The Guinea Thief - Chapter 2 - A press gang and a pie

One morning a few months later Mrs Goody shooed him out of the house bright and early, “You’re no good to me around here dreaming the day away, off you go and fetch these errands for me, I can’t be in two places at once.”
The errands were fairly straight forward, to go to the docks and get some nice fresh Emsworth oysters for the pie that Mrs Goody had planned for tonight, then on to the cobblers to pick up some boots that Mr Goody had put in for repair and would be needed on his return that day; finally to settle up with the drapers for the month. . “Don’t be in no hurry to get back neither, I’m fixing to clean up the house before Bob gets home and I don’t want you in the way. Take a shilling’ out of what’s left over and you can have a pint or two on the way home.”

Jack didn’t need to be asked twice. He took the money from Mrs Goody and was out of the house like a shot. A whole day to himself, with no-one chasing him for jobs to do, and money in his pocket. Jack smiled to himself, “some days life was so very sweet.”

Jack sauntered down to the quay to see what the oystermen had to offer this morning. He knew that Mrs Goody was fussy about who she bought her oysters from, only those from Emsworth were good enough, she said, you couldn’t be too careful with oysters and Jack had seen some of the lads tangle with a rotten oyster before and it could lead to all sorts of nasty things. He even heard of one lad who died – picked up typhoid fever from a batch bought in London so they said. All in all it seemed fair enough to be careful about where they came from. The harbour at Emsworth had bred oysters for centuries, Old George was rumoured to sell a barrel a week to the Prince of Wales. It had to be said that George’s boat’s were looking in fine fettle and he himself had plenty of time to chat these days as he had lads who did the real graft for him.
“Morning George, got any nice fresh ones for Mrs Goody.” “Well me lad, it’s lucky you cum nice n’early like, I’ve had to send a couple of barrels up to the Admiral from this mornings batch. He’s expecting an important visitor. Like as not, it’s the Duke of York, I’ve been told. Only you didn’t hear that from me, of course, top secret and all that.” George tapped the side off his extraordinarily large red nose. “Just one barrel left there is, how many does the lovely lady need. Is she making one of her special pies? Something to celebrate eh?”

“Can’t hide nothing from you George. As a matter of fact Mr Goody’s expected back on the tide tonight. He’s been gone best part of a month and Mrs Goody bless her, is in a right old state tidying the house before he comes home. Not that there’s anything left to tidy, the house is like a new pin. I had to get out this morning or she’d have polished me to within an inch of my life I reckon.”

“Well tell her from me, he’s a lucky man and no mistake. Should she ever change her mind, I’m a clean living man who’s in need of a goodly wife, mine was taken from me when she was still a slip of a girl many years ago.”

The oysters secured and left with George for safe keeping till later, Jack decided to idle away a couple of hours on the quayside before setting back towards the drapers and the cobblers in town. The warmth of the sun on his back made him feel lazy and a few hours spent day dreaming seemed the perfect way to spend what was left of the morning. It was too early for a beer, so he made his way up by the Round Tower where the old men sat and watched the comings and goings of the day. It was a smashing day for fishing and Jack wished he’d had the foresight to bring his rod. Even if he had caught nothing all day, it would have been a perfect way to spend a day like this. Never mind he thought, there’s plenty going on and he was sure he’d find something interesting to do. A couple of hours later Jack had dozed off in the sunshine leaning against a bollard on the quayside. He was dreaming he was back in France with Delphine. He must have been in a deep sleep for when he awoke it was with a start. Someone was roughly kicking his feet. JACK, confused and dazzled by the sunshine put one arm up to shield his eyes from the sun. He looked closely at the man and saw a tall man in uniform. Before he had a chance to object to being so rudely woken by a complete stranger the tall man said,

“I said wake up you young layabout. What’s your name and what’s your business?”

Jack was startled by the roughness of the man’s tone, and stuttered in surprise,

“Jack, Jack Wilson sir. I’m a fisherman.”

The Lieutenant, for that was what he was, responded sarcastically,

“What? No fish to catch today? I see plenty of fish in the sea, but no rod here.”

“Well sir, today’s a special day, I was told I could have the day off.”

“A day off, I like that. Do you hear that lads, this lucky fella has a day off!” The Lieutenant looked intently at Jack. “You’d know a thing or two about boats then, if you are a fisherman as you say?”

Jack was still barely awake and confused by the mans questions. He answered back perhaps a little more cockily than was wise, “Yes sir, I do.” Jack nervously rubbed his neck where the sweat was beginning to prickle his skin, and then rubbed his damp hands on his trousers.

The Lieutenant drew himself to his full height.

“Well my lad, it looks like it’s your lucky day. How do you fancy a chance to see the world?”

Jack glanced round at the other soldiers and then over his shoulder. Suddenly the truth dawned on Jack. This was a press gang and he was their prey. Jack nervously stood up.

“I really should be going Sir. I have to pick up some oysters for supper.”

