USA

CHAPTER 5 PIRATES ON THE HORIZON

CHAPTER 6 THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

CHAPTER 7 PRIVATEERS

CHAPTER 8 ENTERING THE RIO GRANDE

CHAPTER 9 DECISIONS, DECISIONS

CHAPTER 10 GOING WEST

CHAPTER 11 THE WHITE MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER 12 THE CABIN

CHAPTER 13 THE FAIRY PRINCESS

CHAPTER 14 THE WOOD SHOP

CHAPTER 15 FRENCH TRAPPERS

CHAPTER 16 COAL FOR THE FORGE

CHAPTER 17 LITTLE JACK GOES TO HOPE

CHAPTER 18 FRENCH TRAPPER RETURN

CHAPTER 19 GROWING UP ON THE FARM

CHAPTER 20 PHILLIP JUAREZ

CHAPTER 21 WASHINGTON, D. C.

CHAPTER 22 A NEW ASSIGNMENT

CHAPTER 23 PRIVATEERS ON THE SEAS

CHAPTER 24 GROWING THE FLEET

CHAPTER 25 UP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

CHAPTER 26 RETURN TO THE CAVE

CHAPTER 27 THE GILDED CAGE

CHAPTER 28 NEW BEGINNINGS

Dedication Page:

This book is dedicated to the memory of

Dr. Al Tucker

Educator, Mentor and Friend

Books written by Richard D. Arnold

Separated by the War: The Cave

Separated by the War: Steamboats

Separated by the War: Wagontrain

Separated by the War: Pirates

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Picture of the Author: Richard D. Arnold

CHAPTER 1

IN THE BEGINNING

H is earliest memories were of a small farm in the highlands, surrounded by nine brothers and sisters and Papa and Mama. His oldest brother, Joshua was a tall slender young man with blond hair, blue eyes and a neatly trimmed blond beard. He was a seaman and seldom at home, but when he was at home he was the center of attention especially to Jonah.

Mama and Papa were both tall and slender, like Joshua. Papa’s eyes were blue and his hair was light brown as was his beard. Mama had blue eyes and blond hair. The other children all had blue eyes and hair the color of new straw to light brown. There were two sets of twins and six years between the youngest and Jonah, thus his Mama’s nickname for him, her little surprise.

The small farm was located on a rocky hillside near the seashore. The sea was on one side of the small farm and rolling hills as far as the eye could see in the other directions. Neighbors, most of whom were family members occupied every parcel of land on the landward sides. Everyone worked hard to scratch out a living. A small harbor a mile away was surrounded by a fairly large fishing village. Fishermen went out every day and brought in their catch that was quickly bought up by the people in the village and in the surrounding countryside. Any excess was dried, smoked, and salted down and transported to more distant markets on a regular basis.

Each evening farmers brought their produce to the village in exchange for the fresh fish that was brought in by the fishermen. Sunday was a day of rest for everyone. Each Sunday started with the ringing of the church bell and worship of God in the church building. The rock building of the church was surrounded by a cemetery that dated back for several hundred years.

Papa enjoyed taking his family to church on Sundays. He loved to read his Bible in front of the congregation and would sometimes lead the singing of the worship songs. Occasionally he would stand before the congregation and deliver a short sermon, usually when the regular preacher was absent. Jonah learned early in life that his name and the names of his brothers and sisters came from the Bible. There was of course, Joshua, Peter, James and John. Then there was Mary, Martha, Tabatha and Ruth followed by David and then six years later along came Mama little surprise, Jonah. They were born in that order with James and John as twins as were Tabatha and Ruth. Mama was Joan and Papa was called Jack.

