Sunday, 17th April 1667

During the following weeks, we continued capturing Dutch ships, spending two, three or four days at sea, followed by a night's respite in Nevis before sailing again. Of a mid-forenoon, as we approached with our sixth prize, Delfe lay to anchor in the roads with three of the King's ships and six less daunting armed merchantmen. Three more than when we sailed.

Beyond them, much closer to the strand, lay our ten other prizes. I was surprised to see them moved to there, and even more so to see them lashed together, side-by-side in two groups of five.

Why would they have done this? The security changes Captain and the others began discussing while I served? Possibly. Make it more difficult for a ship to come in and take one from us? Hah! How folly it would be for anyone to approach, let alone to enter. But what about the armed merchantmen that have joined us? Can they be trusted not to steal away with one in the dark of night?

But why would they do that? With all these islands captured from us, there remains no market but in Jamaica - much too far away in the present circumstances, Captain had said. And here, everyone worries about the coming attack; and in Barbados, they do the same. When will it come?

The sounds of Master's voice and of luffing sails diverted my mind to present matters as Zealand turned up into the wind, making ready to anchor. Then, seeing the towing hawser remained attached, I wondered why it was different this time. While I puzzled, two longboats filled with stout hands pulled toward us. Aha! To take the hawser and tow the prize through the crowded anchorage to join the others.

While our rode rattled out through the hawse pipe, I watched a longboat being pulled from ship to ship. Later, as we settled to our anchor, the boat pulled toward us, and when it was sufficiently near, I saw it filled with finely-dressed men - the ship's captains, I assumed. Ten of them. Must fetch tae.

I looked at Captain to see him turn to me, smile and say, "For twelve, Boy."

"Aye, sir."

As I descended for the pannier and headed forward with it, I thought: While the water boils and the tae steeps, return to set the dishes and bowls on the table, that it be ready for them when they arrive. I chuckled to myself. And ensure I am able to listen to all their intercourse this time.

Several minutes later, when I returned to the great cabin, the pannier filled with two large pots of tae and three baskets, the captains were all sitting at the table. I set the pannier in the pantry, removed two scones, and then took the baskets to the table.

As I returned with a pot of tae to pour, I recognised it was Captain Berry who spoke, "From aloft, we can see the French anchorage at Basse Terre. Since our arrival, we have watched sails come and go, but I felt it unwise to investigate until we had a larger force assembled here."

"We have seen several during each of our passings these three weeks. Also, in their small harbour at Pointe de Sable. No naval vessels among them, though. All were small merchantmen." Captain's reply caused me to see there is much more involved in this than taking prizes.

"What about at Fort Charles?"

"We have seen none there."

"They might be unaware of our silver and sulphur mines."

"More likely, their trade is with only their own settlements and plantations, not with our former ones. [1] Besides, with their recent capture of it, they might be greeted with animosity - or worse. Better they approach with their Navy ships first. And with soldiers to establish and maintain order."

"True. And that they have not yet done anything might be because their naval effort was concentrated in the south, retaking Suriname." I watched Captain Berry wince. "But to here. To prevent their usurpation of our works there and the reinforcement of their own, we shall establish a blockade. This will make it easier for us to retake it - and possibly, to capture their portions."

I finished pouring tae and returned to the pantry, pleased I now knew the meaning of blockade. Even more pleased that there is hope to recapture our losses. Will we join them in doing this? Forego taking more prizes? Or will we now turn to capturing French ships?

While I savoured a bite of scone, Captain's voice took me from my pondering when he asked, "What will you have us do, John?"

"I see no need for you to change, William. With the windward side of the island being reef-strewn and offering no protection, the settlements are only on this side. Two or three of our armed merchantmen are sufficient to patrol while the others remain here, ready for an attack."

While sipping tae and enjoying a scone, I continued listening. "Our role is to use intimidation - force only if necessary - to dissuade their ships from departing and to scare off any attempting to enter the anchorages."

The intercourse then turned to discussing the details of ship rotations, and I allowed my mind to wander to capturing more prizes and to enjoying my tae and scones.

A while later, I heard Captain ask about the prisoners, so I returned my attention to hear the response. "All the officers and mates are now held in the church, and with only three hovels [2] completed in the stockade, the ordinary seamen of one ship remain guarded aboard. Aboard two ships now with your new capture."

"Yes, wise to sequester the leaders. Reduce the possibility of an organised uprising. And feeding them in all these places - how have you arranged this?"

"They now all eat from their own stores. We landed the remainder of the fresh and perishable to the church, as well as some of the dried and salted, and of course, the senior cooks are there. Puncheons, hogsheads and firkins have been landed to the stockade, along with cauldrons and other cookery matter. Those who are there have organised the preparation among themselves."

A different voice spoke, "We are told the next hovel will be completed on the morrow, so all the ships can be emptied."

Captain chuckled. "Until we bring more prizes. Two or three days hence, the hovels will again be full."

"Ah, but we continue building them. Now that the methods are learnt, each takes only three or four days."

"Excellent!" After a pause, Captain added, "Boy! Come pour more tae."

"Aye, sir."

Notes:

[1] Saint Christopher, now St Kitts, had been shared by England and France until January, when the French captured the English portion.
[2] A hovel at the time was an open shed or shelter. In the hot climate here, it would serve mainly as protection from the sun and rain. Also, it would be a place to sling their hammocks.