Dangerous Dreams: A Novel (11 page)

Would that Baylye were governor instead of me, White thought. Perhaps I shall propose it later. He took a deep breath, toyed with the end of his mustache. “Friends . . . I call you ‘friends’ because I hold you in that regard. I personally chose you to be my Assistants because of the leadership traits I saw in you. I myself have, sadly, failed to exhibit those same traits in fair measure. I have been less than forthcoming with you, and with all of the people, about the events that transpired here in 1585 and 1586. For that I am sorry. But I withheld that information with fair intentions because I had no suspicion that we would now be trying to exist
here
rather than in the Chesapeake. I thought general knowledge of those violent happenings would only create unnecessary anxiety and fear among the people but, in the end, have no effect on us, or our success, in the Chesapeake. So why mention them? Yes, Lane committed atrocities against the Savages. I witnessed and abhorred those atrocities. Yes, he enflamed their passions against us. His actions were arrogant and stupid; his men murdered, raped, burned, laid waste, brought fatal disease. But
evil as they were, his actions would have had no impact upon us had the blackguard, Fernandez, not forced us from the vessel and refused us passage to our intended destination, the destination granted us by Sir Walter Raleigh and the Queen herself.” He took a long breath, again toyed with his mustache.

Taking heart from a rare prolonged silence, he felt he’d regained a foothold. “But even after my lengthy pleading, and then threatening, I cannot say I know Fernandez’s reason for this irrational, mutinous act. Indeed, it was most frustrating to me, for we went round in circles the entire day with him providing no explanation for deserting us here. In truth, all I can surmise is that he’s been bribed by one of Raleigh’s enemies, of which there are several; or as he swears, he may truly need a full month here to replenish water, food, and firewood before he departs for England, hopefully ahead of the winter gales. He says this urgent priority does not allow time for him to take us to Chesapeake; but in fact, doing so would cost him merely a day. So, I believe him to be lying to cover his intent to privateer and take Spanish prizes on his way back to England . . . certainly a more profitable venture than delivering us to Chesapeake. But whatever his true reason, ’tis irresponsible and criminal to abandon one hundred nineteen people in a hostile environment where their survival is in doubt. Unfortunately, and to my own disappointment, I believe further imploring of the man to do us justice is futile and will yield no change in his position; therefore, since we have
not
the means to attack the ship, we must find the resources and resolve to survive
here
and await the arrival of English authorities of sufficient rank to prosecute him . . . even if he’s long since departed. As it stands today, he intends to abandon us here and depart with the large ship and the flyboat before the end of August.”

The absence of protest gave White a surge in confidence, a parcel of gratitude that they had listened, given him another chance. “The only good fortune to come from this debacle is Fernandez’s promise to leave the pinnace and two shallops here with us. If he’s true to his word, this will provide us the opportunity to transport
ourselves
to Chesapeake, or perhaps up the broad river, to the west where it narrows, and thence overland into the main. Both options are preferable to remaining here.”

The Assistants looked numb, depleted; none spoke, none contested. White mentally thanked Baylye for saving him, giving him the chance to compose himself and regain what little confidence he had. But he’d now confirmed their worst fears: they were in a dangerous, untenable position; the one who was to blame was untouchable and protected from retribution; and they were soon to be abandoned to their own devices. He watched their faces as they slowly regarded one another; read their concern, their fear, but also hints of embryonic determination.

As the extended silence grew awkward, Baylye cleared his throat and removed a piece of paper from his coat. “John, while you were on the ship yesterday, I took the liberty of conducting an inventory of our supplies.”

White nodded. “A most urgent action. Thank you for the foresight.”

“The results are
not
comforting. We’ve wine for a month, but the beer will be exhausted within the week. We have ingredients to make our own, and I suggest we assign that task to someone tomorrow. For foodstuffs, we have four to six weeks of hardtack, salt beef, oatmeal, rice, honey, and butter; but the cheese, currants, raisins, prunes, olives, salad oil and vinegar, turnip and parsnip seed, onions, garlic, thyme, mustard, fennel, and anise will be gone in three weeks.”