They lived in a rock house surrounded by twenty acres of rocky hillside. The farm was surrounded by a rock wall that was made up of the rocks that grew from the hillside each time the plow broke the surface. It was a constant chore for all the children to pick up the rocks and deposit them in the rock wall that surrounded the small farm. Jonah’s first chore was to pick up the rocks that were turned up by the plow that his brothers guided through the soil behind an ox. He carried them to the wall and dropped them in place. The wall had grown from nothing to a white barrier of two to three feet in height in most places and over three feet in others. Due to their diligence in building their fence they also expanded the rock cottage as the family grew. The children shared a room with one another; they had a large central family room, large kitchen and dining area and covered porches and walkways.

They raised potatoes in one field, corn from the new world in another, wheat, barley, hemp for cloth and ropes, and oats in others plus a large vegetable garden. The soil was dark and rich and would grow anything that they planted in addition to a surplus of rocks from the size of Jonah’s fist to the size of his head. They had poultry of all kinds, a couple of milk cows and a sty of pigs. They also raised a few sheep for the wool that they made into warm clothes and there were calves from the mother cows.

The Riley family farmed twenty acres of land that extended from the top of a small hill to about a hundred feet from the edge of a rock bluff that overlooked the sea, thirty feet below. A small cove below the bluff ran into a cave that extended into the rocky bluff. The sea ran twenty to thirty feet into the cave at high tide. The cave beyond the sea extended in three directions. Several rooms well above the high water level ran upward under the strip of land that bordered the rock farm.

Papa kept a small fishing boat in the cave. He and Joshua or the other boys took it out often and brought the catch to the farm for feeding his family. He did not try to take his catch to the village but concentrated on fishing close to shore near his land. When he was through fishing for the day, the boat was hauled from the water and stored in the cave far from the water’s level.

There was a narrow path that led from the top of the bluff overlooking the sea to the small cove. There was another entrance to the cave that was obscured from view by a cluster of large boulders on the edge of the farm. This entrance was kept hidden and used only for emergencies or if the sea was too rough and there was a need to go to one of the rooms in the cave. Papa used the rooms to store items that he did not want the rest of the world to know about.

He had been a soldier in his youth and returned from war with his weapons and a small collection of valuables. They were wrapped in waterproof leathers and stored deep in one of the caves. In the event there was a surplus in a crop, he stored the surplus in one of the caves until it was needed to feed his family or to exchange for coin or trade.

Jack Riley, Papa, was the youngest son of a large family. The older sons had inherited the larger, richer parcels of land. Jack had left home at the age of fifteen and spent the next ten years as a soldier. He had been stationed most of that time on foreign soil. Upon returning to his native home he settled on what the family termed The Rock Farm, as his inheritance. He married a young woman of eighteen from the village who was not of his family and came from one of the hard working farming families.

His brothers enjoyed teasing him about the wanderlust of his youth and acceptance of The Rock Farm as his inheritance. Their teasing turned to admiration over the years as he turned the small farm into a highly productive operation. His acquisition of knowledge and skill in foreign lands gave him many advantages that contributed to his success.

One of the skills was in the distillation of spirits. He learned to make all kinds of liquors that were highly prized by the gentry. He kept his knowledge secret and used it to gain wealth that would have otherwise been unavailable to him. His raising of a number of unusual grains that he used in the making of high quality liquors contributed to this secret knowledge. He built a small but efficient distillery in one of the secret caves and stored his production there. Using the small fishing boat he transported the finished products to the port and shipped them to markets distant from the small village where they were in high demand and brought high prices.

His sons were taught these secrets including additional skills in warfare with his weapons, hand to hand combat, and tactics used by specially trained combatants. Working together Jack Riley and his sons were able to prosper well on The Rock Farm.

When the first winter freeze of the year set it Jack’s family shifted from their normal farming activities to the loading and shipping of the year’s harvest in bottles and kegs. They loaded the fishing boat with all of the distillery production that was stored in the cave. Jack, Joshua and two of the older boys, including the twins, James and John rowed the fishing boat through the rough seas to the small harbor. Jack and Joshua booked passage with their cargo on one of the ships scheduled to leave port for France or Spain. Once in the foreign port they off loaded the cargo and deliver it to the special customers who had ordered it. In some cases the order had been standing for two years. They were always welcomed enthusiastically and paid the exceptionally high prices agreed upon at the time the order was placed, with bonuses added more times than not. They returned home with empty containers and ingredients and confirmed orders for additional shipments.

