VII. Joining the Pack
"Ay!"
The Spaniard, choking for a moment, was about to fall on top of me, dead. In a quick maneuver, I slid away, allowing my sword to pierce the floor, just barely missing my neck. Someone had attacked him from behind.
"Gryphon!"
"Make haste—lest we'll both be left behind!"
Why did he seem so cross? I wondered as I pulled out my sword. We both scrambled up the ladder, dodging and attacking any other men coming our way.
"Here comes 'Gryphon' and Smith!" I heard Lon shout.
The men were calling for us to climb aboard. Ben and Lon threw us ropes for us to make it across the quarterdeck, onto our own ship.
"That was a close one!" Ben remarked. "Any further away and the rope wouldn't have made it."
"What the buggering hell were you doing?!" Gosnold demanded. "Did you not hear me order the men back to our ship?!"
"I saw the men returning, but thought I could find more treasure."
He hesitated before responding. "Smith, these Spaniards are preparing to blow down our ship rather than surrender. You have to listen out for orders. When I order the men to 'retreat,' you retreat. You might not be so fortunate the next time."
"Right, Sir. My apologies." Apparently I should have paid more attention when the men were going back and followed them. I was sorely embarrassed, being the only one that didn't listen.
Percy wasn't far from me. "I'm surprised 'Gryphon' went back to save your arse," he whispered.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have saved yours then, either."
"Did you not think I could handle the man myself?"
"What happened to the treasure chest?"
"Two Spaniards took it back from me."
"Apparently you couldn't handle yourself, then. Next time, I suppose I'll leave you to die, if that's what you want."
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but Newport was shouting out orders to pull our vessel away from the other ship.
"Press forth, you mongrels! You lowlife pussies move slower than I who only 'ave but one 'and! Fast'r, you bastards, lest you wish to get struck down a blow that'll drown us all!"
After finally distancing ourselves from the ship, he continued venting. "Bugg'r—cert'nly managed to cock up that mission! Quite shameful! I refuse to go back to England with li'l to show our Queen—or as the laughin' stock for Phillip II's Spain. My pride will not allow it!" He stormed off towards the Captain's Quarters, while everyone cleared the way.
"Was he yelling at us, or himself?" Lon asked.
Ben shrugged. "One never knows with Newport."
"Give him a moment, men," Sicklemore addressed. "On his behalf, I'd like to say a few words... ." I could hear the men groaning.
"Men, lend your ears!" Martin shouted, attempting to get their attention.
Gosnold rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Alright men, enough!" Finally the men quieted down. "That wasn't our best effort, but it certainly won't be our last, will it?" Various shouts of "No" were heard. "Let's honor the men we've lost and be that more motivated to fight for them the next time." Cheering ensued.
Afterward, Newport had a general ceremony for the men who were slain; and their names were recorded. We wrapped them in their hammocks, tying cannonballs to each end, in order for the body to sink to the bottom of the sea. One by one, as each corpse was thrown overboard, I could see the disconcertment on Gosnold's face.
After the ceremony, I heard Sicklemore telling him, "You went back to save the life of one man...how noble of you."
"I don't believe in leaving a man behind."
"'Tis quite a shame you couldn't save the others, not that one less man would've made a difference. The raid turned out to be a failure. The Spaniards were able to climb aboard and reclaim their possessions. What is our mission here—saving lives or plundering wealth?"
"Even one man's life is more important than a precious gem!"
"You're quite amused by the lad. How much longer will the crew continue to respect you if you continue showing favoritism to one lad—"
"What have done that I wouldn't have done for anyone else?! I didn't ask for any approval, though you certainly need it more than I!" An irate Gosnold left Sicklemore scowling.
If I were strong and daring enough to give Sicklemore a bunch of fives, or a punch in the face, I certainly would have. Every one of those bodies thrown overboard, reminded me where I could've been... .
I waited for a while after finding Gosnold elsewhere on deck, watching the waves toss to and fro. I wondered if I should approach him, as he appeared so solemn. But as a plank creaked beneath me, giving away my presence, him turning to my direction indicated otherwise.
"Smith?"
"Are you well?"
"Not particularly," he replied after some hesitation. "I still feel partially responsible for the lives lost; though it is bound to occur."
"I see 'tis quite difficult working directly with certain subjects." I remarked.
He knew who I was referring to. "No one gives a d— what he thinks with 'certain subjects.' Not even Newport or Martin."
We both had a chuckle. "I never got the chance to thank you," I told him.
He gestured it was no problem. Then he commented, "John, you look as someone knocked the wind out of your sails."
