Shadowbrook Part 40

"White." He would not lie to the old man, though he knew how much Bishkek hoped his manhood sons would choose squaws as wives and bring them to live in Singing Snow.

"She must be very brave if she eats this fierce beast."

"Or very hungry." Corm smoked, then looked over at the others who sat, and smoked and spoke of better things. He could hear the laughter. "The youngest son of my sister Las.h.i.+, I wish to send him on a journey."

Bishkek turned and looked for the boy called Pondise, Winter, because he had been bom in the moon of No Sun. "How long a journey? He has only just pa.s.sed to manhood."

"It is a far way," Corm admitted. "He will be gone for two moons, perhaps. But if he is clever, it won't be dangerous. I cannot do it myself because I must return to Quebec and see if I can learn more about the black robe."

"Pondise is very clever. And he often hunts alone, going a far distance, and always returns with a kill. But you must speak with his manhood father if you wish to send him away. I do not have authority over him any longer."

In the end it was decided; Pondise would go on the journey the bridge person wished him to take. Corm could see how excited the young man was at the prospect, even though he tried hard to look grown-up and impa.s.sive. "If you succeed in this thing it will be good for all the Anis.h.i.+nabeg," Corm promised. Pondise did not say anything, but he stood very tall.

The next day Corm took Pondise to the edge of the village and spent a long time telling him what he must do and how he was to do it. He drew maps indicating the location of New York City and how Pondise would get there. And they discussed how he would protect himself in that great city of the Cmokmanuk. Finally Corm wrote a note on a strip of bark and put it in a medicine bag he hung around the boy's neck. "Only to Kwashko," he cautioned. "You must give the message to no one else."

There were no clouds that day, but when the sun was as high as it got in this Leaf Falling Moon, Bishkek came to where Cormac and Pondise spoke, looking agitated. "Have you not finished yet? My bridge person son must leave. You told me you had to get to Quebec, to find out about the black robe. Why are you still here?"

"I thought tomorrow-" Corm began.

"Co! Not tomorrow, now. Go. I am your manhood father, do you openly disobey me?"

Corm had no idea why the old man was so agitated, but he knew that somehow his presence was the cause. "I will leave as soon as I have eaten, Father."

Bishkek looked up at the sun and nodded agreement.

The clouds rolled in while they ate the midday meal. Then came the squalling winds. The first snow fell just as Corm stood up to go. Bishkek saw two flakes catch in the eyelashes of his bridge person son as they said goodbye. He watched Corm walk away, and only when he could see him no longer did a tear escape and make its way down his seamed old cheek.

His dream had been very explicit: If here in this village the snow falls on the child of Pohantis, you will never again see him alive.

Chapter Twenty-Three.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1757.

NEW YORK CITY.

THE FRIGATES OF Loudoun's failed expedition to Louisbourg flanked either side of the entrance to the outer harbor. The vessels rode at anchor, every sale furled, nonetheless they took a considerable amount of wind. The two-masted schooner Catherine Rose had to trim canvas and tack repeatedly to navigate the channel. Devil it matters, the schooner's captain thought. The tide's behind me, the sun bright gold overhead, and the ocean's like a turquoise bauble in the belly of a honey-skinned wh.o.r.e. "'Tis a fine day to come home, I warrant, Mr. Hale," he called out.

His only paying pa.s.senger leaned on the forrard rail, eyes fastened on the oncoming sh.o.r.e. "A fine day indeed, Captain," Quent called back. "Mighty fine. And my thanks for an equally fine voyage."

A remarkable voyage. They had not once seen a French flag. G.o.d bless the Royal Navy; they had virtually blockaded the entire Atlantic. And what the navy might miss, those legal pirates, the American privateers, did not. Thanks to them, the Catherine Rose had sailed home without incident, and both the captain and his pa.s.senger brought back the cargo they'd gone after.

The schooner was laden with the finest goods London had to offer, and three men and five women who had given themselves into ten years' bondage to pay their pa.s.sage. The captain would sell them as indentured servants in New York for at least six times what it cost to bring them across the ocean. By long tradition the profit of that venture was his own. As for the hard goods, the silks and satins and fine furniture and kegs of port and malmsey, they would be offered at the Exchange. Four fifths of whatever return they made would be divided among the half dozen or so men who had formed the consortium that built his s.h.i.+p. Out of what remained he had to pay the crew and bear the cost of any necessary refit. Not to worry, he told himself again. He'd do well enough this time. What with the indentures and the extra thirty guineas the man they called the Red Bear had paid for pa.s.sage, well enough indeed.

Quent's cargo was of a different sort, but he was equally satisfied. "A fine day," he called out again though no one was paying him any attention.

The crew were busy in the rigging, reefing still more sail, slowing the s.h.i.+p's pa.s.sage through the narrows and into the inner harbor. Quent heard the call, "Helmsman! Two degrees starboard!" and felt the almost immediate response as the Catherine Rose picked up a northeasterly tack and headed for the southern tip of Manhattan. Half an hour later he stood on West Dock with the city spread out in front of him-it didn't look anywhere near as big or as important after nearly four months in London-waiting for his land legs to return, and trying to remember what direction he must take to get to the governor's mansion.

