Captain’s Log
Editor’s Note: There is an Epilogue to this Story, which I shall publish separately.
…begin…
Captain’s log, 16 February 1784.
As I take up my pen, it appears to me that the Mutiny has now quite fully been crush’d; the leaders, and the chief bringers of Violence, suitably punish’d for their Insolence.
To this end, I am indebted to the keen eyes, astute Awareness and loyalty of my First Mate, Higgins, who has unwaveringly brought forth those among the seamen who were culprits and conspirators in this despicable, though happily doom’d, endeavour; Higgins, who even now stands abaft, stroking his chin carefully, attentive to all that happens on the main Deck and alert to the noises and rumours from Below; his Pistol cast over his right shoulder, at ease it seems, and yet with no semblance of Relaxation in his frame. Surely, Higgins is the saviour of this Vessel and its Captain, if anyone is, and must needs receive due honour once we attain Port.
Alas that our Crew should be so sadly depleted by this venom of Conspiracy! For though we were some twenty souls when we left Portsmouth but eight months ago, we are now shrunk to but five: myself as Captain; Higgins as Mate; Higgins’ wife, who attends us as naturalist and emissary from His Majesty, and now, in our lessened crew, provides such service as can; Peterson, formerly cook and barber-surgeon, now regrettably confin’d to the Brig in penance for his participation in the lewd Uprising that so disgrac’d our beloved Vessel during that turbulent spell (his engagement in the Riot being satisfactorily shewn by Higgins to be of so minor a degree as to spare him the Plank and the Noose, yet sufficient to justify his flogging and incarceration); and the cabin boy Ned, a lad of some twelve summers, who speaks little even when commanded and spends most of his days below, when he is not engag’d in the minor Chores and Tasks which are his alloted Purpose on board.
We are fortunate indeed that we have escap’d storm and gale, and that Higgins has sufficient of the Navigator’s art that he is able to both plot course and take Helm to guide us back to England! For I, in sooth, have none, being but a Captain in name only; and that, a fact I did not discover until we were long at Sea. Even so, our sails must remain as they were last set, ere our chief riggers Williams and Cookson were rightly condemn’d to the Deep. When the wind is high, the passage is troublesome indeed; when low, we are almost becalm’d, for lack of experienc’d sailhands.
I must here also pay due honour to Mrs Higgins, whose patient and careful Attentions have so eased my days, and contributed so much to my Protection from the Violence without. For she it was who took it upon her self (no doubt under careful instruction from her devoted Husband) to ensure that I was secure in these Captain’s Quarters, with good supply of meat and drink; she waiting patiently on me, behind lock’d door, while Higgins handl’d the tumult beyond.
Indeed, it was Mrs Higgins who first brought to me the News that I am the true Captain of this noble Vessel, but five days hence, and that the other was but a Pretender – now suitably despatch’d whither shipboard traitors are destined, to the Abysses both mortal and divine – emplaced here for reasons of security of the true Mission of the Vessel; the Admiralty apparently determining that this was the most Reliable manner of securing our Ship, owing to the mutinous Tendency of the men on board.
Well and long shall I remember the night she brought me the devastating News! She crept in to the mens’ Quarters, where I slept but fitfully, then silently beckon’d and led me by the hand to the Captain’s Quarters which are now my Haven, and while Rebellion remain’d were my Prison; she it was who, with me, quieted the Incumbent and helped me dispose of his Corpse overboard, the Watch having been brib’d to remain unalert; and she it was who ensur’d that we were together secur’d within.
The while, Higgins paces the Decks, seemingly sleepless, in tireless effort to root out the Corruption that spread among the men. Occasionally still, a shot will ring out, in warning perhaps for the few remaining Souls on board; it seems unnecessary, but Higgins is ruthless in his pursuit of Justice, and I love him greatly for this! Surely, no Captain had a more loyal Mate. It is easy to forgive those accidents in which a ball, having been discharg’d from his eager firearm, has struck the door or the bulkhead of the Captain’s Quarters themselves.
Meanwhile, Mrs Higgins is very solicitous to my needs. I am no seaman, as perhaps is evident; I do not know the customs and practices afloat. Without her, I should have been at a loss regarding personal matters; however, I being without valet or chamber servant, she has without a moment’s hesitation aided me in my bathing and my toilet.
Regrettably, the Captain’s Quarters have but a single bed. No Gentleman could, of course, permit a lady to sleep on the floor among rugs and blankets; and yet, my having offer’d the pillows to Mrs Higgins, that worthy and unblemish’d Lady did not blink before insisting that, the bed being of sufficient size to contain two persons, I should be spar’d the boards too!
There is, indeed, little for me to do as Captain, while secur’d in this protective Enclave. Thus I pass much of the long days resting abed, Mrs Higgins lying alongside; or, occasionally, a little closer.
Mrs Higgins brings me news from time to time of the doings Without. I presume she confers secretly with her Husband during my hours of sleep, when she feels able to relax her Attentions a little, and she is confident in my Safety. Without this information, I should know no more of the course of the ship than I do of the paths of the Planets!
I have offer’d, on several occasions, to speak to Higgins directly, or at the least to admit him to my Chambers that we might confer directly. To these offers, Mrs Higgins has advis’d urgently to the contrary, with tears in her eyes in very Terror for possible challenge to my Safety. Surely, if Higgins is the embodiment of all that is noble and virtuous in a man, his wife performs, in her delicate Ministrations, an exactly parallel course of Virtue on behalf of her own Sex.
Thus I spend my days. I cannot in truth say it is entirely unpleasant, aching though my heart is for the tireless efforts of my two most devoted Servants.
I end this Log entry now; Mrs Higgins insisting that I, exhausted from its penning, should join her once more in the Captain’s bed. I leave it to God to chart the course my life, and those who have done so much to care for me.
…end…