Read Online Kings Pinnacle by Robert Gourley - Free Book Online

Untie the prisoner and
pull him off his horse gently, lads,” said the major in his normal
Scottish accent.
    “ Your face looks pretty
bad, Hugh,” said Robert, as he pulled off the major’s uniform and
looked at it with disgust.
    “ Weel, ye should see the
other lad,” said Hugh with a grin.
    “I did,” replied Robert.
“That lad’s knuckles did look badly bruised.”
    At which Hugh started to laugh, but he
stopped short and grabbed his broken ribs.
    “Robber, don’t make me
laugh. It hurts too much. By the way, where did you get that
mustache?” asked Hugh.
    Robert just smiled at him.
     
    * * * *
     
    Alex
     
    After the storm passed, the
ship, crew and passengers returned to their normal daily routines.
Alex slept late in his hammock the next day and finally awoke when
the sun was high in the sky. He got up and began a search for
something to eat; he was famished from the previous day’s effort.
One of the young sailors Alex was friendly with found him in the
galley trying to beg something to eat from the cook.
    “ Alex, the captain wants
to see you in his cabin,” said the young tar.
    “Aye, I’ll go there right
now,” replied Alex.
    Alex gave up his search for
food and climbed the ladder up to the main deck. He made his way
aft and climbed the ladder to quarterdeck, where he asked the
captain’s steward to lead him to the captain’s quarters. The
steward was aware that the captain had asked to see him, so he led
Alex into the corridors behind the wheelhouse. When he arrived at
the captain’s quarters, the steward knocked on the captain’s
door.
    “Captain, the passenger that
ye requested to see is here,” said the steward.
    “ Show him in,” replied the
captain.
    The steward opened the captain’s door
and motioned for Alex to enter.
    “Thank you for coming to see
me, Mackenzie. Have a seat,” said the captain.
    “It’s my pleasure, sir. What
can I do for you?”
    “First I want to thank you
for helping the crew during the storm yesterday. Without your help,
we might have had much more difficulty handling the ship during the
deluge. By keeping the bilge pumps going, you made the ship easier
to handle during the storm and kept it from wallowing so much in
the waves. I have also noticed during the voyage that you often
help the crew with mending sails and other such shipboard duties.
For that I would also like to thank you,” said the
captain.
    “No thanks are necessary,
captain. I enjoy staying busy and there’s not much else for me to
do other than eat and sleep,” replied Alex.
    “We are most likely about
two weeks from Philadelphia. It’s been a longer than expected
voyage, and the crew and passengers are getting anxious to arrive.
When we do arrive in Philadelphia, I know that I will have some
desertions among the crew. On each trip a few of the crew decide
that they would rather try their luck in America rather than
serving on a passenger ship. I know I’ll be shorthanded on the
return voyage. I was wondering if you would like to join the crew
for the return voyage. I know it’s unlikely since you paid to go to
America, but I thought I would ask anyway.”
    “Sir, I am honored that you
have made me the offer, but I must respectfully decline. I intend
to start a new life in America and I believe that is the life that
is meant for me. Thank you very much for the offer
though.”
    “Well, I had to try. Thanks
for coming to speak with me and best of luck to you in America. My
steward will show you out,” concluded the captain.
    The steward was summoned,
but before he could lead Alex out the door, Alex turned to the
captain. “Captain, sir,” said Alex, “there is something else you
could do for me, if you want to show your thanks.”
    “ What is that, lad?” asked
the captain.
    “ You could ask the cook to
give me a bit of food to help me regain my strength,” said Alex
with a grin.
    “That I can do, and gladly,”
replied the captain, returning Alex’s smile.