When back in port they rowed the boat back to the cave and unloaded the materials that they needed for the next year’s production. Sometimes there was a surplus that had been left in the cave due to the limited capacity of the fishing boat. This surplus was usually included in the next year’s shipment. Jack and then Joshua carried the gold that had been received in payment for the shipment. They stored the gold in a strong box that was kept in another cave, well hidden among the rocks.

When they returned home before the Christmas season the hog slaughtering season was upon them. The smoke house was soon full of sausage, ham, bacon and other pork products. They usually smoked and salted down some of the larger poultry, and a calf. Most of the meat was stored to meet the needs of the family for the coming year. Sometimes they were able to take some of it to the village to be sold or traded for other products that would be needed by the growing family.

After the first of the year when the weather was the foulest, the family loaded the largest wagon and hitched up four oxen and made a two week trip into the mountains. The larger kids walked and the younger ones bundled up and rode in the wagon that was loaded with camping supplies.

After several days of travel they stopped at an isolated rock cottage in a secluded valley. The family was met by a tall, slender man and a short plump woman and a half dozen large wolf hounds.

Sergeant Riley, it is good to see you. There are several nice roe bucks grazing in the valley off and on this year as well as plenty of mountain sheep among the high crags. Come into the warmth and let’s visit awhile, the old man said.

They spent the better part of an hour visiting with the elderly man and the woman fused over the children and Mama. She served them all hot tea and ginger snaps and chatted the whole time about how much they had grown since last year. The children made pets of the huge dogs, rolling and playing on the floor in front of the fireplace. After an hour or so they piled back in the wagon or walked beside it as the old man gave Papa a strong handshake and bear hug. Papa left several large bottles of spirits and a small bag of coins.

They traveled for another day until they passed through a large forest of oak and hickory until they came to an ancient stone castle ruin that had been built overlooking a long wide valley.

The older man had been Jack’s commanding officer during his tours of duty in the military. He had been wounded and retired to his family holding in the mountains. The plump woman was his wife of over forty years.

The family set up a camp in the keep of the ancient castle and let the oxen graze on the lush winter grass within the keep. Peat fires and crude but warm shelters kept everyone warm. As soon as the camp was secure Papa brought out his weapons and spent the next few days teaching everyone the proper care of the pistols, rifles, and blades; how to melt pellets of lead and mold the lead into proper size bullets. They gathered guano from bat dropping within the castle and mixed it with other ingredients to make gunpowder. When satisfied that everyone had been trained in accordance with their ages, Papa led them to the hunt.

Each morning they left the ruins before daylight and hiked down into the valley. They hunted until the sun was well up in the sky. The first day they bagged a mountain sheep and hung it for camp meat. Within a few days they had bagged several more mountain sheep which they cleaned and quartered and let freeze.

When they returned to the keep and completed their chores processing the kill of the day, everyone carried a tool and they walked into the hard wood forest they had passed through coming to the castle. The located the stacks of wood that they had cut the previous year and left to cure. Working each day they cut and stacked the wood that would cure and be ready to be used next year.

When they had cut and stacked enough hardwood to meet their needs for the coming year they shifted their attention to a peat bog located near the far end of the valley. They cut and stacked peat to dry and cure for the coming year, to replace the peat that was stacked and dried for this year.

Most years they bagged one of the huge red roe deer that lived in the long, wide valley. When the meat was ready to be transported they placed it in the bottom of the wagon, covered the meat with the skins and then covered the skins and meat with the cured wood that they had cut the previous year. The back end of the wagon was reserved for the cured peat that had been cut the previous year along with several bags of guano for the making of gun powder when they returned home. They replaced the peat they had used and finished preparing to go home.

