Read Online Antebellum BK 1 by Jeffry S.Hepple - Free Book Online Page A

across the table. “How would you like to be the first captain to bring a steamship to California?”
    “ What’s it pay?” Marshall asked.
    “ One hundred dollars,” Robert replied.
    “ Five hundred,” Marshall countered. “I know about Forbes bein’ took sick and I know his crew’s near mutiny.”
    “ I think you may be understating the crew’s morale,” Robert argued. “And a hundred dollars is very generous for such a short run.”
    “ Four hundred,” Marina said when Robert took a breath. “Upon arrival in San Francisco.”
    “ A hundred now to seal the bargain,” Marshall replied.
    Marina plopped the five twenty-dollar gold pieces on the table that she’d been holding in her hand.
    “ Done.” Marshall finished his drink with one swallow and scooped up the coins. “We best be goin’ now. Word of the big discovery ain’t reached the public here yet. When it does, they’ll be in a rush to get passage on anything that floats.”

January 17, 1849
    Pacific Panama

    J ack and Robert, both wearing sabers and pistols, raced into the wheelhouse. “What’s wrong?” Jack asked.
    Forbes, who was gaunt and pale, pointed ahead to where as many as a thousand angry people were crowding the docks.
    “ Who are they?” Robert asked.
    “ Gold rushers,” Marshall replied. “When they see that we took on Peruvian passengers at Callao they’re gonna get real ugly.”
    “ Is there anywhere else where we can obtain fuel?” Jack asked.
    “ No,” Forbes said. “There’re no forests to cut wood and no coal storage within range. We have to stop here.”
    “ Longboat comin’, starboard,” a lookout called.
    “ Very well,” Marshall said. “All slow, steady as she goes.”
    “ That must be the Ship’s Agent.” Forbes gestured toward the boat.
    “ Nay,” Marshall replied. “’Tis the Pacific Mail Agent. His name is Bartolome Quinton. And a more annoying little man has never been born. But, his authority here is near absolute.” He waited until the boat was near. “All stop. Drop anchor. Bring the visitors aboard.”
    ~
    “ You all should probably hear this.” Jack again unfolded the letter that he’d just read to himself, looked around the wheelhouse at the others and then began to read aloud. “ To Colonel John Van Buskirk from Persefor F. Smith, Brevet Major-General U.S.A. ‘ Sir: The laws of the United States inflict the penalty of fine and imprisonment on trespassers on the public lands. As nothing can be more unreasonable or unjust, than the conduct pursued by persons not citizens of the United States, who are flocking from all parts to search for and carry off gold belonging to the United States in California; and as such conduct is in direct violation of law, it will become your duty, immediately on your arrival there, to put penalties prescribed by law, on those who offend.
    ‘ As these laws probably are not known to many who are about starting to California, it would be well to make it publicly known that there are such laws in existence, and that they will be in future enforced against all persons not citizens of the United States in California.’ It’s signed, Persefor F. Smith, Brevet Major-General U.S.A., Commanding Pacific Division.” He looked around at the others. “Questions? Comments?”
    Quinton, the Pacific Mail Agent, raised his hand. “That is all very well and good, but it does nothing to solve the immediate problem of all those people on the docks who are demanding passage on this vessel.”
    “ There are obviously more people on the dock than this vessel can accommodate,” Captain Forbes replied in a weary voice. “What would you suggest?”
    “ You must put off all those that you took aboard in Peru,” Quinton replied.
    “ Those people were put aboard by your counterpart in Callao,” Forbes said angrily. “Against my will, I might add.”
    “ He is not my counterpart; he is an agent for the company that owns this ship, and it was a mistake.” Quinton