I kept having flashbacks of stabbing that man, and watching the other man nearly fall on me along with his blood. "I...can't believe I killed him...and...he died right in front of me."
He paused as if understanding. "As time passes, and the more often you have to do it, you won't think about it so much."
He told me the stories with Sir Walter Raleigh of battles they faced against Spain, shortly before joining Newport's crew. After hearing about cannons knocking heads off men, in such graphic detail, my experience was dim in comparison.
That may have been my first time slaying, but it wasn't my last. After a while, I stopped considering what I was doing, and slaying was just what it was.
After Gosnold had left, I later noticed "Raven" and "Hawk" were lurking not far away, apparently observing us. I hid to listen to their conversation.
"The Quartermaster is far too chummy with subordinates." Sicklemore remarked.
"It appears to be working for him. They respect him more as a relatable comrade than as a drill-master." Martin added. "I questioned the decision to place him there, given he has less experience than ourselves as veterans. Nevertheless he's proving himself quite capable. They listen to him moreso than us, inasmuch as I don't care to admit such... ."
Martin sighed with a sense of annoyance and acceptance. Sicklemore seethingly muttered unintelligible words.
Nevertheless, as time went on, Gosnold appeared more comfortable in confiding in me, becoming less formal. Even while he continued to mentor me, we began talking frankly about things as if we were on the same level. I would remember he was the Quartermaster around other sea men. I perhaps followed him along as a lost dog would; but while others noticed or made occasional casual remarks, the one who seemingly cared the most, was Archer.
One day, I approached him and the other gentry during a Backgammon game between Archer and himself.
"Bart, Newport anticipates attacking another ship on the morrow. Newport is proposing to make me a Gunner for that battle."
"I know, John. He told me."
I heard Archer whisper to Bart. "Since when do seamen address officers with first names? What happened to subordination?"
"Don't be such an ass!" He whispered back. I've always called you 'Gabe,' while you've called me 'Bart,' despite me being your immediate overseer. It hasn't mattered until now, has it?"
Instead of answering, Archer resumed his turn.
Bart invited me to sit with them. I could see this didn't go over well with the other men at the table. "There's plenty of tables elsewhere on deck," he told them.
Only Percy decided to move. "Fine, I'm leaving," he angrily strutted off.
"What a shame," Kendall replied indifferently, before blurting out laughing. The rest of the men laughed with him, and resumed what they were doing.
The next day, when the time arrived, I was somewhat disappointed I wouldn't engage in more action, but I made my shots count. My most devastating blow was directly in the hull of the ship. The ship was forced to surrender. Suddenly, I was a hero, as some of the men hoisted me over their shoulders. We later marooned the prisoners off the coast of Africa.
Newport was in a happier mood. "Well done, Sea Dogs. Surely our Queen will be pleased." Anything else he said afterward was unintelligible, as he took several swigs from his tankard.
"Never mind him, men." Archer told the rest of us. "He's merely had too much to drink."
"We certainly wouldn't have guessed if you hadn't told us." Remarked Kendall, sarcastically.
"I'm surprised you're sober enough to know the difference."
"I'm well educated, even if I didn't study the law as yourself. And may I add, if you were remotely successful, I'm certain you wouldn't be here in the first place—"
"And had you not been discharged from the military, you wouldn't be here, either."
"You self-righteous prick!" Kendall went to shove him.
"Now, men." Gosnold stepped in between them. He personally told Archer, "Gabe, you know better than to bother him."
"He's a 'wild fire.' Anything will set him ablaze."
"My point exactly: he's called 'Phoenix' for more than one reason... ." Gosnold turned to Kendall. "Of all the quarrels you've both had, this would be the least worthwhile."
"He initiated—"
"You and I both know he can say too much at times. And besides, as mad as you are now, you'll both be laughing and having drinks later on, as always."
Kendall took a moment to grumble, before replying." Inasmuch as it initially bothered me, that you're younger than I, you're fortunately one of the few men on board I actually listen to." Both men laughed.
Kendall said something else I didn't hear. Bart answered, and turned to me. "John, care to join us?"
"With what?"
"Ever played Twenty-One?" Kendall asked.
"Not particularly."
"This should be fun," Kendall smirked. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve... ."
Percy, watching from afar, seeing I was invited, felt he should also be included.
I wondered if I should have agreed, but part of me liked the idea of being included among this group. What did I have to lose? More than I bargained for... . I didn't realize it then, but I was losing the identity I always knew, and becoming one of them. No longer the "lone wolf" in the beginning, I was now a part of the pack.