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Once the ship was outside of territorial waters, Liam issued his men with their sidearm. He had obtained a Zodiac, a semi rigid inflatable boat, with an eighty horse power outboard engine it was for security and rescue work. It was John Clayton’s pride and joy. At Liam’s suggestion, he had fabricated a mounting for the machine gun. Liam decided that it was time to try it out. At Liam’s request, Jock had provided an empty fifty-gallon oil drum; it was to be used as a target.
The crew lined the ship’s rail, they watched as the drum was dropped over the stern. The sea was reasonably calm, and the drum bobbed lazily up and down in their wake. When it was about a hundred behind them, the Zodiac roared into view. John Clayton was sitting on the centre console handling the boat, with Declon O'Brien on the machine gun.
With a sound like tearing canvas, Declon opened fire. It was quite spectacular. The drum half lifted into the air, then fell back, it immediately filled with water and sank out of sight. The whole exercise lasted only a matter of seconds. The crew gave a resounding cheer. Declon stood up and gave an exaggerated bow, and then he clasped his hands over his head like a champion prize-fighter.
Liam was on the bridge with the Skipper and the Chief. 'Quite impressive', Jock remarked.
'Yes, they handled it quite well, Liam replied. 'A bit of overkill, but it should give the crew confidence in our ability to handle trouble. Let’s hope that the only things we have to shoot at are oil drums'.
The remainder of the trip was uneventful. Liam knowing the expertise of his men with firearms had decided that any further demonstrations were unnecessary and would be a waste of ammunition. Instead, he had them practise rescue scenarios with the Zodiac.
The days passed without incident. Liam was finding that shipboard life, when there was nothing much to do, could get very boring. It was also getting hard to keep his men occupied. There was a limit to how many rescue and security scenarios he could give them.
Then the great day came. They had arrived.
The weather in the Caribbean was everything he had dreamed it would be. The transition from the Atlantic was an amazing thing, from the cold green of the Atlantic, to the warm, incredibly blue of the Caribbean, never ceased to thrill him.
The thing that had amazed him was the apparent lack of twilight, and the change from day to night. There was only the briefest twilight, and then it was night. To anyone born in the Northern Hemisphere, it came as a shock. Not that it got as dark as back home, even without the moon, the stars were so bright and clear you could practically read a newspaper by them.
He was enthralled watching dolphins, sharks and flying fish, and at night the phosphorescence in the sea was magic. Watching a Dolphin leap clear of the water, and trailing streamers of cold green light, was stunning to behold.
Liam’s intercom buzzed. 'Yes?' he answered.
'Jock here, can you come to the bridge. Joe's on the phone, and he wants a word'.
'On my way', Liam replied. Once on the bridge he took the phone.
'Liam here'.
'Hello', Joe voice echoed hollowly. 'I want you to pick me up in Antigua. You should be here tomorrow morning. I've told Jock to stay a couple of miles offshore so you can come and get me in the Zodiac. You won't have to worry about visas or the like. That’s all taken care of; anyway you won’t be coming ashore. Just pick me up in Dickenson Bay. Jock will point you in the right direction'.
Liam was surprised to hear that Joe was even in the Caribbean, let alone joining the ship.
'Right you are Joe, no problem. I'm getting good handling the Zodiac, and the more practice I get the better. I promise not to drown you'.
It was a bright sunny morning as Liam had the Zodiac lowered onto the water. Although it was only seven o'clock, the day was already warming up. Jock had shown Liam the jetty where he would pick Joe up. Using powerful binoculars, they could see him already waiting on the jetty.
It was the first time that Liam had seen Antigua. He felt a little disappointed, although the sea could not have been bluer, and through the glasses he could see palm trees, it all looked dried out, and fairly low lying, not really his idea of a tropical paradise.
The outboard fired first time. Swinging around the stern of the ship, he opened it up. Within seconds the Zodiac came up on the plane, it was like flying.