“mmm… sounds very tasty your supper. I wouldn’t mind oysters for supper myself. How about you lads? Fancy some fresh oysters?”

“But sir, I really do have to get back. I’m expected home. Mr. Goody’s back tonight, after weeks at sea. Mrs. Goody is waiting for them oysters so she can make him supper.”

The Lieutenant looked Jack squarely in the eyes and said in a very serious tone.

“The thing is lad, I’m sure your country needs you a damn sight more than Mr. Goody needs his oysters. Haven’t you heard there is a war on and we need every able bodied seaman to fit out His Majesty’s Navy?”

Jack was very worried by now, this conversation was not going well.

“Indeed I have sir. But I am not yet 18 sir. If you’ll just let me go home sir, I can prove it.”

The Lieutenant smiled a sinister smile and sneered sarcastically.
“Got a paper, have we? Well that’s fine and dandy then. Run along home and we will just sit here and wait till you be so good as to come back and show us your paper.”

Jack was about to shake the Lieutenant’s hand and thank him, when the Lieutenant drew his sword and placed it under Jack’s chin.

“Don’t ever mess with me sonny. I’ve been a Lieutenant of the Impress Service for the past ten years, I’ve never failed to meet a quota yet. Today I need three likely lads to join the Warrior, and you’re my last. So don’t give me any more of your nonsense. (To all his men) “Lets get back to the Rendezvous. All this talking has given me a raging thirst.”

“Now sonny, can you just remind me, what’s the name of this latest recruit to His Majesty’s Navy?” Said the Lieutenant.

“Wilson sir, Jack Wilson” responded Jack dully.

“Well, Mr. Wilson. Welcome to a new life at sea.” Riposted the Lieutenant.

Jack realised that he really was in deep trouble and tried frantically to think if way he could get out of this mess. The soldiers were huge burly men and there was no way he was going to be able to escape on his own. He was going to have to get help.

As they began to walk away, Jack said in as casual way as he could manage.

“Sir, about those oysters. I left them over on the quayside with George, it would be a shame to let them go to waste, shall I go and fetch them for your supper?”

“Now Son, that’s the kind of attitude that will get you far around here. Sergeant,” the Lieuentant turned towards the oldest of the men, “ go with Mr Wilson and pick up the oysters and catch us up as quick as you can.”

The Sergeant grinned at the Lieutenant and then scowled at Jack.

“Right lad, no nonsense. Let’s get them oysters and then get going.”

Jack pointed in the direction of George’s stall on the quayside. “It’s just over there it’ll only take a moment.” Jack had been secretly hoping that the Sergeant would be lazy enough to let him go alone, and he could make a dash for freedom. But that was far too obvious and the Sergeant had no intention of having to explain to the Lieutenant how he had lost his catch so easily.

The Sergeant nodded curtly in the direction Jack had been pointing.

“Then what are we waiting for? Move it.”

As Jack walked the hundred feet to where George was waiting he tried to think of what he could do next. But he was drawing a complete blank. He needed help, but old George was not going to be able to do much, really he needed Mr Goody but he had no idea what time he was getting back. Jack desperately tried to think of something to say, somehow he had to get a message home, it was his only hope, and a slim one, at that.

George was standing by the stall talking to one of Mr Goody’s crew Fred. With luck that meant Mr Goody too was back home.

“Ah Young, Jack About time. I was beginning to wonder of you were ever coming to pick up the oysters.

“Afternoon George. Thanks for holding on to them. I got a bit caught up in something. I’ll be heading back now. If you see Fred tell him I was looking for him.”

Fred and George both looked at Jack and then each other. Fred raised his eyebrows, and cast a look at the burly soldier standing just behind Jack. Jack shifted uncomfortably. Fred nodded quickly to George and said

“Right then George I’ll be off, I’ve got some business to attend to.”

George nodded absently as he fished in the barrel for the bag containing Jack’s oysters and solemnly handed them over to Jack.

“There you are lad, make sure you get these back to Mrs Goody nice and sharp, she’ll be wondering where you are, it’s getting late.”

The Sergeant coughed loudly, nudged Jack’s elbow and bent down to whisper in his ear.

“Time to go, Sonny.”

Jack nodded, took the bag and hurried back in the direction of the Lieutenant and his men.

The Rendezvous was a tavern called the The Red Lion just opposite the dockyard gate. As Jack followed the sergeant inside the tavern he could barely make out a thing, the contrast between the light outside and the gloominess inside being so strong. Immediately to his right there were a number of tables and chairs, all empty bar one at which the Lieutenant’s men and the two lads were sitting. A large open fireplace betrayed a few glowing embers, which gave off no warmth. Straight in front of Jack there was a wall with a counter bar and a small serving hatch built in, the Lieutenant was standing at the bar talking to someone on the other side of the hatch. In the far corner was a doorway. It was possibly the least welcoming tavern Jack had seen in his life. The sergeant indicated that Jack should join the other lads at the table and made his way to the bar. The Lieutenant gave the Sergeant a hearty clap on the back and Jack heard him order two more beers and a tot of rum. Sergeant Johnstone handed over the bag of oysters to Lieutenant.