There was a crush on the dock, people coining and going. Still, compared to London, not much of a crowd. A man jostled his elbow and Quent moved aside. The man followed, tugging this time at the tails of Quent's fine green velvet coat. He'd bought it before he sailed for London and worn it ever since. Indeed, he'd become so accustomed to the close fit of satin breeches he almost didn't remember the feel of buckskin trousers.

"Mr. Hale? 'Scuse me, sir. This be for you."

Quent took the folded slip of paper. Please allow Pipps to escort you to my home. It is a matter of some urgency. The note was signed B. D. Quent's brow furrowed.

"Bede Devrey," the messenger offered helpfully. "Your uncle, sir." He was a small ferret of a white man, probably an indenture, and barely reaching to Quent's elbow. Two of his teeth were so elongated they looked like fangs.

"I take it you're Pipps?"

"I am, sir." The man looked around furtively. "It's best if we move on, sir. There's others might know you were on the Catherine Rose."

"Indeed. Does that matter?"

"I think it does, sir. Your uncle gave me to understand it did, sir."

"Very well, let's move on, then."

Pipps made a gesture toward Quent's bag, but Quent hefted the canvas satchel before the other man could touch it. They headed toward an alley on the right. Quent sensed Pipps' relief as they disappeared into its shadows.

"Thank you for coming, Nephew."

"Your note said a matter of some urgency. My mother-"

"My sister is well. She came to see me a fortnight past, and spent three days with us. It is John who has been ill."

Quent shrugged. No point in pretending concern for John's health. Everyone knew the bad blood between them.

"Your brother has lost the use of his left arm. He was ill of the wound for many weeks, but I'm told you have a clever herbalist at Shadowbrook who-"

"Sally Robin. As clever an herbalist as can be found."

"That, it appears, is true. And fortunate for John. He will live, though as I said, with only one arm that's any use to him."

"Thank you for informing me." But that's not why you plucked me off the dock like some special treasure, much less why my mother made one of her rare visits to her girlhood home. "May I ask how you knew I was on the Catherine Rose, Uncle? I didn't think her to be a Devrey s.h.i.+p."

Bede chuckled. "She's not, more's the pity. But once you were on the water you were in my world, Nephew. It's my business to know what's afloat and where it's headed." They spoke in his office, on the ground floor of the grand Wall Street house built by his father, the slaver Will Devrey. The walls were hung with drawings of Devrey s.h.i.+ps and the charts that tracked their pa.s.sage. The fleet had grown to twenty-three vessels, and since his father's death, Bede Devrey, the eldest son, owned the lot.

"Yes, of course. But in that case ... The governor is expecting me, sir. At least he is expecting that I will report straight to him the moment I return. If you knew I was to arrive, he must-"

"It will be a cold day in h.e.l.l, Nephew, when I don't know more than James De Lancey about what an Atlantic tide will wash up on these sh.o.r.es. Now, let me get you a gla.s.s of something. Nancy will wait dinner until our business is done." Apparently he still wasn't prepared to say what that business might be. "Your voyage was untroubled?"

"Entirely so. The Atlantic is ours."

"The s.h.i.+pping is safe enough these days. But here on land ... Brandy, do you? Not too early in the day?"

"Never too early for your fine brandy, Uncle. Thank you."

"Welcome indeed. Health, lad. And the family." Both men lifted the bulbous gla.s.ses into which Bede had poured a generous portion of the pale gold spirit. The heady scent was as pleasurable as the first taste. Quent had been offered nothing as good in all his time in London.

"Last of the French cognac in my cellar," Bede commented after the first smooth sip. "And sad to say, there's no hope of replenis.h.i.+ng it until this d.a.m.nable war's done. That arrogant Scot, Loudoun ... Can't see why London leaves him here. The b.u.g.g.e.r sailed off to take Louisbourg in June, already too late if you ask me, and came back three months later empty-handed, with his tail between his legs."

Quent kept his face impa.s.sive. Loudoun was to be recalled-the letter informing James De Lancey of that fact was in his bag-but Quent said nothing. Not until he knew if this summons had to do with his uncle wanting information rather than having any to share. "The news about Louisbourg reached London just before I left. A shame."

"Worse. A disgrace. Meanwhile ... I take it you heard as well about the ma.s.sacre at Fort William Henry?"

"I did."

"Well? What do you think of-"

"Papa," the door burst open. A young man stood there, tall and slim, with hair as red as Quent's, proof that both were descended from the woman known as Red Bess, their great-aunt. "Papa, Mama wants to know how long you'll be. So she knows about the dinner."

"I see. And she sent you, not one of your sisters, to inquire?"

"Actually, she sent Celeste, but-"

"I thought that more likely."

"But I told her I'd go."