Wow! This is the life he thought. This is how the other half live, and I'm being paid for it.
As he approached the jetty, he throttled the engine down. There were quite a few expensive looking yachts moored in the bay, and he did not want to make a fool of himself and hit one.
‘Carefully does it’, he muttered to himself. Lady luck was smiling on him as he judged it to perfection, coming to a stop exactly where Joe was standing waiting.
'Nicely done my boy', Joe congratulated him. 'You handled her to the manor born. Now don't maker a balls up of it getting me back to the ship. I want us away from here a.s.a.p.'
Half an hour later Antigua was just a misty shape on the horizon.
They where having a conference of war in the Captains cabin.
Joe had the floor. 'First things first', he said. 'We need to stock up with fresh water, fruit, and vegetables, enough to see us through the next couple of months. The reef where we will be working is on the uninhabited side of the island, and there is no safe place to go ashore there. Not that many people live on the island, just a few Carib Indians. Therefore, we have to be self-sufficient. Any questions?'
'Where do you plan on victualing? Jock asked. Joe produced a chart from his briefcase.
'I think our best bet is the island of Dominica, I know a few people there, and I have already made the arrangements. Everything should be ready and waiting for us. There is a good deep-water jetty right by the Capitol. I expect to be in and out within two days, ok?'
Liam looked questioningly at Joe.
'Isn't that the island where all the baddies are? Same place as Haiti? Papa Doc and all that'.
Joe laughed. 'Your getting you islands mixed up. You are thinking of the Dominican Republic. Different place altogether. The one I'm talking about is nicknamed the ‘Nature Island’. It's reputed to have three hundred and sixty five streams and rivers; all fit to drink. Add to them a rain forest, and it's also very mountainous, it’s a fantastic island. When we get there, you will see why it got its nickname. I have been there a few times, and in my opinion, it is the most beautiful spot that I’ve ever seen.
'It has a small population, about seventy five thousand. It has a high literacy rate, and very friendly people. Apart from cruise ships, there is hardly any tourist industry, even though it has some great hotels. The problem for tourists is the lack of sandy beaches. What beaches there are, are mostly of the beaten track. Although why people travel thousands of miles, and spend a fortune, just to spend most of their time lying on a beach escapes me. They may as well go on a package tour to Spain'.
Jock burst out laughing. 'Are you after a job as Minister for Tourism, or something?'
Joe grinned. 'No it's just that I fell in love with the place the first time I saw it. However, like every place, it does have its down side, but not enough to worry about'.
Liam was woken by a gentle tapping on his door. Stumbling out of his bunk, he opened the door. It was Angela.
'Morning my flower. To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing your beautiful face, at this ungodly hour?' Angela smiled beatifically.
Oh don't be such a grump. 'Throw your dressing gown on for the sake of modesty, and come on deck'. Liam peered at his watch. 'What can be so important at five-thirty in the morning to go on deck for?'
'Just do it', Angela snarled; as she walked off down the passageway toward the after deck.
Liam’s voice carried after her. 'I can't stand bossy women at the best of times, and this isn't the best of times. You’re too young for the menopause, so it must be that time of the month, so I'll humour you'. He dragged on his jeans and followed on deck.
Angela was standing leaning on the rail. The sun had just poked its nose over the horizon, and its rays made her auburn hair look as if it was on fire. Walking up behind her, he put his hands on the rail, either side of her. Nuzzling her neck, he murmured. ‘Sorry for being a grump my love'. She pressed back against him.
‘I forgive you'. She pointed in the direction of the bow of the ship.
'That's the reason I wanted you to come on deck'. Liam looked to where she was pointing.
There in the distance, about two miles away, was the island of Dominica.
Liam stood bewitched. Rising out of an impossibly blue sea was the tropical island of his dreams. Rain forested mountains, towering to over four thousand feet rose toward the clear blue sky. He could see the surf breaking against sheer palm fringed cliff faces, with here and there, a small white sandy beach. It was truly a magnificent sight.
