The Lazarus Curse Read Online Free PDF

said. He switched his gaze to Thomas. “Men such as yourself, Silkstone.”
    The young doctor shifted in his chair, uncomfortable with such praise, but before he could reply, Sir Joseph continued. “I’ll be plain with you. There were those in the Society who were a little reluctant to employ an American in the light of recent”—he searched for an appropriate word—“er . . . circumstances. However, I don’t hold with such stuff and nonsense. Knowledge needs to be shared. It has no borders or boundaries; no politics or prejudice. And we need the best men. That is why I have decided”—he paused briefly to correct himself—“the Royal Society has decided, to ask you, Dr. Silkstone, to take charge of cataloguing the manifest of the West Indies expedition.”
    Thomas had, unconsciously, been holding his breath as he listened to Sir Joseph. Now he breathed deeply with relief and his face broke into a smile.
    “You honor me, sir.”
    “It was not easy, mind.” Sir Joseph wagged his finger. “The applicants were falling over themselves for the post. But I believe you show such promise.” He nodded his head, as if to reassure himself as much as Thomas that he had made the right decision, before he went on. “There are many great discoveries to be made,” he said. “The expedition’s collections will no doubt contain treasures beyond compare; new flora, new fauna, new cures, new treatments.”
    Thomas pictured the array of exotic specimens in his mind’s eye as the Elizabeth breasted the waves on her homeward voyage, a sort of Noah’s Ark of all the weird and wonderful creations that the Lord had bestowed upon the islands of the Caribbean Sea. It would be his task to classify them all, from the tiniest seed to the tallest tree fern, from the humblest insect to the most magnificent reptile. He was well aware that Sir Joseph and the late botanist Daniel Solander had invented a new method of plant classification while on the Endeavour expedition with Captain Cook. The learning curve would not merely be steep, but strewn with many unexpected hazards. There would be unavoidable errors, misidentifications, and false dawns. His face betrayed his anxiety at the enormity of the venture.
    “I see you have doubts, Dr. Silkstone,” remarked Sir Joseph, settling back behind his desk.
    “I . . .” Thomas found himself fumbling awkwardly. “I am sure your trust in me will not be misplaced, sir.”
    Sir Joseph’s dark brows dipped slightly. “Your humility is a good thing. I cannot abide arrogance in a man, but you are right to feel burdened by the weight we are placing on your shoulders.”
    Thomas frowned. He anticipated there was more.
    Sir Joseph’s lips curled into a smile. “Have no fear, Silkstone. I have arranged assistance.”
    A look of puzzlement slid across Thomas’s face.
    “Mr. Bartlett will be helping you,” continued the great man. “He is the excellent botanical artist who accompanied the expedition. I trained him personally in the new method of classification. He will be invaluable to you.”
    Thomas nodded. “I am most grateful to you, sir.”
    “It is Mr. Bartlett who is deserving of your gratitude,” came the reply. “He has endured great torments in the name of science. In the last dispatch I had from Dr. Welton before he died, he informed me they spent an uncomfortable few days in the company of the Maroons.”
    Thomas was unfamiliar with the term. He frowned.
    “Runaway slaves,” explained Sir Joseph. “At one point the expedition members feared for their lives; however, by some means they managed to befriend the natives and, I believe, became privy to some of their cures. The Maroons even assisted them in their collection. As a result almost two hundred specimens were gathered.” He was nodding enthusiastically as he spoke. “Welton instructed Bartlett in how they should be drawn and which parts were to be depicted. He knew it was imperative to capture the plants’ forms while