Chapter 10
John climbed down the rope ladder eager to eat, but entered the captain's cabin cautiously. The quartermaster had never been a friendly man, so he wasn't sure what to expect.
"Come in and pull up a stool," the captain called to John as he entered. "Don't be shy, Mr. Noland doesn't bite. He brought us a platter of goodies."
John grabbed the stool from the end of the captain's luxurious bed and pulled it to the table to sit. The platter was filled with dark raisins, dried apples, beef jerky, pâté, cheese and dry, crusty, rye bread. John salivated. He hadn't seen such a feast since leaving his island home of Antigua.
"Do ye 'ave a cup John?" Mr. Noland asked as he poured himself a cup of grog. It was the first time the quartermaster had ever spoken to him.
John nodded and retrieved his tin bowl, cup, and brass knife from his net bag, then sat again at the table.
"I prefer broth over grog," John said as the quartermaster poured the clear mixture into his tin cup.
"This here grog is mighty watered down. There's only a touch o' rum in it. Ye can add a bit more sugar to it if ye like," Richard said as he motioned to a silver serving bowl filled with lumpy sugar.
John spooned five helpings of sugar into his small cup, stirred and took a sip. It was so good that John wondered why no one on the Bonetta had shown him this trick. He filled his bowl with meat, cheese and two slices of crusty bread. As he began to eat, he watched the two men, hungry for their attention.
"As I'm sure ye'd like to know, the crew 'ave voted for ye to stay on board," Mr. Noland began.
John nodded and a broad smile crept across his face. He had never been happier in his entire life. He wanted to scream and laugh at the same time. He wanted to jump up and hug the captain, but most of all he wanted to run through the ranks of the Sultana and thank everyone who had voted for him.
"As ye may or may not know, 'tis the quartermaster's job to delegate tasks to the crew. The capt'n 'as kindly informed me 'tis my task to train ye up proper like." Mr. Noland paused so he could concentrate on eating a bit of cheese and pâté that he had smeared over a piece of crusty bread.
The color drained from John's cheeks as Mr. Noland finished speaking. He was hoping the captain would take on the responsibility of teaching him the tricks of the trade.
"Aye, Richard wants to start yer training off on a scholarly level. He 'as brought up a scroll for ye to commit to memory," the captain explained.
John remained quiet as he popped raisin after raisin into his mouth. He couldn't fathom what the quartermaster could possibly want him to study. Treasure maps, he hoped.
"Ye do know how to read, don't ye?" the quartermaster inquired.
John nodded. "My mum taught me."
"Good lad." Richard handed John the large scroll that had been leaning against the wall. "I ask all new recruits to read this and give their mark, round-robin, as the rest of the crew 'ave done. If they can't read, and many can't, I read it out loud for 'em."
John placed his bowl on the table and unrolled the scroll. It was a beautifully written list tilted The Pirate Code of Conduct. Surrounding the list of nineteen codes was a circle of marks, names, and signatures left behind by the men who had signed the article.
The quartermaster pointed to the circle of names with the point of his blade. "This here's the round-robin I spoke of. We sign our names thus in case of capture so no one knows who the capt'n is.
"Read all of the codes out loud an' I'll explain 'em to ye," Richard instructed.
John carefully read the first code of conduct. "Each man shall obey civil rule and law."
"Aye that means ye'll be agreeing to obey yer capt'n an' abide by the rules on that scroll," Richard explained.
"Each man sworn to be true of these articles shall have the right to vote in all matters of importance. Those who have not signed shall not vote." John looked up at the quartermaster and waited for his response.
"Aye an' that means that all men on the ship are considered equal an' have th' same voting rights, but only if ye sign th' article," Richard explained.
"The captain and officers of the vessel shall be chosen by the majority prior to the commencement of the voyage, and on any other occasion that the majority sees fit," John read, feeling more confident about reading the text out loud. "I understand what this one means."
"Good," Richard said, "An' what does the next one say?"
"The captain is the supreme commander in times of chase and battle. Any man who denies or questions his orders on such occasions will be beaten or shot. However, in all other matters the captain will govern by the vote of the majority." John's eyes widened and he looked at the captain with a renewed respect. "Have you ever shot a man?" John asked Black Sam.
