Chapter 3 – New Beginnings

"Friends are the most powerful of weapons."

'14th September 1770,

The days are going by faster now that my time at this dreaded school is coming to an end. I am becoming rather cautious of the Bridgeton gang as they continue harassing my fellow cohorts and making a mess of our facilities. If Eddie and his gang of villains are not moved from our area I fear that they are going to burn it to the ground, and that won't be good for anybody…'

The working day ended and all of the eager students rushed out of the classroom with a sense of freedom as they filled the small but seemingly open school grounds. Horatio Nelson ran with sudden energy to the cool lake that was located behind the woods. His best friend Benjamin and the rest of his group accompanied him. It was a daily tradition to rush down to the lake after lessons and play around in the cool sparkling water before returning home for daily chores. As Nelson approached the lake he removed his hat and allowed his long thick dark hair to bounce around his shoulders, he then took off his father's expensive blue jacket and undershirt and threw them into the dirt along with his boots. Now, in only his white breeches, Nelson leaped headfirst into the water and splashed it high into the air. Soon after he was joined by Benjamin. The boy's chubby belly jiggled as he swan dived off a log and into the lake. Benjamin rose to the surface in the same likeness as a sea manatee.

'Ah, if only all of our days could be spent like this.' Benjamin Remarked as he splashed around in the water.

'Perhaps one day they will be, Benny.' Nelson dropped to his knees so that his shoulders were completely submerged, 'But Eddie and his boys won't be making it any easier.'

Edward Bridgeton was considered as a rival gang leader to Nelson and his friends in the area, the only difference was that Eddie had a tendency to destroy everything that he touched. Like Nelson he was sophisticated for his age however his methods were always somewhat merciless.

Benjamin glanced coldly over the hill that was directly above the lake, 'Speak of the Devil.' He spat harshly.

Nelson followed Benny's line of sight until he spotted the tall and skinny figure leaning against the thick trunk of the willow tree that covered part of the lake. Much like Nelson himself, Eddie was just touching the fist few stages of adolescence, neither of the boys had developed much muscle tone but both were still equally cunning. Eddie wore a loose white shirt that exposed most of his pale chest as well as an old pair of trousers with dirt stains on them. His light blonde hair was combed over so that the fringe ran across his little forehead and his shallow brown eyes held a gaze filled with authority and power, despite his small form.

'I'm sorry Harry.' Eddie referred to Nelson by his nick name, 'But this lake isn't big enough for both of our groups, I'm afraid you're going to have to leave.'

Nelson instantly glimpsed over to a large fallen tree branch along side the bank of the lake. Beneath it he and his friends had buried a chest that contained five slingshots and five small bags full of smooth stones. Normally the slingshots were used for shooting painted-on targets or even small animals, but Nelson knew that this situation with Eddie was going to get ugly, as it has before. He caught Benjamin's attention, and then pointed with his eyes towards the secret chest. Benjamin understood the order and began wading through the water, cautious not to arise any suspicions. At the same time Eddie and his gang paced onto the white sandy bank, exactly within range of the slingshots.

'We were here first.' Nelson spoke, 'Just go somewhere else.'

'Really Harry, because my boys and I have no problem with beating you and you're petty rats to a pulp.' Eddies threats were harsh, but Nelson knew that he meant what he said.

As soon as he saw that Benjamin was in position, Nelson smiled and gave a light chuckle, 'You can try Eddie,' He said humorously, 'Now Benny!'

Benjamin had already removed his favourite slingshot and loaded it with an almost perfectly round stone, ready to shoot on Nelson's command. When the signal came, Benjamin lifted the slingshot and fired the stone directly at Eddie. The stone struck Eddie in the ribs, clashing into them with such force that it knocked the boy backwards into the soft white sand of the bank.

As Eddie howled and coughed and cried on the ground, his followers were trying to decide whether to stay and fight or run and hide. The decision was made when another stone hit one of the confused boys in his left ear, splitting it open with a spurt of hot blood. The boy was left in the sand, clutching his bleeding ear and lying in pain beside his leader as the rest of the group retreated up the hill.

Nelson stepped out of the water and stood over his defeated opponent, filled with victory and triumph. 'A fine shot Benny. I think you shattered the poor lads rib.' Nelson turned and faced the one who fired the second shot, 'Excellent marksmanship Henry, you have made us proud.' Nelson patted Henry on the shoulder.

'I think we'd best head home.' Benjamin stated, 'I don't think you're uncle is going to be happy when he hears about this.'

Nelson's mood stayed the same, 'Right you are Benny, my uncle is going to be furious, but I also think it would be best if we helped Eddie here get back home.'

The boy with the bleeding ear was able to run home by himself, but Eddie needed to be carried, a task carried out by Nelson and Benjamin. The rest of the group went home and prepared to be punished for getting into another rivalry.

Eddie was much heavier than he appeared, and Nelson began to struggle with his part of the burden as he and Benjamin neared the school grounds. Eddie moaned and struggled every time Nelson bumped his rib. 'Let go of me! Ouch!'

After a long moment of silence during the strenuous trek back up the hill, Benjamin began to speak, 'It's hard to believe,' he said heavily as he balanced his wait with Eddie leaning against him.

'What?' Nelson asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

'I actually think I'm going to miss all of this.'

'What do you mean?' Nelson asked again.

'Well think about it, after this year you're running off to the Royal Navy and I'm getting sent back to London. Our lives are going to be different now, and I'll be damned if we even see each other again.'

Nelson set poor Eddie down by a tree and looked up at his friend, 'What ever happens, we'll get by,' Nelson picked Eddie up again. 'We always have.'