1809 Ben Brown Vive Le Roi by William Bertram

Author:William Bertram
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sea battles, historical 1800s, sea adenture, plymouth yarns, drama historical fiction
Publisher: William Bertram

Tuesday 30th of May 1809

We spent a fretful evening last night, Rose between bouts of sobbing paced up and down the parlour awaiting the Skipper’s return, that is until my yawning Mother, in no uncertain terms told her to go home and get some sleep. It was far later than I like being abroad in Plymouth at night, but with Henri as an escort (Mother insisted, although, what use he would be was anyone’s guess). We walked the girls home to their lodgings, there were a lot of drunks, both male and female out tonight and it became very worrying especially the drunken women, they are the worst. But we managed to avoid most, but luckily most were so intoxicated as not to cause a problem. We didn’t come across any belligerent drunks, they are the awful, you never know where you are with them, they can turn on you in an instant.

Both Henri and I were wearing our short swords and although I was not confident that I could use mine, Henri had enough bravado for the both of us. Yet I was glad his bravery was not tested. All I had from Cassie that night was a squeeze of her hand as we walked along and a kiss on the cheek. Still that is more than Henri got, Arianne had retired at the same time as my Mother, just as we were leaving.

Today I awoke to a lovely sunny day that is until I remembered that I was supposed to be meeting my new mentor Lieutenant Broadbent, that ruined the moment. Yet, I resolved to find out if the Skipper had returned first. So early after breakfast I set my watch by the hall clock and left the house to call around at Mistress William’s house in New Street. I no sooner rounded the corner of the street than I saw Henri dressed in all his finery coming down the cobbled street to meet me. “Is he back yet?” I Called.

Henri rushed those few yards towards me and as he did so called, “Came back late last night. He said not to wake you or ze ladies, he will send word he iz back with Cyril.”

“I’ll just go and see how he is?” I replied stepping forward.

“It will not do you any good, he haz had hiz medicine and iz fast asleep! We juzt have to wait now. Well that iz what he said when he returned. He told me zey removed a large piece of wood, he haz it. I have seen it.” Remarked Henri catching hold of my arm with one hand and with the other holding up his thumb and index finger up under my nose in a representation of the length of the splinter.

I whistled, “How did Doctor Lancaster miss that?”

Then shrugging off his hand I thought it might be better to leave the Captain be. And so turning, I replied, “Might be best if we go and see the Lieutenant. Wouldn’t like to be late on the first day.

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