"Aye, once, in the foot." The captain grimaced. "I generally don't like shooting m' own people. If I can get the point across without killing a man I'll go that route."
"If ye don't 'ave any questions about that one then please continue lad," Richard coaxed impatiently.
"All men are to have equal share in the provisions and liquor at all times, and to use it as they please unless scarcity makes it necessary for restrictions to be placed on the supply." John finished reading and looked up.
"Do you understand that one as well?" Richard asked.
John nodded and continued reading. "Every man will have fair turn to pick from a boarded prize. Each man is to receive a suit of clothes. But the first to see the sail shall have first pick of the best pistol or small-arms on board." John looked up at the quartermaster with a quizzical expression.
"Aye, that one might need some explaining. Let's say yer first to see a ship that we might overtake an' loot. Then ye'll be the first to choose a pistol fer yerself," Richard clarified.
John's eyes widened, "I can have my very own pistol?"
"Aye, but only if there's enough to go round. Since ye were last to be recruited, yer last on the list and therefore choose from the prize last. Unless of course ye set eyes on the prize an' announce her presence first. Then ye'll most certainly have first pick an' rights to yer own pistol," Mr. Noland said.
John rubbed his hands together. The thought of picking his own firearm from a looted ship held great appeal to him. He began reading the next Code of Conduct, eager to learn what else he was entitled to.
"The quartermaster is to be the first on board the prize. He is to have trust over the common treasury until it be shared. He shall keep a book showing each man's share. Upon request, each man may draw freely from the treasury against his share." John stopped reading and wondered what his share would be, but was afraid to ask.
"That one is pretty straightforward. Is it not?" Richard said as he washed down a bit of cheese and bread with a swig of grog.
John nodded, and continued reading. "If any man defrauds the company or another, he shall suffer the punishment as the majority sees fit." John looked up from the scroll and shrugged.
"Aye, that one needs explaining. It means don't make up lies in order to gain more than yer fair share of the loot an' don't steal from the company, or from yer fellow buccaneers. Such conduct will get ye strapped to the mainmast fer a whippin," Mr. Noland said as he pointed above the door with his knife. "See the cat o' nine tails hangin' over the door."
John looked above the door and saw a whip held over the door by a series of wooden pegs.
"She's a nasty lil' thing. The punishment for stealin' is ten lashes."
John shivered as he stared at the whip and remembered the scars on the cook's back. Each of the nine leather tails of the whip had a hard leather knot at its end. Why would anyone want to gamble or steal when threatened with ten lashes from a whip like that, he wondered. He continued reading, anxious to change the subject.
"Each man must keep his musket, pistol, and cutlass clean and in good working order upon inspection of the quartermaster," John read.
"Does that one make sense?" the quartermaster asked.
John nodded
and read the next code. "No boys …" he paused and swallowed hard before he continued, "or women allowed on board," he finished meekly. His very existence on board was now a violation of number ten of the Code.
"Now this one is a tricky one for ye, seeing that yer obviously underage. However, 'tis the captain that brought ye aboard so he's the one at fault in this case," the quartermaster explained.
"Aye, but the men 'ave voted fer young John to stay," the captain argued. "If the men want him to stay then I 'ave broken no code. If they voted nay. Then my decision to bring young John aboard would've made m' eligible fer whatever punishment you deem fit," Captain Black Sam said to his quartermaster, for John's benefit.
"Aye that sounds fair," Mr. Noland said solemnly. It wasn't often that he was placed in a position to discipline the captain. The thought seemed to make him rather uncomfortable.
"Go on with the next one," the captain urged.
John looked at the words on the scroll but couldn't concentrate. He wasn't aware that forcing the captain to take him on as an apprentice would cause him any trouble. A sudden rush of guilt dampened his euphoric state. John took a deep breath and focused hard on the next line and slowly began to read.
"No married men are to be forced into service."
"Also straightforward," the quartermaster said around a mouthful of cheese and dried apple.
John nodded and continued, "Good quarters are to be granted when called for."
"Aye, that one needs no explaining neither," Mr. Noland said and gestured for John to continue.
"Any man who deserts his ship or station during battle or keeps any secrets will be punished by death, marooning, or whipping, as the majority shall see fit." John stared at the text as the reality of life on a pirate vessel began to sink in. Once I sign this document there's no turning back, John realized.