Angela turned to him. 'Glad I made you get out of your pit?' She inquired. Liam kissed her soundly on her lips, not caring who might see them.
'I feel like it's Christmas and my birthday all rolled up in one', he replied in a hushed voice. 'It's all I've ever dreamed of’.
The ship berthed at the jetty below the Capital, Roseau. From close up Liam was a little disappointed. It seemed to be a town of mostly tin roofed buildings. But even they could not detract from the sheer beauty of the landscape. As Jock had pointed out, it was a third world economy, and it wasn't being helped by the banana war going on back home within the EC union.
Britain had guaranteed to buy the crops of bananas, citrus fruits, and copra when they where granted independence in nineteen seventy-eight. However, as usual the politicians spoke with forked tongues. The Dominican bananas were the wrong shapes. They were banana shaped, when according to the wise men of the EEC they should be straight. To Liam, these faceless men seemed sadly lacking in reason of any sort.
Chapter 9
There was not much for Liam to do while the stores were being loaded so he decided that he and Angela would go on a short tour of the island.
They walked hand in hand along the main street of the town, eh was quite surprised by the friendliness of the local people. ‘What a difference to our country’ he remarked. Angela smiled. ‘Yes and the weathers not bad either’, it was certainly warming up.
They decided to try one of the local small bars; at least it might prove cooler.
It was, thanks to a couple of large electric fans that were creating a mini tornado.
The barman looked up as they entered. ‘Hello there, what would you like to drink’?
Liam looked at the array of bottles on the shelves at the back of the bar. Nothing exciting there he thought. The he noticed some demi-johns full of liquid, not only that there were other things in them as well. Stuff that looked like bits of twigs, leaves and what looked like berries.
Interesting, he thought.
‘What’s in those demi-johns he asked the barman’?
Ah! That’s our local island rum, we brew our own, and we all add our own secret ingredients.
Well I definitely will give them a try, how about it my love? Angela grinned. ‘Sounds good to me, make a nice change to the normal booze’.
Liam pointed to one demi-john. ‘I like the look of that, so we’ll start with that and see how it goes’.
The barman smiled. ‘Well you’ve picked a good one to start with, I call it White Lightening, and my advice is to take it easy. Our island rums are not for the novice or faint hearted’.
He poured two glasses. ‘Drink up my friends, the first is on the house and welcome to our island’.
‘That’s very decent of you’, Liam replied. He raised his glass to Angela, to an exciting few weeks’, he toasted.
They clinked glasses and drank.
‘Wonderful’ Liam enthused. ‘Smooth as silk’.
The rum was like nothing he had tasted before, like nectar.
Then it arrived in his stomach. It started to glow, the glow spreading out until his body felt as though it was gently burning.
‘Hells bells, this is something else’, he laughed.
Looking at Angela he saw her face becoming very red, tears starting down her cheeks.
‘I don’t think we will have too many of these’, he grinned.
‘Now I know why you call white lightening, it should carry a hazard warning’.
The barman grinned. ‘Well the locals are used to it; in fact they think it one of the milder drinks’. Liam looked at him in astonishment. ‘Mild, you have to be joking. If this is mild I don’t want to try your strong ones’.
They decided against another drink and went to explore the town.
There was not much to see, just the usual small store and workshops. They did come across a small market selling mostly local fruit and vegetables. The sun was increasing in strength so they decided to get back to the ship.
After the ship had provisioned they sailed for the island of St. Paul’s.
Two days later they had dropped anchor half a mile offshore from St Paul’s. Liam was leaning on the ships rail admiring the view; and what a view it was. They had dropped anchored in a small bay, which apart from the gap that they had entered through was completely encircled by a wicked looking coral reef. The prevailing winds blew onto the opposite of the island, so it made for a well-protected anchorage.
