Chapter 2- Trials and Tribulations
The Susan Constant- Atlantic Ocean
1607
"Oh there he is, it's our king, all hail King Smith," the voice said in the cold monotone born to that of his class. "Ratcliffe, I never said such, don't lower yourself to this," Smith answered. "You are a low class liar at that," Ratcliffe spoke. Smith's hand went for the sword at this side. "Recant that lie, sir." "I do not lie, for I speak truth." "Take back your words or you will regret that you said them."
"I do not lie." For a moment, there was silence and the only thing that was heard was the beating of hearts and the swell of the ocean. The two men stared at each other with coldness in there eyes. As suddenly, as the wind shifted Smith's sword was out, poised, and pressed to the throat of Ratcliffe. "Take your lie back or you will die" "Will not." Smith pressed deeper into Ratcliffe's throat as a small bead of blood slivered down Ratcliffe's neck.
Smith's eyes wide and nostrils flaring as anger clouded his face. "Take back your words." In the distance Captain John Smith heard angry footsteps headed his way, however he was determined to hold his ground.
"Smith let him go, I command you." Smith turned to look at the man that was his friend and the captain of the ship. In the shadow of the larger man he saw another friend, a youngman that he had taken under his wing and protection. Smith hesatintly turned back to his adversary and pressed even deeper into his throat. "Smith, I am now speaking as your friend and captain, let him go. If you kill him you die as well."
As suddenly as he drew the blade he sheathed it. "Captain he forced me to do this, he disgraced me." Ratcliffe with an air of surprise stated, "I have not provoked him he has attacked me on his own because of this own lies. Captain you must take him into custody before he means to kill us all."
" Know this." Newport then wirily add "he will be confined until it will be decide if he will hang for this or not." Smith stood tall and looked at his close friend, "I have not done this without provocation. He has hated me before we left London. He has abused me and my honor" "Smith give me your weapons and I will hold court and then we will decide your fate. For now you will be held in your cabin." Smith reluctantly turned over his sword and dagger to Newport. Newport watched as Smith walked to his cabin and descended into the recesses of his cabin. Newport ordered the cabin to be guarded until the hearing could take place.
Night enveloped John as he lay prostrate across his bed dissolved completely in the darkness of the night as the fresh air, traced with salt caressed his skin. He heard the door to his cabin open and to this he expected Ratcliffe to send someone to kill him. He was ready for a fight and may it be to the death, he had nothing left to live for. As he readied himself for his strake he heard the movements of not a murderer about to take his life, but the uneasy precautious footsteps that he knew belonged to his friend Thomas. "John, it's me" John slowly gathered himself up and looked at his friend, "He means to be rid of me one way or another." "John they might hang you, you will lose your chance to govern." "I know Thomas, let's just hope I can survive this one. I'll worry about governing if the chance needs be."
"Bring him out, this inquiry starts now," the agitated voice ordered. "Captain Newport he should be put in to the galley" Ratcliffe the soon to be governor of the territory of Virginia scoffed. The door to the small cramped cabin opened. Through the small door was pushed the man in question. With chains at his wrist and legs, he entered the room with a deliberate grace laced with willful pride.
As he stood with the weight of twenty gazes upon him, the man stood stone like and proud as judgment was made. "Mutiny," Ratcliffe yelled. "The man is clearly up to it he has planed to do it from the start. Smith holds no respect for those in command or station, he does as he wishes."
"He thinks himself as hero and turn the men to do his favor," another madden gentleman offered. "Once he reaches land, God he would probably declare himself king." "That is untrue," John Smith said simply. Filled with rage Ratcliffe eased out of his chair and stood face to face with Smith. Smith did not flinch, pacifying the anger slowly building within him. "Smith you are a liar look at the lies you have already told. Fighting in armies for your own glory and concocting tales that move you above your station, and then using charm like a whore to get what you want.
"I was provoked into the fight with you and I would do it again for the same reason, my honor. You are jealous of me Ratcliffe. You tell lies against me and if I we unchained I would make you pay." "I care for this voyage, I will say this again it is your jealousy and lack of courage that pits you against me." "See his arrogance," a gray haired man barked. "Truth," responded Smith. Newport shook his head, "Smith by charge of mutiny you should hang at first landing. I see no evidence of this charge.
However your actions do constitute to defiance, I can't have my captains kill each other. So, I sentence you to the hold for the remainder of this voyage. As the crowd moved from the room Ratcliffe leaned close to John's ear and whispered "This isn't over" and in John's heart he knew it wasn't. John stood rooted to his spot waiting for hands to claps his shoulder and take him to the dark, dank, sweltering heat of the hold, where he would remain chained, a prisoner until he reached the New World.