"Aye, do ye 'ave any questions?" Mr. Noland asked.
John shook his head and continued reading.
"Not a word shall be written by any man on the vessel unless it be nailed publicly to the mast." John looked up at the quartermaster. "What does that mean?"
"No private notes, diaries, or letters passed among the crew. Otherwise they might be found under suspicion of organizing a mutiny, or an unfair division of the treasury," Mr. Noland explained.
"Oh," John said and then continued reading. "Any man found guilty of striking or abusing another of the crew shall be punished as the majority sees fit. Quarrels are to be settled on shore with sword and pistol under the eye of the quartermaster."
"Does that one make sense? Speak up if somethin' needs more explaining," Mr. Noland said. "Ye can't go signin' things ye don't understand.
John shook his head, "No. I get that one." He read the next line. "All lights are to be put out before eight o' clock at night. If any man continues drinking after that hour, he must do it on deck. Any man who does not carry himself as such shall receive nine lashes on the bare back." John looked up at the cat o' nine tails hanging over the door.
"Aye, a harsh punishment, however, 'tis needed. Please continue," Mr. Noland said.
"No man shall talk of breaking up our way of living till each man has received a thousand pounds." John stopped reading.
"This one means we are all to stick together until we've accumulated one thousand pounds each," Mr. Noland explained.
John's eyes widened at the thought of possessing one thousand pounds. "How long does it take to make that much?" John asked.
"It takes as long as it takes o' course," Mr. Noland replied. "But with Capt'n Black Sam in charge it won't take long." The quartermaster winked at John.
"Glad to hear ye've placed so much faith in me," the captain raised his chalice of grog as he spoke.
John read the next line. "If any man should lose a limb, an eye, or become a cripple during the course of his duties, he is to have eight hundred pieces of eight out of the treasury."
John shuddered as he remembered the cook's dead eye. He wondered if the cook received that wound while on duty in King George the first's Royal Navy, and if he had received compensation for that ghastly injury. Now, he would never know. Jack, the cook, was likely five leagues in the opposite direction by now.
"Any questions?" Mr. Noland asked.
"No," John said quietly.
"Then read the next one," Mr. Noland urged. Both men had finished their meals and now seemed impatient.
John looked at the parchment while still thinking about the last Code of Conduct. No amount of money is worth the loss of a limb or an eye, he thought. Slowly he began reading the next Code.
"The captain and the quartermaster are to receive two shares of the prize. The sailing master, boatswain and gunners are to receive one share and a half, and the other officers are to receive one and a quarter shares. All others who have signed the articles are to receive one share."
"Any questions?" Mr. Noland asked.
John thought over the entire document. If there ever was a time to change his mind, it was now. "No," he answered.
"Then add yer mark to the scroll in the same fashion as those who came before ye," Mr. Noland said as he pushed an inkwell and a quill over the table towards John.
John studied the names and found a clear space where his signature would fit. He picked up the quill, dipped its end in the ink, and slowly and carefully wrote his name with the others.
"Now yer officially a pirate's apprentice. How does it feel lad?" the captain asked.
John smiled. "Feels wonderful," he said euphorically.
"Good. Now, I've decided to make ye a cabin boy. Yer daily tasks will include bringing the capt'n his meals an' clearin' the table afterwards, keepin' his pitcher of grog filled, bringin' him his washin' water, makin' the captain's bed, an' sweepin' an' swabbin' the floor in his quarters."
"Aye an' when ye've got some spare time I want ye to watch fer ships from the crow's nest," the captain added.
"Aye, aye," John said wondering how he was going to remember to do all of the things that were now expected of him.
"An' during times of battle yer to provide the gunner's assistants with fresh powder. Don't worry, I'll show ye where everything is an' remind ye of yer duties if ye forget," Mr. Noland said. "Now if yer finished eating ye can clean the table and take it out to the washin' buckets out on deck."
John nodded and began his new duty as cabin boy feeling relieved and thankful. At least I'll get to spend time with the captain, John thought as he cleared the leftover food and dishes from the table, using the tray that the quartermaster had brought in.
He took the tray, heavy with dishes, out to the deck to wash them in the buckets that had been set out for washing up after meals. When he was done washing the dishes and was ready to put them away, he went back to the captain's cabin. Inside, the quartermaster was waiting. John's training began immediately.