True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery by Lisa Grace Page A

every sailor needs a yarn, even one in the King’s employ.” He clapped his hand on the back of Randall’s shoulder shaking it.
    ***
    Mary waited. But Bennett didn’t come. Shortly before night fall, she heard the strange calls of the men over the sides of the ship, followed by a scraping noise along the deck, then clinking and clanging. Curiosity got the better of her so she headed to the deck to see what was going on. She saw Charles coming up the backside stairs and motioned to him. “Charles, what is going on?”
    “Look miss.” He pointed over the rail to a ship lurched sideways on the rocks. A flat bottomed collier, listing badly. She could see men and skiffs, all the skiffs, docked or out at sea heading slowly loaded with bags and chests, toward the Devonshire or empty ones on their way to the injured craft.
    Charles’ eyes were sparkling, “Treasure, miss, the ship was full of treasure! Men had mutinied and killed the captain and half the crew to take it, then pirates caught them when they washed upon the breakers. Captain Graham took care of all the pirates, may God have mercy on their souls, and now we're securing the treasure! Come see!”
    He pushed off from the rail and motioned for her to follow him down the back stairs to the cargo hold. He went down the stairs two levels. One sailor stopping him, “Get back you ragamuffin.”
    “I’m just showin’ the miss. She needs to see the treasure so she can sketch it. Would you like me to get the captain?”
    The sailor scowled and moved aside to let them pass. Charles winked at Mary. Down in the hold, Charles motioned for Mary to follow him into the room, “Look, miss!” Charles lifted the lid on an exposed trunk. He ran his fingers through the gold doubloons it contained. “It’s full of them! And there are bags of more, and silver, and fine pieces of lady things—like pins and brooches.”
    Mary took it all in. She knew the pirate stories. But they had always been just—stories. She turned to Charles. “This all belongs to the King of Spain.”
    “Not anymore, miss.” Charles laughed, “Now it belongs to King George!”
    “What will Captain Graham do with all this treasure? Surely we cannot continue to survey with all this gold on the ship.”
    “Don’t worry, miss. The Captain will have a plan. We will know soon enough what will happen.”
    “Charles, will you escort me back to the deck, please?”
    “Yes miss, let’s watch them unload the next boat.”
    “Take me to my cabin to get my supplies. I would like to speak to the captain, but I may as well work until he is available.”
    “He’s busy all right. I am sure he will be coming on the deck to see the transfers.”
    After they retrieved Mary’s supplies, she set up to sketch the skiffs as they unloaded the treasure on the deck. Mary said, “Charles, did you watch the—events this morning?”
    “You mean the pirates walk the plank?”
    Mary hesitated, then nodded.
    “Yes. We all did, miss. When a man dies for his crimes, we all stand witness. A sailor has his duties. I hope to not see anymore.”
    “May I ask a frank question? You do not have to answer.”
    Charles nodded.
    “What do you really think of Captain Graham, not what the officers tell you you must say, but what you feel in your heart.”
    Charles looked as one of the men carrying a smaller bag , which was heavier than a barrel of whiskey, stumbled as the bag he was carrying hit the rail on his way to the stairs. The man cussed.
    “Miss, I was beat as an indentured boy to a fish merchant. I’ve never had a mum or da I knew. When I ran away and signed on the Devonshire, I found a home. I have a duty now that serves my king. The captain is everything . He took me on. He keeps us all. There is hard work on a ship for all hands, yes, but with purpose . Those are his words. He’s a man of honor.” Charles paused trying to find the right words, “I’ll die for him, miss. Every man on the Devonshire would. He’s the