Mates
By:
Will B
(© 2009 by the author)
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's
consent. Comments are appreciated at...
George, Ed, and Henry, bind themselves as indentured servants to go to Maryland and work for a certain Christopher Godwin for a term of five years. Miles has paid for their passage to Md. on a ship.
Chapter 13
The morning of February 3, 1649, was bright and sunny. Miles escorted the three indentured servants to the Thames, where a ship, named the "Henrietta," was docked. The crew was busy loading crates for the voyage to sea.
The "Henrietta" was 125 feet long, and 32' in the beam, with a draft of 15'. She weighed 358 tons. She was a three-masted vessel. The first two masts were square-rigged, and the third mast carried a lateen sail. A jib ran from the foremast to the bowsprit. The pennant on the main mast flew more than 100 feet above the waterline. She was a grand vessel.
"Ahoy, the ship," Miles called.
A strong, burly man in his mid-fifties, with curly black hair looked over the side of the ship, "Is that you Sergeant Thomas and the three passengers you're bringing for our journey? Come on board," the Captain said.
The four went up the gangplank and met the Captain. "Captain Richard Martin at your service, good sirs."
George introduced himself and then Ed and Henry.
"Here's the rest of the passage money I promised you," Miles said as he handed the Captain a pouch of gold pieces.
George asked, "Miles, my friend, why are you paying for our passage instead of ,,,?"
Miles interrupted him, "George, Cousin Godwin wanted me to be sure that his servants would have as comfortable a voyage to Maryland as possible Have no fear, my cousin will reimburse me."
He went on, "My good wife has baked some meat pies to help assuage your appetites," he told the three travellers, and then he suddenly fell silent for a minute before he went on.
"I… I…, wish you all Godspeed. Take care of yourselves," he managed to get out. Turning to George, Miles clapped him on the back and gave him a 'one-armed hug.'
Then turning to Ed and Henry, he gave them each a full hug, and blessed them, and wished them a good voyage and a good fortune in Maryland. Miles turned and walked down the gangplank. He didn't turn to look back, but from the rigid set of his shoulders, his three former prisoners, and now friends, guessed that he was holding his emotions in check.
"Well, gentlemen, let me show you to your quarters." So saying, Captain Martin led them down a narrow companionway to a gangway toward the bow of the vessel.
"Miles Thomas wanted you to travel in some comfort," the Captain said. "This cabin will be yours, Master Robinson." Martin opened the door and George saw that he had a room with a hammock, a chair, some shelves on the wall, and hooks on the wall. A small porthole gave a view of the Thames.
The Captain then took Ed and Henry to the next cabin, a little closer to the bow of the ship.
"This will be your cabin, young masters," Martin said with a grin. Ed and Henry saw a cabin with two hammocks, two chairs, some shelves and a small porthole that gave a view of the Thames.
"Now, lads, I must warn you that the deck beneath you is ye fo'csle, the crew's quarters. I don't think they'll disturb you too much. When their duties are over they just want to get some sleep."
"A couple of rules - for your safety," Martin added. "You may come on deck whenever you like, but if the weather turns foul, I'll ask you to stay below, so as to be out of the crew's way while they trim the sails to run out the storm. Uhhh…, oh yes, the 'head' is at the end of the gangway, right at the bow. Be careful, it's just a small room with the 'seats of ease' built out over the water. Any business you do will go right to Davy Jones' locker. And…, oh yes, I invite you to take your dinner with me at mid-day. Now, any questions?"
"I think you're treating us very well, Captain," said George. "Thank you."
"Oh, yes," said both boys.
It didn't take the three passengers long to get settled - they had very few personal possessions. They went up on deck to watch as the crew prepared to cast off. Slowly the ship eased away from the pier and carrying only sail and headed out for the center of the Thames, bound on its voyage for Maryland.
When the ship was under way, Captain Martin introduced First Mate John Rogers, a young man in his 30s, with sandy hair, blue eyes, and a pleasant expression. "Mr. Rogers, will you pipe the crew on deck, please?" Captain Martin asked.
"Certainly, Captain," and Mr. Rogers blew a loud blast on a whistle. All the crew gathered on deck and lined up in straight lines, ready to hear what the Captain had to say.
"Men, we are bound for another voyage to Maryland, but this time we are carrying passengers. I'd like you to meet Mr. George Robinson …. (George smiled and a slightly bowed)…, Master Edward Robinson …(Ed waved)… and Master Henry Thompson .. (Henry also waved his hand)."