A despondent shadow spread over the men’s faces like the sudden smoke of a new fire.

“So, as you can see, the situation is not promising, which has led me to the conclusion that we must do two things immediately. First, we must extend the life of our existing supplies by supplementing them with fresh fish and venison. This will require hunters and fishermen, and we should begin these efforts this very afternoon. Second, we must develop and implement a system for rationing the supplies among the people so all receive their fair share. Master Howe, I’m told you’ve some experience with crabbing, might even qualify as an expert at it?”

George Howe flashed a proud smile. “I do indeed. A man must know how to acquire his favorite food if he’s to enjoy it now and then. And if you’re asking me to spend the rest of the day crabbing and call it work, I enthusiastically accept.”

Hearty laughter rippled around the circle of men, fracturing the stiff tension that had gripped the assembly.

“Thank you, Sir. I’d hoped for that response. Perhaps you could choose six or eight men to accompany you and teach them the art. We’ll need a bountiful harvest to satisfy the hunger of so many . . . I assume you’ll instruct us in the proper preparation and cooking of these creatures, as well?”

“Certainly. Though I’m sure many are already skilled in that regard, I shall do what’s necessary for all to enjoy the feast. I’ll also volunteer my services for this task each and every day.”

More smiles, more laughter, easing of tensions and tempers, men raising their hands to go on the expedition.

“Good. Can you also find us some fishermen? Perhaps one of the shallops could be used along with the line and hooks we unloaded from the ship, to harvest a good catch right here in the sound.”

“Of course.”

“And Roger Prat, you come from the country. Can you hunt deer . . . with a longbow?”

“I can indeed, Sir. Also with a matchlock. And, of course, I can also gut and butcher what I kill.”

“I fear, at least until Master Howe establishes his foundry and begins producing large quantities of lead shot, we’ll need to conserve our ammunition. So a longbow it must be. Can you find additional huntsmen? Again, the need will soon be great.”

“I shall. I already know of two others, and I’d wager there are a couple more. My concern would be for the number of animals present on this island, which I know not the size of. That will determine how long we can rely on this food source.” He looked at White.

“The island is about four leagues by one league. Will that support an adequate population of deer? There’s been no hunting for a year now . . . other than what the Savages might have done.”

“Not for long. With this many people, we’ll soon be forced to the main, which may be a dangerous place. So hope for a large bounty of fish.”

Baylye said, “Very well. Now if we’re to have adequate food for the winter, we must have hearty reserves to tide us through foul-weather times
when we can’t hunt and fish. So we’ll need to dry, smoke, and salt our fish and meat. Three problems here: we’re almost out of salt, there are no friendly Savages to instruct us in the arts of drying and smoking, and we’ve no Englishmen who know how to do such things. We’ll need salt for other purposes, as well. So John Sampson, can you and a few others begin extracting salt from seawater? You’ll need to collect a large number of boiling pots; and since this water here is only brackish and won’t yield enough salt for your efforts, you’ll have to transport seawater from the outer banks to the island or take wood and pots with you, do your boiling over there”—he pointed at the outer banks—“ then transport the salt back here. As to the second problem, Governor White, do you think Manteo’s people would school us in their techniques for fishing and hunting, as well as drying and smoking?”

“I should think so. We’ll have to entice them with beads or metal tools; but yes, I believe they’ll help. Manteo and I are going to their island in several days. I’ll ask his mother, their leader, whom I know, if they’ll help us with these matters.”

“Good. Now we’ve our livestock to consider. Six pigs, twenty chickens, and six goats. The pigs and goats were to be seed stock, and of course, the goats and chickens were to provide a steady supply of milk for cheese, butter, and eggs, but I fear the need may soon arise for them all to fill cooking pots instead. Obviously, we must defer such an undesirable action for as long as possible.”

