New to Baron Britpop Blastfurnace? You can read Books 1 & 2 starting here:
In the previous chapter, The Jellyfish arrived in The United States. A French ship sailed by Lafayette approached them, and the two crews met.
After making camp on the beach, Lafayette and Leon Allard met with the crew of The Jellyfish.
“As you are renowned pirates, General Washington will likely want you to serve as privateers and raid British merchant ships,” Lafayette said.
“I promised Ana I would stop pirating. And as you know, a privateer is nothing more than a pirate with a letter of permission from a King. Most of us have lived that life already,” I said.
“Aye. And I am in no hurry to live it again,” Barrelhoop said.
“I cannot break my word to Ana. I will not be a pirate or privateer again,” I stated.
“This is a war for independence. The independence of the country you hope to live in. Can you not justify sailing as a naval Captain defending your country?” Lafayette asked.
I thought for a moment. “I could consider serving as a military Captain. But the crew would all have to agree.”
“Discuss it. And let me know. We plan to leave tomorrow for Philadelphia.”
“Surely you will not sail to Philadelphia. You will likely encounter the British navy.”
“We plan to travel by horse,” Lafayette said.
A voice from behind us spoke loudly. “You are a two-week ride from Philadelphia. If you are lucky.”
We looked around but couldn’t see where the voice was coming from.
“Show yourself. We mean you no harm,” I shouted.
“Easy to say,” the voice responded.
Lafayette spoke next. “I am The Marquis de Lafayette. As a Frenchman and representative of King Louis XVI, I give you my word that no harm will come to you.”
A man stood up from behind a sand dune. He was dressed all in furs.
“I am Gabriel Skinner. I saw your ships and got curious. Then I heard you speaking French. Most Frenchmen are up north or down in that God-forsaken swamp, New France. Which the British hold now and are welcome to, if you ask me. It’s hotter than the fires of Hades down there.”
“Join us for some food, Gabriel,” I said.
“Much obliged,” he replied and walked over and sat down. “What are two ships full of Frenchmen doing in North Carolina?”
“I have come to aid the war for independence,” Lafayette said.
“And we have come to start a new life,” I replied. “And you?”
“Most folks here came to start a new life. As did I. I am from Bordeaux. I came to be a fur trapper. Eventually, I found myself in Quebec, where I fell in love with a native woman. ‘Cept her family wanted none of it. We was forced to leave, or they would have likely killed me. We went south, but my woman took ill and died. I been wandering ever since. Taking work where I could get it, trappin’ a little, and drinking too much.”
“Can we hire you as a guide?” Lafayette said.
“I could use the coin. But if you are smart, you will sail up the Chesapeake Bay. That will take you only a few days ride from Philadelphia.”
“I will pay you ten livres in gold if you can lead us all the way to Philadelphia.”
“Gold, you say? Well, I got nothing pressing to do. And I am enjoying conversing in French. Deal.”
“Excellent,” Lafayette said. “We leave in the morning. Britpop, I await your decision. I hope you see fit to join us.”
“We will discuss it,” I replied.
“Well, Lads. There is much to consider. We could simply go inland and hope the British lose the war. Or we can come to the aid of our new country. What say you?”
“I am of no mind to join a navy,” Jonas said.
The same sentiment was echoed by all of the crew.
“Nor am I. But I am of a mind that we could serve well by capturing British supply ships. If we can intercept enough ships, it could cripple the war effort. Turning British public opinion against the war and securing supplies for our troops.”
There was silence for a moment, and then Barrelhoop spoke up. “If you are of a mind to sail, then I will sail with you, Captain. Come what may.”
“And I,” Scar Arm added.
The rest of the crew followed suit.
“Then we sail with Lafayette for Philadelphia.”
I was not looking forward to telling Ana.
Next Chapter:
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, typo catches, etc. Thank you.
Mark
" I promised Maria I would stop pirating." ha ha ha
“Gold, you say? Well, I got nothing pressing to do. And I am enjoying conversing in French. Deal.”
"I was not looking forward to telling Ana." American history a la Peanutbutter and Britpop. Wonderful.