Captain Martin went on, "I have given our passengers permission to be on deck except when there is foul weather. I am sure they may have questions about the ship since they are, after all….landlubbers!"
The crew chuckled at the Captain's comment, and the three passengers chuckled louder than anybody.
"Finally, this is our tenth voyage to Maryland. Most of you have been with the ship for all of the nine previous voyages. You have served the ship well, and I know this voyage will be no different. Now, it is almost dinner time, so…, to celebrate our tenth voyage, and to welcome our passengers, I have decided to…. (Captain Martin paused)….I have decided to….allow each of you an extra ration of grog at dinner!"
There was no chuckling now, but a loud cheer. One of the crew called out… "Three cheers for the Captain …"
"Hip, hip, hurray," answered the crew.
Someone else called, "And three cheers for our passengers…" Again the 'Hip, hip hurrahs' echoed over the water.
Dinner in the Captain's cabin was a pleasant affair. Mr. Rogers, George, Edward, and Henry, and the Captain enjoyed a simple but filling meal of roast beef ('Ah, the Roast Beef of England!'), baked potatoes, some fruit, and a glass of ale.
"What cargo do you carry, Captain?" George asked.
"Mostly iron items such as locks, hinges, axes, hammers, ingots of iron; things the colonists cannot easily make for themselves. I've carried cargo for Christopher Godwin, your master, before, and I've gotten to know him somewhat. He is a blacksmith and can fashion many tools for the colonists, but some things are best made in England,…at least for now," Captain Martin said.
John Rogers added, "We are carrying beer, wine, water, salt beef, pork, fish and firewood for use during the voyage. For the colony we are carrying sawn timber, materials to build a barge, tools, and six large cannon for a fort.
The Captain continued, "Godwin also keeps an inn or tavern, and travelers coming to the town to attend the county court will put up at his inn. He keeps a good house, and travelers like to stay there because they will find clean beds, good food, and good accommodation for their horses."
"I think we will like working for him," said George. "Do you two think you will like looking after horses, and perhaps helping in the dining room?" he asked the boys.
"Sure, Cousin George," Ed replied.
After dinner the three went up on deck, and soon were having a conversation with some of the crewmembers. They especially enjoyed talking with Samuel Smith, a tall muscular man who had black curly hair, black hair showing at the throat of his shirt, and covering his arms and the lower part of his legs. He and another sailor, Peter Wheat, were happy to answer any questions that Henry or Ed might have. Peter was short and wiry and wore his hair close cropped to his skull. Because of his short stature the other crewmembers called him 'Wee Pete,' but it was all in fun.
By the next day, Ed and Henry were comfortable, climbing the rigging, going up and down the shrouds, and moving about the companionways.
Up and down.
Up and down.
Up and down…on the third day, the "Henrietta" was sailing out of the English Channel into the North Atlantic.
Up and down.
Up and down.
Aaaaggghhh! Ooooohhhh! Uuuuuck" Aaaagggh!
These were not moans of pleasure, lust or passion.
These were groans arising from severe attacks of seasickness. Ed and Henry lay in their hammocks, tossing and turning. George sat on a chair between the hammocks with the slop bucket at the ready in case either of the boys had anything else in their stomachs they wanted to bring up.
At one point, Ed asked, "Are we going to die?"
"No," George said.
"Damn!" said Ed. "I was almost wishing I would die."
After the third day, the mal-de-mar seemed to abate, and the boys just lay in their hammocks, thinking that maybe…. maybe tomorrow they could manage a little something.
On the fourth day when George had gone to his own cabin to get some sleep, Henry looked over at Ed and asked, "You all right, my sweet?"
"Yeah, I guess maybe I am," came the response.
Henry reached over and took Ed's hand and squeezed it.
That evening George brought them each a tray with some bread and a small dish of beef gravy. Ed took a bite of the bread. Then he took another bite…and said, "Henry, this is good, try some."
Henry took some, and he also found it delicious, and in no time at all, both seventeen-year-olds had finished the bread and gravy.
"Thanks, Cousin George. That was great! Uh….. got any more?"
"I think in the morning you two can get up and have something a little more substantial. Now, why don't you two try to get some rest?" George asked. He smiled at them took the trays and shut the door.
There was just enough light coming in through the porthole for Ed and Henry to see each other.