Several grumbled to each other. Sampson pointed at Baylye, shook his finger. “Roger—”

“I know. It has a foolish ring to it. If anyone has an idea how to avoid it, my ears are open. I’ve not found one. So breeding stock and seeds for planting are now on the resupply list Fernandez will deliver to Raleigh upon his return.”

The governor was impressed with Baylye’s forethought and organization, his grasp of critical needs. He has an agile mind, he thought, far more so than I realized . . . mayhap a product of his years as mayor of a small village. He’s thought of everything, done my job for me, must make him my assistant governor. He’s strong in every way I’m weak. Yes, he shall have that position.

The men withdrew to the forest for shade as the fierce midmorning sun began to sap their alertness and drain their desire to be in a meeting where the only news was
bad
news that further inculcated them with a sense of doom. Over the next two hours, they discussed many other needs, as well as the fact that the flow in the stream they used for drinking water had slowed markedly since their arrival on the island. Governor White told them the locations of two other streams which the water carriers would explore that afternoon. They also agreed on people to fill certain key positions, several of them direct carryovers from their employments or businesses in England. Among them were George Howe’s assignment to create a foundry; John Jones to be the colony’s physician; the governor’s son-in-law, Ananias, a tiler in England, to explore for clay to make chimney bricks; Thomas Colman to be schoolmaster for the colony’s children and any adults who wished to be educated; Anthony Cage, a sheriff in England, to be the governor’s constable for civil matters; Thomas Hewet, a lawyer, to be the colony’s judge; and Morris Allen, a master carpenter, to supervise the building of additional cottages. After considerable discussion and disagreement, they also decided that every person—soldier, gentleman, and common man—must apply their physical efforts to the collective good, at least until such time as the colony was secure and sufficiently established to allow individual endeavors. The governor, advised by the Assistants, would decide when that time had arrived; and until then, the penalty for failure of any person to provide a fair share of labor would be that person receiving reduced rations. Last, Governor White promised to meet promptly with Baylye, Thomas Hewet, and Anthony Cage to begin developing a code of laws and consequences for their violation.

As the meeting adjourned, Governor White proclaimed that no one was to leave the palisades area without an armed escort. Work party foremen were to notify Lieutenant Waters of their schedules a day in advance, so he could apportion his forces accordingly. This policy was to be implemented immediately.

White was feeling greatly relieved by the time the meeting adjourned, believed he’d won them back, regained their confidence; he felt immense
gratitude to Baylye for cooling the hot tempers, doing the head work to begin the process of survival in their hostile environment, and for giving him a new hold on his governorship. He would reward him for this rescue, ensure he had the prestigious position he deserved in the colony. What the governor had yet to do was confer with Lieutenant Waters about the Savages, yesterday’s events, and the defense of the colony. A fine lad, Waters. Seemed to have the respect of his men, though White was still disappointed that he’d challenged his order; but most important, he seemed to have good leadership qualities and a professional approach to his duties. He’d made a good start on the palisades, had created a clever design; so White felt better about the colony’s defenses being vested in so young an officer, considered Waters another potential candidate for recognition and reward when the time came.

As White and the Assistants entered the village, Lieutenant Waters had just completed an instructional session with thirty of his men. When the four who had guarded the Assistants approached, he told Sergeant Smith to take them aside and inform them of his guidance. While the larger group dispersed, Smith told the four that the colony was in a very dangerous situation, one that required the utmost in professionalism, alertness, and attention to the surrounding environment, which most notably included hostile Savages. He had also warned them against any temptation to lapse into laziness or take advantage of weaknesses displayed by the civilians; reminded them that they, Her Majesty’s men, were trained to take care of themselves and their comrades and should set the example for the civilians in all categories of endeavor. Next he had cautioned that he and the governor were the highest civil and military authorities in the colony, that their words were law, and that the same three capital offenses that applied to soldiers in England applied here: abandoning a post or sleeping on duty, drawing a weapon on a commissioned or non-commissioned officer, and violating or abusing a woman. And last, he had stated that in order to conserve ammunition, any executions would be by hanging or beheading.