The beach was comprised of brilliant white sand, so white that it looked unreal. Like something only Hollywood would dream up. Tall palm trees fringed the waters edge, behind which could be seen dense undergrowth in every shade of green imaginable. The centre of the island was an extinct volcano rising to just under five thousand feet. The whole of which was covered in dense rain forest.
'Morning Mr Casey'. A hand gently caressed his bottom. 'Good morning to you, my little tropical flower, how are you on this fine morning?' He turned to Angela, and taking her in his arms kissed her soundly, at the same time placing his hands on her rear and pulling her into him.
Putting her hands on his chest, she pushed him back. 'Unhand me sir, how dare you take advantage of a maiden in that fashion'. Liam started laughing.
'Maiden? I think your imagination is running wild this morning'. She playfully punched him on the jaw. 'Pig', she hissed.
She leaned on the rail with him. 'You seem very happy this morning my love'. He put his arm round her. 'You could not be more right. How could I be otherwise? I am looking at the garden of Eden, under a beautiful blue sky, the sun is shining, and best of all, I have a gorgeous nymphomaniac to warm my bunk' Angela snuggled closer to him. 'You're a cheeky randy devil, but I do quite fancy you'.
They stood in silence gazing at the island. Angela heaved a great sigh.
'It is the most beautiful spot you could imagine. Do you think we could go ashore later?'
'Of course my sweet, I have to go and recce the place, so we can kill two birds with one brick'.
After first checking with the Skipper, Liam arranged for the Zodiac to be lowered over the side.
Just as they were about to cast off someone called his name. It was Molly. 'Hang on love; I've got something for you'. The something was a cardboard box. 'Just a few things for a picnic, thought you might get peckish with all the fresh air and exercise’, he said, giving a knowing, salacious grin.
'Thank you very much. That was very thoughtful,’ Liam thanked him.
'My pleasure entirely, can't have our head security man dying of starvation, can we now.’
Liam fired up the outboard, and waved goodbye.
As they cleared the ship Angela started to laugh. 'What's tickling you?
She looked at him in mock seriousness. 'I think that I should feel jealous, he fancies you.’ Liam felt himself blushing.
'Don't be stupid, he was just being thoughtful.’
Angela arranged herself primly on her seat. 'Just make sure it's only sandwiches he gives you.’
Liam engaged the engines clutch. The boat leapt forward depositing Angela in a heap at his feet.
'That's it woman; at last you know your place.’
Heading for the shore, he kept the boats speed down, the better to watch the bottom of the lagoon through the amazingly clear water.
'Oh look, what's that?' Angela was pointing to a large flat fish that had been disturbed by the boats passing. It was rapidly swimming away trailing sand like a smoke screen across the bottom.
'It's a ray of some description, not sure what type, just hope they're not stingrays. They can give you a nasty injury. Just watch were you’re stepping when you get out.’
They reached dry sand without any mishap. Liam pulled the Zodiac up the beach.
'Don't want it floating off on the tide; we'd look a right pair of wallys'.
Taking the anchor, he drove it into the sand. 'Come on, I'll race you to the trees.'
Finding a fallen palm tree for a seat, they decided to have a bite to eat, and then go exploring.
'This is heaven,’ Liam declared, passing a lit cigarette to Angela.
'What do you know about this place,' she asked. Liam settled himself comfortably with his back to the tree. 'Ready for the lecture? Well I'll begin. This island, like most in the Caribbean, was discovered by the Spanish. That is to say, they were the first Europeans to find it. The Carib Indians, who were originally from South America, had landed here hundreds of years before. Anyway, the Spanish didn't settle here, they just called in for fresh water and fruit. Although they did establish a small garrison to look after the landing jetty they built, and also the pigs and goats they needed for fresh meat. However, apart from that, there was no permanent settlement.
Eventually, as happened elsewhere, the British arrived and kicked the Spanish out. They did try to establish a colony, but that did not last long either. After a few years, they also left. From then on, it was back to being used as a watering hole.