They loaded the camping equipment and supplies back in the wagon and started the oxen back to the Rock Farm. They stopped for a spell at the stone cottage of the retired soldier and his wife. They left one of the processed sheep with the old man and his wife as they left their favorite hunting grounds. They also left some of the cut wood and peat for their fireplace.

Although there were sometimes threats made by governmental officials dealing with those who hunted the Kings’ animals, there was never such a threat leveled toward Jack and his family. Upon returning to their small farm all the meat was smoke and salt cured and quickly stashed in one of the rooms in the cave. They enjoyed the bounty of the hunt in addition to their own raised animals. They were able to do so without raising the interest of governmental officials.

They were careful to include the hides with their domestic hides and used them to make items for the family, shoes, boots, aprons, harnesses, and such like. There was never a record of his owning firearms so there was no suspension of there being gun powder stored in one of the caves.

The tax man came by each year to collect what he considered his fair portion. Jack would meet with the tax man and his minions in the barn. He would break out a special bottle of spirits that he assured the tax man that he had acquired from one of the ships that frequented foreign ports for the sole purpose of honoring the tax man and his assistants. Half way through the consumption of the bottle of spirits the tax for that year was passed to the tax collector in a small leather pouch, in gold. Business was sweet among friends.

When Jonah was five he started to school in the small village. The four older boys had left home by that time in search of their fortune and future.

The oldest son Joshua signed on with one of the merchant ships and was learning to be a seaman. Peter joined the military and was following in the footsteps of Jack and the twins, James and John left by ship to the new world. Joshua returned home when his ship was in port but nothing had been heard from the others. Mary and Martha were planning their weddings to farmers on the far side of the harbor. They had met in church and would continue to be part of the community in their new lives. Tabatha and Ruth were completing their last year of school and David, who was thirteen, was beginning to discover girls. With Jonah in school Jack and Joan were once again alone on the farm.

School was a new adventure. Although he had been taught to read and do some math at home by his brothers and sisters he knew that he had lots to learn. There were three teachers in the small school. The main text for learning was the Bible although there were a number of other books available. Among the social skills that he learned quickly was the art of fighting. He had been picking up rocks, many almost as big as he was, since he could walk. He had also been taught by sisters and brothers many of the combat skills that Papa had taught them. Papa had done his part to assure that his youngest son could defend himself.

As they walked home from the first day of school, an eight year old cousin walked up to Jonah and hit him with his fist, You are too little to go to school with us. Go back to the Rock Farm until you grow up, the boy said.

The blow was a surprise although it had little effect on Jonah, I’m almost as old as you are, Sean. Why did you hit me? Jonah responded to the blow.

Because I wanted to, Sean said and started swinging both fists as he attacked.

Jonah absorbed each blow with a shocked expression on his face, stepping back from Sean. By that time a number of children surrounded them egging them on.

When Sean continued his attack, Jonah stepped into the punches and delivered one of his own to Sean’s midsection. The boy immediately gasped and fell backward holding his stomach. Jonah backed up as Sean went down. You have no reason to attack me, Sean. It’s time to get home and do our chores.

Okay, Sean said between gasping for air returning to his feet. Where did you learn to fight like that?

I’ve got lots of brothers and sisters, Jonah said.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. See you tomorrow, Sean said as he got up and ran to catch up with his brothers and sisters. It was a long time before anyone tried to start a fight with Jonah Riley.

With only four children left at home, Papa had to take on more of the work load. Everyone still did their part and performed all the tasks it took to run the twenty acre farm. The need for higher production was less with fewer mouths to feed. Jonah took to school with a passion for learning. He enjoyed learning of men who had traveled the world. He also learned new languages and customs of the seaman who came to the small town from time to time.

The children of his older sisters who had married among the local farmers were soon regular visitors on the small farm. When Jonah was fifteen years old Joshua returned home as the first mate of his ship. He was also a half owner of the ship and well on his way of becoming the captain. The captain was planning to retire from the sea in a few years. Joshua offered Jonah the opportunity to join him on his next voyage.