"Ssshhh! Do you hear anything, Henry?" asked Edward.
"I do. I think it's coming from the crew's quarters below…Oh, look there are two knotholes in the floorboard just under your hammock. Let's see what we can see," whispered Henry.
The two lads stretched out on the floor and looked through their knotholes.
The area below was lit by a single lantern suspended from the roof by a sturdy length of chain, The motion of the ship caused the lantern to swing to and fro, casting moving shadows over the cabin and its inhabitants, all of whom were buck naked, and in various states of sexual arousal. This was no dormitory for sleepy sailors; it was a bordello for a group of horny men who were enjoying themselves with each other.
Ed and Hank saw two men who were…, and two other men who were….and there a group of four that was ….. Ed and Henry watched as tongues, hands, cocks, and balls were put in a variety of positions.
After a few minutes of observing they heard one of the crew members ask, "All right, men. Who is going to be our cunt boy for this evening? Do we have the straws ready for drawing? Gather round, and let's see who draws the short straw, and remember, each of you will give the 'lucky' or 'unlucky' swab a penny for his services."
Ed and Henry watched and listened. Ed put his arms around Henry and drew him back to him so that his cock was pressing against the cleft between Henry's cheeks.
Down below, the men drew straws, and the one who picked the short straw was the tall sailor Ed and Henry had enjoyed talking to, Samuel. In the shifting light cast by the one lantern, his naked body covered with black hair gave him the appearance of a superman, or rather a super stud. His cock was thick and a good eight and a half inches long and it was covered with drops of a glistening pearl-like substance.
"All right, me boys, put your pricks where you will, but remember I want your penny first!" Samuel said with a grin and a twitch of his narrow hips. With that, he bent over a table that had a bowl on it. Each crewmember who was going to sample the delights of Samuel's body was to deposit his payment in the bowl. Then he could deposit his hot creamy spunk wherever he wanted on Samuel's body.
On the deck above, Ed was pulling Henry closer and closer to him. Ed's purple helmeted shaft was knocking at Henry's Gate of Pleasure.
On the floor below, Samuel was 'entertaining' each of his guests to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. Wee Pete went up to Samuel and whispered, "Two pennies if you take me in your mouth before I put my sausage between your buns."
"Deal!" said Samuel and he bent his head to sniff at, then flick with his tongue, then lightly lick the head and finally engulf all of Wee Pete's not so wee willie. Wee Pete moaned with pleasure and our lads were moaning with their own pleasure. Ed's … ramrod stiff….veiny…engorged…thick…shaft pushed against Henry's ring harder…harder… still harder…. And HARDER…and then it was through!
As Pete now pounded his organ into Samuel's bucking body, so did Ed's glide in and out of Henry. In and out… in and out…both studs were lost in rapture as they pounded their pussy boys.
"Aaaaahhhhh." Aaaaiyyyeeee!" "Aaaaaghhhhh!" :Aaaaagggghhh!" Simultaneously the four men shot their stuff, long, repeated shots of stuff propelled out of engines of euphoric ecstasy. Two cannons shot their ammunition into the waiting orifices; the other two discharged their loads into the air.
The four orgasms were the signal for the rest of the crew members to go wild with lust. Hands groped, cocks poked, mouths gaped, and ass cheeks were spread.
At last, silence, as one by one the sated fuckers and suckers fell asleep in their hammocks, on the floor, on top of each other's bodies, or still inserted in whatever opening would receive their spent passions.
Ed and Henry fell asleep in each other's arms, smiles on their faces.
The next morning Ed and Henry arose to find most of the crew on deck, hauling up buckets of seawater, which they used to dowse each other. Samuel and Pete took one look at the encrusted faces and bodies of Ed and Henry, and each emptied a bucket of water over the lads' heads.
"Aye, lads, best ye make yourselves presentable before breakfast at Captain's table," Samuel said.
"You two are especially close, aren't you?" asked Pete with a smile.
"Uh, well, yes, we are!" said Henry, thus publicly proclaiming for the first time that he and Ed belonged to each other!
"We surely are," agreed Ed.
"Ouch! I thought so," said Samuel. "Well good luck to the both of you."
"Thanks, Samuel" said Ed.
This latter action on the lower deck did not pass unnoticed by Captain Martin and George Robinson who had come out on the quarterdeck to summon Edward and Henry to breakfast.
