REVENGE a thrilling historical naval adventure (The Lady Bethany series Book 3) by Christopher C. Tubbs

Author:Christopher C. Tubbs [Tubbs, Christopher C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lume Books Historical Naval Adventures, A Joffe Books Company
Published: 2025-09-24T00:00:00+00:00

Georgia

August 1829

The Petrel sailed into the Savannah River.

“That side of the river is the Carolinas,” the first mate, Gregory Clarkson, told Delfina as he nodded to the north. “It forms the border with Georgia.”

He had taken a shine to her during the voyage up from Jamaica and was very attentive. However, Mike and Harry’s presence pretty much guaranteed that his behaviour stayed gentlemanly. They had made it very clear that the girls were under their protection — not that they needed it.

The river was bisected by a string of islands and the Petrel took the south channel after taking aboard a pilot.

“That’s Shark Tooth Island; Savannah is around the bend up ahead,” Gregory continued. The ship had been chartered by Sebastian and would wait in port for the team to complete their mission.

A fort came into view on the south shore. It was obviously manned and the American flag, with its twenty-four stars and seven red stripes, flew above it. Mike asked the pilot, “What’s that?”

The pilot pointed at it with the stem of his pipe. “That is Fort Jackson. Built in 1808.”

Mike nodded at it in appreciation as the pilot continued, “It will be replaced by the new fort that’s being built on Cockspur Island.”

“What’s wrong with this one?”

“Oh, President Madison decided we needed more forts along the coast to protect against foreign invasion after the war of 1812.”

“By that, I suppose he meant the British!” Mike laughed.

* * *

Savannah was a green city. Tree-lined avenues draped in Spanish moss interspersed with rhododendrons fronted colonial-style houses. It was warm and humid even though it was early in the morning when they arrived, and a fine mist seeped along the ground, making it very picturesque.

Mike looked for and found a hotel and booked them in as two married couples with their relatives. The owner sniffed at the sight of the obviously Spanish origins of the “wives”, but a look from Mike stilled any comment.

House slaves took their bags up to their rooms. They were well-dressed and showed no signs of abuse; however, they didn’t speak but silently obeyed instructions. Netta asked Alie, in sign language, why they were so reticent.

“Why do you not speak?” Alie asked one of the young bellboys.

He quickly looked around to make sure none of the others could hear him. “The massa say we must not offend his guests with our talkin’.”

Alie passed that on to Netta, whose reply was short and to the point. “Their ‘massa’ is the one that offends.”

The boy grinned when Alie told him that, but had to refrain from replying as other slaves were present.

* * *

Once they were settled, they set about finding their way around the city. It wasn’t so big; cobbled streets linked shady squares surrounded by mansion-size houses. There was wealth here. Carriages criss-crossed the streets carrying well-dressed and obviously wealthy passengers. They were driven by Africans in livery, some with footmen riding at the back on a footplate.

“Conspicuous wealth created on the backs of slaves,” Mike noted.

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