With his mother and father’s blessings and a small bag of coins Jonah joined his brother on board his ship as they sailed from the small port to explore the world. On board the ship he soon learned to navigate by the stars, he met the other members of the crew and learned their various duties, languages, and customs. In the ports where they landed they off loaded some of their cargo and took on others and then they were off to the next port. Sometimes there were new crewmen as other crewmen decided to stay in the port. New crewmen meant new opportunities to learn new things.

In two years Joshua bought out the other owners and the captain retired to his native port. Joshua became the captain and sole owner of the vessel. He continued to train Jonah and moved him from crewman to a young officer before the mast. His training intensified as a young officer and the demand on him increased. He enjoyed the challenge and was favored among the crew, as well as among the officers.

CHAPTER 2

ON THE HIGH SEAS

P iracy was a constant threat no matter where on the high seas a captain decided to sail. Joshua tried to confine his voyages to friendly ports and his cargo to those things that merchants sought for their clients. Although he had few heavy cannon on board his merchant ship, his crew and officers were well trained in their use. While at sea they trained in the maintenance of all their weapons from cannon to daggers and firearms. A significant stock of weapons, powder, and shells were maintained.

Newly developed cannons and shells were included among the arsenal that was maintained on board. Explosive cannon balls, grape shot, cluster shot, and high velocity shells were kept in stock and the crew trained in their use. New fire arms with smooth bore, rifled, and long barrel muskets and pistols were included. Daggers, swords, and other sharp blades were issued to each member of the crew. Joshua treated ever member of the crew with the same respect that he treated his brother. Their loyalty to him was just as strong.

In addition to weaponry the crew trained in maximizing the speed of the wind driven vessel. Although the ship was designed to carry large volumes of cargo the crew learned to stow the cargo in such a manner that the ship could travel as fast as possible and to respond to the helm most effectively. Sometimes it was better to outrun distant ships rather than to make contact with possible attackers.

Ship ho! from the observation nest high above the deck of the ship was an automatic signal for all to man their most defensive positions and to hoist the maximum sails to leave the approaching ship behind. Orders were given in a crisp and meaningful manner so that everyone knew what to do in the event the nearby vessel was a potential threat. It was seldom that a Ship ho! from the crows nest ended in their being overtaken by a threatening faster ship.

After five years on board Jonah heard the first Ship ho! from the lookout that was not a drill or for a ship that was on the far horizon. The approaching ship slipped out of a fog bank in which visibility was limited and other means of detection had failed to warn them. The approaching vessel was fast and bristled with gun ports, flying a pirate flag. Upon the sounding of alarm, all members of the crew responded to general quarters. The cannon were loaded with explosive shell and every crewman was issued firearms, powder, and shot as well as the blade they carried all the time.

Joshua issued the orders to turn the ship toward the pirate ship and under general quarters they approached the threatening ship head on at top speed ready for battle. The pirate ship was baring down on them but unable to fire their guns at the merchant ship since it was directly in front of it on a collusion course. As Joshua turned his ship sharply to port the cannon facing the approaching ship started firing, raking the deck of the pirate ship with cluster shot. As the pirate ship started to turn to bring its guns to bear, the merchant ship changed to explosive shells that hit the bow, gun ports, and mast of the pirate ship. With the mast and rigging damaged the pirate ship was less responsive so that when the merchant ship swung back toward the pirate ship its bow continued to be pointed toward the merchant ship, unable to bring their cannon to bear.

The pirate ship continued to turn sluggishly trying to bring its cannon to bear on the merchant ship. As it did Joshua changed to grape shot that tore through the side of the pirate ship driving consecutive clusters of grape shot into the interior of the ship followed by explosive shell resulting in explosions below the deck. As the pirate ship continued to turn, the merchant ship continued to concentrate its fire on the gun ports along the pirate ship’s side with grape shot followed by explosive shell. The cannon fire from the pirate ship was ineffective as the pirates were unable to bring their cannon fully to bear on the merchant ship. Under full sail the merchant ship reversed course and pulled away from the pirate ship until out of range of the pirate cannon. They circled around the crippled ship and were soon firing on the stern and the rudder controls with explosive shells. The secondary explosions below deck and the explosions of the rudder controls brought the pirate ship to a stand still.

