The Threat in the West Indies (The Merriman Chronicles Book 4) by Burnage Roger

Author:Burnage, Roger [Burnage, Roger]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18 - The French Plot Discussed

Merriman, Grahame and the Doctor returned to Aphrodite where they settled in Merriman's cabin with freshly brewed coffee provided by Peters the servant.

“Quite a well thought out plot James, if all we have learned is true. Would you go over it again and give me your views?” “Yes Sir, if the information is correct, and I emphasise the 'if', there is some French trader masquerading as an Englishman and living in Jamaica. He sends his bully boys along to plantations to encourage the slaves to revolt and when the owners have been frightened off or killed he can buy everything at a rock bottom price. I think he will then bring in his own overseers, settle the slaves down with violence if necessary and then carry on what is now his own sugar production. He has his own ships to transport it to wherever he can sell it. I can think of nothing more Sir.”

“Well done James, your thoughts parallel my own exactly. Now we must decide what to do next, any ideas?” “Not much beyond today Sir. The deserters must be handed over to the Admiral but I would like to keep the man Plover and his mate. I did more or less promise him his life. As for the French it is up to the army to deal with them and the authorities here can investigate recent sales of plantations and to whom they were sold.”

And all happened as expected, the marines escorted the deserters down to the shipyard where they were locked up to await the inevitable court martial when sufficient officers could be gathered together. Merriman had Plover and the other man taken aboard the Aphrodite as pressed men and the French prisoners were forced, in chains, to work on the construction of more fortifications.

A convivial evening followed at the army barracks to which the Admiral and all the naval officers were invited. There was only one sour note, the unpleasant and drunken Lieutenant Orson challenged Merriman to a duel but the Colonel had him forcibly removed and urged Merriman to forget it if he would. “The man's a fool Mr. Merriman, useless with a sword or pistol and I have no doubt you would quickly deal with him. But it was you the man challenged and if you feel you must accept his challenge, you can of course do so.”

“Thank you Sir, but the man was drunk and hardly knew what he was doing so I am prepared to forget it.” “Very well then, I will deal with him tomorrow, severely you may rely on it.” It was in the early morning when they left the Colonel with their thanks for an excellent dinner. Dawn found Aphrodite well out to sea heading towards the next islands governed by Britain.

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