“Alfred, I’ve managed to bag myself some quality oysters as well as three likely lads today. It’s been quite a success all round. Could you ask Maggie if she could turn them into a tasty pie for me and the lads. I’m not in a hurry to get the boys back to the ship, and I reckon Maggie might be able to turn these into something good.”

“I’ll see what I can do, not promises though, Maggie’s not in the sweetest temper today. She burnt the custard earlier and it’s put her in a terrible mood.”

The sergeant came over to the table with Jack’s beer, gave a cursory nod to ensure all was well and then headed back to the bar.

Being stuck at the table unable to move after sitting in the brilliant sunshine so long earlier in the day, Jack was soon feeling cold and miserable. He shivered. The other boys appeared to be feeling the cold too. After suffering for some half an hour, Jack decided to speak up, unable to bear it amoment longer.

“Sir, would we be able to get the fire going a little more sir, it’s awfully chilly in here.”

The man guarding the three lads was not so old himself and still fairly new to the Impress service. He felt some sympathy for the lads plight as before he himself had joined the service he had known a few of his friends fall foul of the press gang. He glanced at the three lads.

“You two feeling the cold as well?” he asked

The boys silently nodded.

“Right you are then I’ll see what I can do.” He stood up, unable to leave his charges and called out. “Sergeant, could we rouse this fire into something a bit more warming?”

The Sergeant nodded his assent and turned to speak to Alfred at the bar. A few moments later the door in the far corner opened and framed in the light from the passageway behind was the silhouette of a young girl. She bustled noisily over the fireplace and quickly got down to work. A few pokes of the logs and some judiciously placed kindling and the fire soon crackled into life. The flames picked out the golden flames of her own hair, Jack realised that not only himself but all the men, save the Lieutenant, were staring at the young girl.

“Rosie, my sweet.” said the Sergeant his voice softened almost beyond recognition.

The Lieutenant turned round. He’d been far too engrossed in his conversation with Albert to hear her enter the room.

“Rosie, how’s Maggie coming on with that pie?” asked the Lieutenant.

Rosie gave a mock curtsey and a smile that could melt the wax on a candle.

“She’s doing her best, Sir, the pies should be ready in a little while. We weren’t expecting quite such a crowd tonight.”
“Well tell her I am ravenously hungry and right now anything would taste good. This beer is giving me quite an appetite.”

Rosie gave another of her mouth-watering smiles and looked round at the three boys, then back to the Lieutenant.

“Of course Sir. I’ll let her know you are all looking forward to your supper. I’ll be bringing it to you presently.”

The Lieutenant nodded his assent to Rosie and got back to his deep conversation with Albert. Rosie left the room through the doorway at the back of the room and as the door closed behind her it seemed as if more than the light from the hallway behind had been eclipsed. To Jack and the boys it felt as if the sun had been eclipsed behind the moon. Silence and darkness enfolded them and left all of them to their own troubled thoughts. Jack was contemplating an uncertain future in His Majesty’s Navy and the awful prospect of not seeing home again for a very long time. A glance at the two other boys gave Jack the impression that they too were deep down the same track of thought, their glum expressions giving all their thoughts away.

Jack was lost in thought, picturing himself cold and wounded on some distant shore with no familiar arms to wrap themselves around him and give him comfort, when he was startled out of his reverie. Rosie had returned with a steaming tray of pies. The first two were delivered to the Lieutenant and the Sergeant. Moments later the pungent scent of warm pastry and rich oyster gravy assaulted Jack’s nostrils. He could not help salivating. It had been a long time since he had eaten, a fact which had gone unnoticed as he focused on other more pressing concerns. Now the prospect of a hot meal presented itself he realised he was starving.

Moments later Rosie appeared at their table with arms laden with succulent pies. To the boys at that moment it seemed as if an angel had descended from heaven to bring them light and sustenance for the arduous journey which lay ahead. Their troubles temporarily left them, and all they could think was “how fortunate they were to be here, at this moment, in the presence of such beauty and bounty. They were stupefied and could only grin inanely as the pies were set down in front of them. To speak would have been sacrilege and would have broken the spell that bound them. Rosie gave them one more dazzling smile and the boys felt as though she not only had blessed the food before them, she had also absolved them from all their sins. The boys continues to stare at the pies and only when Rosie encouraged them with a “Please eat something boys.” did they stir from their reverie and feel able to pick up their forks.

As Jack put the first morsel in his mouth his senses were overwhelmed by the smell, the texture and the taste of the food. A humble pie had been transformed into food fit for a king. Jack and the boys abandoned themselves to their eating, so it was largely unnoticed that four men had entered the tavern and were now talking to Albert.