Joshua turned his ship away from the pirate ship and sailed to a position directly behind the pirate ship. Turning broadside they bombarded the pirate ship with explosive shell. The pirate ship was no longer trying to turn its gun ports toward the merchant ship. A flag of surrender was raised as Joshua continued to send explosive shells into the stern of the pirate ship.

Demanding the surrender of the Captain of the ship, Joshua discontinued the bombardment. He lowered a lifeboat and going aboard the pirate ship he accepted the surrender of the pirate ship. With the captain of the pirate ship in his custody, the merchant ship pulled along side the pirate ship and a boarding party crossed over onto the pirate ship. The newly developed explosive shells had devastated the crew of the pirate ship. Most of them were dead or injured. The captain and first mate of the pirate ship had both been injured. The captain died from his wounds later that day and the first mate completed the surrender of his crew and ship.

The merchant ship had received damage from their run past the pirate ship but nothing that impeded its ability to maneuver or to fight. With both ships bound together, the surviving members of the pirate ship began treating their injuries and to put out the fires below deck. After hours of intensive efforts all of the fires were out and repairs began to maintain the seaworthiness of the vessel. The rudder control mechanisms were repaired and damage to the mast and rigging were repaired so that the ship was able to limp into port with the merchant ship sailing along side.

Most of the officers were either dead or severely injured so that there were no principals to be placed under arrest except the few surviving crewmembers. The authorities took the surviving members of the pirate crew into custody to stand trial for their crimes.

The responsibility for the disposition of the pirate ship and its contents fell upon Joshua.

It was obvious that the pirate ship had been busy prior to attacking Joshua’s ship. The contents of several ships were found in the holding area of the ship. Joshua was able to dispose of the cargo and to use the proceeds to completely overhaul the pirate ship, replacing the mast, rigging, rudder controls and all damage they had been inflicted on the pirate ship. After most of a year in dry dock the pirate ship was ready to return to the sea, as a well armed merchant ship under the newly appointed captain Jonah Riley, one of the youngest captains on the high seas.

Joshua was listed as the owner of the newly commissioned vessel. It was lighter and faster than most other ships and with the new rudder controls, more maneuverable. Although not able to carry the quantity of cargo as Joshua’s first ship it could carry enough to be an effective cargo ship. Jonah and Joshua made sure that its many cannon were properly fitted to handle the latest munitions, explosives, and weapons. A number of Joshua’s officers and crew joined with Jonah on the pirate ship. They registered both ships under new names, Riley’s Kin I and II.

There was a noticeable increase in pirate activity on the high seas so for the next five years they sailed together with neither in port at the same time. On the high seas they separated until almost below the curve of the earth from each other. They communicated at dark each night by using lanterns in the crow’s nest, exchanging reports of their progress and any occurrence of the day. When either spotted sails they both responded by altering course away from the approaching vessel. They did not want to meet another vessel while under way on the high seas. While thus separated they both ran drills so that both crews were always alert and prepared to go to general quarters to fight off any attacker.

They entered the transatlantic trade and began crossing the Atlantic Ocean to new ports on the American continent, in the North as well as South. Although more dangerous, the revenues generated were significantly higher as cargo from both sides of the ocean were in high demand in the other markets. There were several close calls with pirates on both sides of the ocean. They were able to outdistance the pirates or any other vessel that approached them on the high seas.

They sailed into the port of New Orleans with a heavy cargo of boxes marker Farm Equipment. The cargo was quickly offloaded onto large wagons and they quickly left the pier. The next day both ships were loaded with cotton and sugar. When completely loaded they set sail for Spain. The crossing was uneventful and they arrived in Spain with the Riley’s Kin I in port and the II circling outside the port.

