The Two Confessions John Whitbourn (best books for students to read txt) 📖

had killed. Afterwards, he took abreak to scrub his fingers raw.

Theywere all en route to the Port of London and a new life ploughing the Mediterranean;the 'lucky' pick of those spared. London Wall and a change of captors was justa respite on their long road down. They squatted on their heels or lay flat outas the formalities were performed, reflecting silently on utter defeat.

Allthe names and ages and professions had to be recorded; the more disablingwounds seen to. Likewise, even heretics and galley-fodder required a certainbasic feeding and watering and voiding. Some wanted to recant and be shriven,so statements needed to be noted and a priest fetched. Meanwhile, one upped anddied on them. He got 'conditional absolution' and then the communal pit.

Therewere, in short, all manner of things to do. Samuel saw to the lot of them. Hesaw to everything.

Firstand foremost he saw that the skilled craftsmen were put to one side. Heinterrogated them - and none too gently either, with cuffs and cudgel taps. Itstruck him as important - even as he struck them - that they should start as hemeant to go on. He found three adaptable to his needs and set them discreetlyby.

They,like the others, were in a state of shock, unreconciled to survival of battleand the rout which followed. There was a certain base level of gladness at justbeing alive, and growing realisation that there might be more days for them.However, selection for galley service wasn't something you could celebrate forlong. When rational thought returned notions of a quick death might grow inappeal. Fortunately, Trevan had caught them at just the right moment, dictatingterms in a seller's market. Any argument or pleading being answered by amusket-butt, negotiations went very smoothly.

Samuelspent a guinea he couldn't afford arranging a colleague's blind eye at theright moment. Devotion to duty suddenly forgotten, he then left early with hiscatch.

Rentingthe workshop in the most sordid part of Whitechapel (which was sayingsomething), and buying just the bare minimum of tools and raw materials, hadtaken everything Samuel could scrape together or borrow. Father Omar's investedgift was used as security for loans. The rates of interest arranged weremonstrous, leaving little margin in which to sink or swim. He had nothingspare, not even enough to buy tomorrow's breakfast, but didn't mind in theleast. Tomorrow would have to sort itself out: Samuel Trevan was arranging thelonger term.

Heshoved the former - and future - musket-makers into their new home.

‘Thisis where you'll work,’ he told them.

Theylooked at the Spartan benches - and the leg-irons and coils of chain attached.

‘Hard,’Trevan added. Needlessly.

U[U[U[U[U[U[U

cHAPTER 10

To: Samuel Trevan Esq. Proprietor.

C/O St Philip Howard Firearms and Munitions Manufactory.

Whitechapel.

The eastern part of London.

In the County of Middlesex.

 

From: Mr Melville Farncombe. Surgeon and medical practitioner.

Galen House.

Keere Street.

Lewes.

In the County of Sussex.

Dispatched this Wednesday, the 23rd day of March, the year of our Lord1994.

 

My dearest Samuel.

Your recent sojourn in Lewes and attendance on my family was, as always,most welcome. My lady wife directs that I convey her effusive thanks for thebolt of Cathay silk and Kernow rose plants. Both will add to the adornment ofthe Farncombe household very shortly I am sure.

I also write to communicate the intelligence that, two weeks hence (Deovolente), Mrs Farncombe and I will celebrate the 25th anniversary of ournuptial day. Accordingly, mindful of G*d's blessings, we intend to mark theoccasion with a Mass at St Pancras Priory Church, followed by a small socialgathering 'at home' for family and close friends. It would add to the pleasureof our day if you should find time to be present.

In fact, I shall speak plain. We have, I feel, danced long enough arounda certain matter which is, I am now satisfied, the closest to yourheart. What, therefore, could be a more timely and auspicious moment than acommemoration of the sacrament of marriage to resolve said matter?

It is, of course, for you to speak first, but you may entertain a degreeof confidence in obtaining a sympathetic hearing from me.

My daughter Melissa is at Lyme visiting her maternal aunt and taking theseawater cure. Were she here I have not the slightest doubt she would send youher warm regards. As do I.

I have the honour to remain, young man, your good friend:

 

Melville Farncombe

Surgeon of the Ancient andProficient College of St Luke, Winchester.

************

‘So,Samuel, what is it that is so special about these... rifles?’

MrFarncombe didn't really want to know that: he was actually enquiring whereTrevan's wealth came from. That was just his nature - and also fair enough. Theman was thinking of investing his only daughter, so any contract had first tobe exhaustively quizzed. The fruits of Samuel's wealth: the clothes, theconfidence, were only too evident; but, it being such a suspiciously swiftgrown thing, the roots needed a little probing.

‘Theanswer is, sir, that they cost more!’

Incompany, Samuel was careful to speak slowly. His elocution tutor said a modicumof care should soon mop up the stubborn churl tones and earthier bits ofvocabulary. This caution with words gave him an air of profundity, and marriedto the ever sparkling innate force, it was a great success - just like Samuelhimself. People listened to him. Even Lewes people listened to him. They hadn'tbeen there to witness Samuel scouring the ruins of Reading for salvageablegun-stuff; him going hungry whilst hiring and terrifying Whitechapel's lowestof the low - the poorest Hebrews, stateless Moriscos, and Croats fresh off theboat. They hadn't seen him scrabble around sinking his teeth into those first,elusive, £s, just to keep things going and buy himself out of the Watch.

‘And,’he added humbly, ‘so long as people will pay more for quality, then both sidesprosper and I'm content.’

Thelittle group around him nodded and smiled at so much wisdom atop such youngshoulders. Business and tradesmen of the higher sort, they well appreciated thejoy of pricing high to an avid market.

‘Theexplanation,’ Samuel continued, when the approbation ceased, ‘is thatthey shoot better. One doesn't pretend to understand it though. I dare say mynewest apprentice knows more than me - leastways he'd better if he wants tokeep his position! No, gentlemen, I merely sell the finished item. One