"Indeed." Bede turned to his guest. "You're the attraction, you realize. My children are bursting to get a look at the legendary Uko Nyakwai. You remember Samuel?"

"Of course." Quent stood and offered his hand. The boy shook it fiercely. This one was a twin, Quent reminded himself, though he looked nothing like his brother. And there were two little girls. At least they had been little when he last saw them. Must be young ladies now. "How are you, Sam?"

"Well, thank you. Cousin Quentin, at dinner, will you tell us about the Indians? They say you know all the terrible things they do. And that you went to London to tell the government how we can make them pay for the ma.s.sacre up at Fort William Henry. You'll tell us all about it, won't you?"

"I left for London before that fort fell, Sam. And because the Indians are different from us doesn't make them wrong and us right."

The boy's eyes darkened. "But up at Lake George, they-"

"It's Bright Fish Water." Quent couldn't help himself. The thought that young men in New York City were learning to call a part of the Patent by a false name, along with all the other untruths they were raised on-that the tribes were heathen savages, never to be trusted, filthy-it grated on him. "That lake's on Hale land. It's always been called by the old Mahican name, Bright Fish Water."

"All the same, what I mean is that-"

"Go away, Samuel." Something had obviously changed Bede's mood from indulgent father to head of the house. "Tell your mother I will inform her about dinner as soon as I can."

"But Papa, I only want to know if-"

"Go!"

The boy left, shutting the door behind him. Bede apologized for the interruption. "I'm not bothered," Quent said. "Growing up in a big city like this, he must be curious about the rest of the province. Particularly knowing that the Patent is in the family. Maybe he-"

"It's not."

"I'm sorry, Uncle Bede. I've lost the drift. What's not?"

"Shadowbrook, it's no longer in the family. That's what your mother came to talk to me about, and why I had to see you before the b.l.o.o.d.y governor did. Your brother has p.i.s.sed everything away. The De Lanceys' have gotten control of the Hale Patent."

"Are you a card-playing man, nephew?"

Quent shook his head. He'd eaten little of the excellent dinner Aunt Nancy's cook produced, and heard nothing of the children's chatter, though he was fairly sure he'd managed to answer their countless questions-as he answered this one, without much distraction from his own bitter thoughts. "No, Uncle, I am not a card-playing man."

"Pity. Bluffing is a skill you'll be needing, Quentin. You've a few cards to play, but you must not show them too soon."

That had been one of Bishkkek's manhood lessons: ... Your enemy must never see in your eyes the direction from which you plan to attack. "I don't play at cards, but I can bluff well enough, Uncle."

Bede studied him for a few seconds, then nodded. "Yes. I expect you can."

It was nearly five o'clock, most folks were indoors digesting their dinners and the streets were as empty as the streets of New York City ever were. Quent could hear the ring of his boots on the cobbles of the Broad Way. He was conscious of Pipps behind him. "He'll follow on," Bede had explained. "When you need me, go to James De Lancey's window and signal. Pipps will come and let me know." The servant did a fair job of following; not as good as even a very young brave, but fair. According to Bede, it was a skill the little man had learned in London where picking pockets had been his trade. "Very useful, is Pipps. There's three years left on his indenture, but I've been paying him a wage this past twelvemonth. Keeping him happy so he'll want to stay. And leave my purse in my pocket meanwhile."

The early dark of oncoming winter was settling when Quent reached the governor's mansion at the foot of the broad, tree-lined avenue. He walked up to the imposing front door and lifted the large bra.s.s knocker.

James De Lancey considered the papers spread on his desk. The majority bore official seals, a few-the most important-were headed with William Pitt's personal crest and signed by his own hand. He considered as well the man who had brought him this welcome news, dad in a velvet coat and satin breeches. The outside matched the inside for once. "Excellent, Mr. Hale. You have brought me excellent news."

Quent nodded. "Your servant, Governor."

De Lancey stood up. "Well then, if there's nothing else ..."

"Sit down."

"I beg your pardon."

"I said sit down, Governor. Our business is not yet finished."

"London's taught you impudence, Mr. Hale. I suggest you not take that tone in my-"

"If remaining as governor is what you wish, then I suggest you stop talking, take your seat, and pay attention."

De Lancey's face reddened. "How dare you-"

"Don't talk, Governor. Just listen. I want the leases, both sets. The ones signed by my brother and yours as well as Levy and Alexander, and the ones making the Patent over to Hamish Stewart."

The governor had regained his composure. "I rather thought that was what this was about. I regret I cannot comply, Mr. Hale. Those are legal doc.u.ments left with me for safekeeping. They belong to others, not to you."

"We had an agreement, you and I. Made in this very room-" Steady, Quent warned himself, steady. He heard Bishkek's voice in his head: In battle the fire-heat of anger is suitable for braves. For the chief there must be the snow-cold of wisdom.

"We had a discussion," De Lancey said. "No promises were asked or given, and no oaths taken. Besides, I did not make any of these arrangements. I was simply a witness."