There was some constraint at breakfast. Ed and Henry sat happily looking at each other. George was not quite so happy. He didn't know what to say to his cousin and to Henry. He had suspected the two had a relationship, but now they had publicly stated it. John Rogers sat quietly knowing something was not quite right and wondering how the captain would ease the situation,
Captain Martin had also sensed the tension, and now he was going to do something about it. "Pour yourselves another mug of ale, men - you also, Masters Edward and Henry. I'll tell you something about this crew of mine. First of all, they are good men and good sailors. They are loyal to me, loyal to the ship and loyal to each other."
George listened intently, and Ed and Henry were paying close attention as well.
"I know (but I don't know officially) how these men behave in their own quarters, but when it's time to turn to, they are on deck, ready, willing and able to do a days' work. Because of the below deck activities, they are fiercely loyal to each other."
Martin went on, "One time Pete fell overboard and was about to drown because, like many sailors, he didn't know how to swim. Someone in the crow's nest shouted 'Shark! Shark's fin off the port bow!' Samuel didn't hesitate a minute. He dove into the water, swam to Pete and brought him to the side of the ship. The crew lowered a rope to pull them up. As Samuel started to climb up the rope to the deck, the shark leapt out of the water as if to take Samuel back to an awful death-but he missed! His jaws closed on…. nothing!"
Ed and Henry each knew that if the other had fallen into water he would have jumped in to save his life, no matter what the risk! They didn't say anything but Henry squeezed Ed's hand tightly.
"Now I know what some people would say about what goes on below decks, but whatever it is, these men care for, and I will say, they love each other, and the Good Book says that 'Greater Love hath no Man…' So, if my crew members engage in activities that some might condemn them for, I for one, will not say a word except to defend them and praise their loyalty and devotion."
George's face cleared, and he said, "I have to agree with you, Captain," and he turned and clasped the boys on their shoulders.
* * * * *
When Edward, George, and Henry left the cabin, John Rogers looked at his captain and smiled and said, "You explained that beautifully, my dear Richard." With that he kissed the captain full on the mouth.
"Thank you, John. This evening I would like you to come to my cabin to go over my log."
"Of course, Richard," John said with a smile, "And perhaps you could help me with a cavity that needs filling. It certainly aches enough."
* * * * *
The voyage was in its seventh week. The passage had been uneventful. Ed and Henry enjoyed each other's company, loving each other more and more deeply. The crew had its nightly frolics in the fo'csle. Richard and John took care of each other's needs. Richard's log got plenty of attention, as did John's cavity.
Poor George was alone in his cabin. He had no desire to join in the activities in the fo'csle, but what was he to do? When he was in his chambers in London, he could visit one of the local bawdy houses and find relief with one or two of the comely wenches there. He enjoyed their company and they were only too happy to show him a good time.
But here! On the ship! Night after night he would go to his cabin, fully intending to go to sleep, but as he pulled his shirt off over his head, his hands would brush against his nipples. He would step out of his shoes, and then slowly lower his leggings down over his hips, slowly, enjoying the sensation of the fabric rubbing against his lower body, against his pubic bush, and then against his manly cock, which would rapidly spring to attention.
Here he had to make do with ….well, how shall I put it? Well, to put it bluntly, he had to entertain Mistress Thumb and her four agile sisters.
* * * * *
The "Henrietta" had sailed in a southerly direction, moved by the trade winds and prevailing southwesterly currents until it reached the Caribbean. It was about to turn north and sail up the coast of America. It was a sultry hot day and the crew went about their duties wearing as little 'as the law allowed,' as we would say today.
George and Ed and Henry were talking to Captain Martin on the quarterdeck, when the lookout in the crow's nest called out "Storm clouds on the horizon, Captain."
They all turned to see black clouds rapidly filling the sky.
"Best get below, and quickly," said the Captain. "Dowse all lights, lest the tossing of the ship cause a lantern to break."
The clouds came closer and closer and the wind changed to a high-pitched keening. As Ed and Henry went into the cabin, they could feel the ship rising and falling with the increased swell of the waves. The ship began to pitch in the rising winds. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed. As the terrified lads looked out of the porthole they saw a giant wave bearing down on the ship.
To be continued.
E’s Comment: Poor George, we need to find him a friend, What’s with this giant wave bearing down on the ship? Are the sharks going to get a treat after all?
Posted: 05/08/09