Page 114 of Master of Paradise
"No," Amanda said sadly. "Billie, we want toget away to England, can you help us?"
The old woman nodded her head rapidly whileshe thought. "All the captains come in here to drink. We'll arrangesomething. There's still a few left who run the blockade."
"I have the diamonds Nicholas gave me,"Amanda said hopefully.
Billie's head bobbed more rapidly at thispiece of information. "You all rest and I'll send for some soup.We've always got soup on the stove at Billie's."
"Thank you Aunt Billie. I have no one else toturn to."
The old woman stretched out her pudgy,ring-filled hand to Amanda's knee, and chucked Nicholas under thechin.
Jennifer spoke up in a frightened voice. "Wewant to go today, Aunt Billie."
A few more rapid nods before she left theroom assured the girls that she would do whatever she could. Amandacarefully unstitched the diamonds from inside her drawers and hidthem under the cushion of the chair. They each had a bowl of soup,and Nicholas drank two. Then they patiently sat and waited outtheir vigil.
At about three o'clock in the afternoon,Billie returned to the sitting room. "There's a seaman in the barwho says he can arrange a passage for you. Come on and bring thenecklace."
Amanda thrust it into the pocket of her smockand followed Aunt Billie.
The man was of middle age with a barrel chestand a thick beard.
Billie said, "This is Pierre."
Amanda peered at him closely.Does Billieexpect me to trust this man?She found her voice. "Can you getus through the blockade and take us to England?"
"You have diamonds?" he asked, holding outhis hand.
Amanda showed him the necklace and he readilyagreed. "We leave on the midnight tide, but it's a long carriageride to where the ship's hid. Be in the bar at ten o'clock." Hegrabbed the necklace and slipped it into his breast pocket.
"No! Leave the diamonds with me. How do Iknow you will be back for us?"
"This old bitch would have me tracked downand my throat slit if I double-crossed her. Don't worry, someonewill be here for you."
She looked to Aunt Billie who nodded asusual. Amanda realized she hadn't much choice, for clearly the manhad no intention of handing the necklace back to her.
The next six hours were the slowest Amandahad ever endured. It felt as if she counted each tick of the clock.By nine o'clock the little trio sat ready in the bar so there wouldbe no chance of being missed, if by some remote chance the manreturned for them.
At nine-thirty a bearded man entered thebarroom, and Amanda examined him closely. "Rafe!" she burst out."Oh Rafe Collins, I've never been so happy to see anyone in mywhole life!"
"Mandy, Jenny, whatever are you doing here inthis place?"
"We're waiting for a passage to England. Igave a man the diamond necklace Nicholas gave me in exchange forour passage tonight, but I'm afraid we'll never see him again."
"Sweetheart, it's all right. I'll takeyou."
Tears of relief flooded Amanda's eyes and shefelt her knees sag beneath her own weight.
"Providence must have sent me here tonight.We'll catch the midnight tide." Rafe finished his drink and hoistedNicholas to his shoulder. Jenny and Amanda had a hard time keepingup with Rafe's long strides as he walked down Calhoun Street to thewaterfront. He helped them down some water-steps and into a smallsailboat. The cold wind ruffled their hair and Amanda bent her bodyclose to her child's to shield him as much as she could. The sailsfilled and Rafe tacked quickly into the wind.
The night was dark and Amanda saw only astrip of shoreline and tall water reeds, then they were out of thesea and into a river, but where they were she had no idea. Thelittle boat seemed to run with the tide, then suddenly the darkhull of the Hornet rose up beside them and many hands helped themaboard. There were no lights on deck and they had to feel their wayalong, guided surely and safely by Rafe. The port holes wereblacked out for safety, but he allowed them one small candle in thecabin he assigned them.
"I'm sorry we can't light any lamps, but theUnion patrol boats are everywhere. This cabin only has two bunks,so you'll have to share with the little one, honey. If you heargunfire, don't be too alarmed. Just don't shout or cry out and I'mpretty sure we'll get through. Go straight to bed and we'll talk inthe morning. Goodnight Jenny; goodnight, Mandy love."
"Goodnight," she whispered, "I don't know howto thank you."
It was three weary heads that lay in theirbunks aboard the Hornet. Amanda listened for her son's deepbreathing that told her he was safely asleep, then she relaxed anddrifted to the edge of sleep herself. The last thing she heard wasJennifer's voice. "I believe Rafe Collins is a rich man!"
When morning arrived and Amanda opened theportholes, she realized just how richly appointed the Hornet was.The cabin was lined with red, polished mahogany and the fittingswere gleaming brass. An Oriental carpet fitted wall to wall, andthere was a built-in wardrobe boasting a full-length mirror on itsdoor. There was a dressing table and cozy arm chairs bolted againstthe wall and piled with luxurious cushions.