Joshua was preparing to meet with some businessmen in an effort to secure another shipment of merchandise to be shipped to New Orleans. Although business had been brisk, he had noticed a slump in shipment of local products. He was considering purchasing two ship loads of finished goods to be resold in North America. Although risky they had done quite well in previous similar ventures.

As the last of the cargo was off loaded an ornate white carriage pulled by six matching white horses came to a stop off the gang plank. One of the attendants on the carriage stepped down and stepped onto the gangway and stepped off onto the deck.

He said in Spanish, I have a message for the Captain of the ship.

Captain Joshua Riley was standing by the large rudder control wheel. He stood and said in Spanish, I am Captain Joshua Riley. How may I be of service to you?

We would like to commission your ship and would like to visit with you about the arrangements. Would you join me in my carriage to discuss details that must be kept confidential? the messenger said.

Joshua followed the messenger as he walked to the carriage. He opened the door and allowed Joshua to enter. Inside was the most beautiful woman that Joshua had ever seen. He entered the carriage and sat on the seat facing the beautiful woman.

Her eyes and hair were dark with highlights that sparkled like diamonds in Joshua’s mind. I am Joshua Riley. How can I be of service to you, Milady? he managed to breath.

Thank you for meeting with me, Captain Riley. I would prefer to withhold my name for the moment if you do not mind. My family has decided to relocate from Spain to South America and would like to do so without people discovering what we are doing. There are almost one hundred of us plus our furniture and property. We have holding in Mexico and South America and would like to move to the new world and start new lives. Can you help us? she said.

Yes, we can accommodate you. We have a second ship lying off shore with a load of cotton and sugar. There is plenty of room for that many people and cargo. Are you in any danger? Is anyone trying to harm you and your family? Joshua asked.

Yes there is that potential problem? My grandfather and the king were friends in their youth and now they are enemies. They have reached an agreement that my grandfather will forfeit his holdings in Spain and will take his family and move to the new world. The king has agreed to give him several land grants in the new world. He is to take all his family and go there to settle and live in peace. Grandfather is afraid that the king is impatient and wants him to leave right away. Is there any way that you can help us? When I learned that you are from a foreign port I thought that you might be willing to take on such cargo, she pleaded.

My other ship will be here shortly after I leave the port. How soon would you like to leave? Joshua said.

As of last week the king has given us a fortnight to be gone. Grandfather thinks that he will not wait that long to strike. Most of our possessions are already in storage in a nearby warehouse and our people are ready to leave on a moment’s notice. We have sufficient provisions for the journey ready to take on board. We are willing to give you one of the land grants and gold to cover the cost of your ship. Two ships would make the voyage less crowded for all but we must leave right away, she responded.

Your offer is acceptable. I have offloaded my cargo and we are taking on provisions at this time. If you can begin loading half of your cargo and family immediately we can leave at high tide and my other ship can come to port and begin offloading its cargo of cotton and sugar. It can take on supplies and the remainder of your cargo and family and be gone the next day. Your family members must go below deck and remain below deck until we are well at sea at which time we can make any modifications that we need to make to assure that everyone is as comfortable as possible. Do you have a specific destination in mind? Joshua asked.

Yes, Grandfather has been to the new world a number of times and he knows where he would like to go. He has made arrangement for transporting everything inland. He has also purchased a quantity of hardwood lumber that you can use as cargo for your return voyage, she said.

That is mighty thoughtful of him. It sounds like we have a deal. When can I have the pleasure of meeting with your Grandfather to finalize arrangement? Joshua asked.

I have heard every word. We are ready to begin right away, a voice answered from beside and behind the beautiful woman. The covering of the seat to her left pulled aside as the seat behind the curtain slid into place beside her. Seated in the sliding seat was an elderly gentleman, dressed in a suit that matched the fabric of the seat on which the beautiful woman sat.

