True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

pirates. A warship is no place for a young lady. You should be at home attending parties, being courted by young men. Not risk being felt up or worse by uncouth sailors who do nothing but lust after women the many months they are at sea.” He’d chosen his words to make her blush. Instead, it only seemed to anger her.
    “I will be honest back. I assume the officers and my chaperone intend to keep my honor safe. I expect more from British soldiers of the Royal Navy. I would hate for word to get back to King George that you would think of mistreating someone in his service. I have been asked to employ my talent of painting in service to the King, and nothing would please me more. I have spent my whole life on Costa Rica, and I am ready to do something more than be a play toy at parties and balls. I think you should take me to your captain and let him decide.”
    Randall sighed. “He has put out orders not to be disturbed, for any reason.”
    “Oh yes, Mr. Upham had mentioned he was the commanding type. Well then it serves him right.”
    “Yes,” Randall smiled with a twinkle in his eye, “yes it does.”
    Randall shouted to another soldier at the top of the plank. “Get Ms. Welch and her chaperone’s bags. Show them to one of the guests’ staterooms.”
    “Yes sir.”
    Randall turned back to Mary, “Do you have all your supplies?”
    “Yes, they are in two of those trunks. The other three contain my clothes.”
    “Traveling light, I see ,” he said dryly.
    “How long will we be gone? Should I have packed more?” Ms. Welch had a worried look on her face.
    “We do have wash days. I was being humorous . We do expect to survey at least a month on this coast, at which point we will come back to port for supplies, and if the Captain is pleased, to deliver you safely home. Otherwise, you may have to walk the plank.” He winked.
    Mary smiled. “ Lieutenant Cullen?”
    “Yes?”
    “Thank you,” Mary flashed him a genuine smile, which made his heart melt. It was almost worth all the hell he knew he was going to have to pay for letting her aboard. But it wasn’t often he was able to get one over on Captain Graham, and this pretty little joke would be a good one for retelling on the long journey home. He would plead, “Orders were orders.” She had hers, and he had his. Served Bennett right. And if the scenery wasn't pleasant enough on this voyage, the diversion she provided would be.
    ***
    Captain Graham looked at the antiquated map he had used to get to the port. Except for the two larger islands, Isla del Cocos and Isla del Caño, the others weren't even present. Talking to locals he had found there were several. Possibly a dozen or more. How could merchant ships even attempt to keep safe from pirate attacks if they did not even know where the enemy was coming from?
    The mountains ran all the way to the coast, providing coves and caves guarded by rocky promontories which were the perfect places for criminals to hide. If he could catch the pirates unawares, say trapping them in the caves at a high tide, he could use cannon fire to shatter the rocks above their hiding places, sealing them in or at the very least, trapping their vessels. The very rocks providing cover could be turned into shoals which would tear a ship apart. Now , how to approach the islands. Should he head north first, and then swing south, or vice versa? Cocos Island was their most infamous hideout so ‘twas best to start on the ends of the coast and circle the main isle last. He needed to know where to circle. The pirates were coming from Africa, Portugal, and Spain. They would be more familiar with the northern part of the coast than he. Would it be possible to catch some pirates unaware on one of the smaller islands, then bribe them to disclose the lay of the land? This might be the wisest course of action.
    Many scenarios ran through Captain Graham’s head, and he would prepare mentally for each one. Mentally walking through what could be