Please pardon the subterfuge, the elderly man said. When my granddaughter brought her idea to me, I had my people check you out and we decided to contact you immediately.

But we arrived in port late yesterday afternoon. I was amazed that we were able to unload our cargo so quickly. It usually takes several days, Joshua said.

We did not know that you have another ship. Two ships will make the trip less crowded, that will be better for all concerned, Grandfather said. We would like to hire both ships if we can get out of port as soon as possible.

We can begin immediately, Joshua said as he shook hands with the elderly gentleman. After the handshake the beautiful woman placed her hand in Joshua’s who brought it to his lips and kissed it. He was blushing as he stepped from the carriage.

She followed him from the carriage which left immediately. May I come aboard and see my new home for the next few weeks? she asked.

Joshua led her across the passage way to the Captain’s quarters.

These are my quarters and office. You may leave anything here and it will be here when we return. I will be happy to give you a tour of the ship, Joshua said.

She was carrying a large handbag from which he took out several bags of coins and several bound folders. Thank you, Captain. These are the payments we agreed upon and the land grant papers. Upon my Grandfather’s signature and seal they are yours, she said.

Joshua placed everything on the roll top desk and closed the top. We can conclude these matters when your Grandfather gets here, he said.

He turned to several officers standing watch outside his office. Gentlemen, recall all hands. We have a load of approximately fifty people of all ages and their furniture and property. Please make them comfortable below deck and stow their property in the cargo hold. They will begin arriving immediately and we plan to sail at high tide.

High tide will be at sunup in the morning, one of the men said.

That’s right. We will have a busy night. Aren’t you glad that we took on provisions as soon as we landed last night? Joshua asked.

He turned to lead the beautiful woman on the tour when the first of several loaded wagons and men arrived. The officers and crewmen jumped to as he started the tour.

The wagon had traveled no more than two hundred yards from a large dockside warehouse. It was followed by a dozen assorted size young men who began to immediately unload and carry the freight onto the ship.

My name is Margarita Bourbon. My grandfather is William Bourbon and my parents are Louisa and Victorio Bourbon. Welcome to the Bourbon family. I hope that we will have a long and wonderful relationship, she said.

Welcome to Riley’s Kin I. You will see Riley’s Kin II when we change places tomorrow, Joshua replied.

They were soon joined by Grandfather, William Bourbon as he noted the placement of the cargo in the hold. The second deck was being cordoned off with temporary dividers as the first of the Bourbon family began to arrive. As the sun dropped in the west lanterns were lit throughout the ship and pier. The whole area was a hive of activity throughout the night.

When it was sufficiently dark one of the crew climbed into the crow’s nest and exchanged messages with II who was in a holding pattern off shore.

The last of the cargo and passengers were on board as the sun began to peek above the eastern horizon. The I was freed of its mooring and began to raise more sails as it pulled away from the pier. As it headed for the mouth of the harbor the II was passing near the far shore. Both were taking advantage of the high tide to maneuver into and out of the harbor. The II quickly moved into the recently vacated position on the pier. As the crew opened the doors to below deck the men on the shore began off loading the cotton and sugar cargo. Before the last of the cargo had been off loaded passengers, their possession, and ships supplies were being brought on board. Jonah finished his business with the harbor master and the merchants who had purchased the cotton and sugar cargo had completed their transactions. Jonah placed the bag of coins and appropriate document in his safe. He studied his map briefly and returned to the deck of meet the passengers coming aboard.

As the sun descended below the western sky, the last of the passengers was on board. There continued to be wagons coming and going bringing household furniture and other possessions to the hold. As the tide began flowing the II slipped its mooring and began to pull away from the pier. The last item to be loaded was the tall, white carriage with the sliding, hideaway passenger seat. They rolled it on board and lashed it to the deck to keep it from rolling around. The horses were secured below deck.

The final message as darkness deepened was, make full sails as soon as possible. We will meet at the following coordinates in three days.

Jonah set all his sails and headed towards the coordinates as soon as he cleared the harbor. The hastily erected