Buccaneers used it to careen their ships, and maybe bury some treasure, not that there are any stories about that happening, but you never know.'
Angela looked at him questioningly. 'What happened to the Caribs? Did they leave as well?'
'Actually no, they didn't. At first they fought the Spaniards, but they were no match for them. They had bows and arrows; the Spaniards had ship’s cannons, and muskets. It was no contest. They slaughtered many Caribs. It was pretty much the same with the British. So the Caribs retreated into the rain forest and were left in peace.’ He lit two more cigarettes.
'The Indians live, or exist, mainly by fishing and hunting the pigs and goats that escaped and returned to their wild state. Like their cousins on Dominica, they have suffered from the European rules.’
Angela gazed at the surrounding palm trees. 'Oh look, coconuts, they're green? I thought they were brown.’ Liam gave her a superior male look.
'You ignorant female you. They are only brown when the outer husk is removed. That’s the part that is used for making matting and such like, you have probably wiped your feet on it many times. It’s used for all sorts of things, don't you know anything?'
Angela pouted. 'Smart arse chauvinist pig: just because you've read a book, don't think you’re a genius.’
Liam howled with laughter. 'You've found out my secret, actually I read two books. Anyway enough of this love talk, let's go and do some exploring.’
Putting the remains of their picnic into the inflatable, they headed for a track that appeared to lead up to the cliff top.
The track, though not very steep, was fairly hard going. It had obviously been made over the years by the wild goats and pigs. It was quite narrow, and the humidity was increasing as they struggled through the thick undergrowth.
Creepers fought their way up toward the sunlight, twining themselves around any support they could find. Giant plants, which Liam had only seen as houseplants back home, grew in profusion. Some bearing exotic flowers that made the air heavy with their perfume. Luckily, Liam had brought a machete with him; with it he was obliged in places to hack back the undergrowth. It made him feel a little like a white hunter.
It was becoming a gloomy shadowed world due, to the trees, mostly palms that had interlaced their fronds high above.
'Are there any dangerous animals or spiders on this Eden? Angela whispered. 'Nothing dangerous at all my flower, and there's no need to whisper. As I told you, the only large animals are goats and pigs.
There are some snakes, but none poisonous to man. There are plenty of mosquitoes, but they don't carry malaria. In fact, it is a pretty safe place to live. The Caribs are supposed to be friendly. They live at the far end of the island, and there aren't many of them.’
Liam glanced behind; he was just in time to save Angela from falling. She had snagged her foot on the root of a tree.
'Careful my flower, you must watch where you put your feet, it's not like walking on the pavement,’ he laughed.
'Don't patronise me, you pig. I could have fallen flat on my face.’
'With all due respect my love, and at the risk of being called a male chauvinist swine, the way you are endowed would make it well nigh impossible to fall flat.’
Angela pulled her arm free from his grip, then with her nose held exaggeratedly in the air stalked past him up the track.
At last they reached the top of the cliff emerging into bright sunlight. Liam’s shirt had become so saturated with perspiration it felt as if he had been walking in the rain. Within minutes it started to dry in the hot sun.
'That's better,’ he panted, as the sudden heat took his breath away.
They had emerged into a large clearing; it was surrounded by rampant tropical growth on three sides. The fourth side looked out over the sea. There, far below, was the “Orange Maiden". She looked like a child’s toy, set on a sheet of blue green glass. Her white superstructure and day-glow orange hull gleamed in the sunshine. Her reflection mirrored in the flat calm water of the lagoon.
Angela had found a flat rock to sit on.
'Come over here, you chauvinist pig, I shall forgive you, providing you put your arms around me, and tell me how much you love me.’
Liam joined her on the rock. 'Tell you I love you; that's a bit strong isn't it? You know it's only your body I'm after; we chauvinists are all the same you know.’
To put a lie to his words, he took her in his arms, and then soundly kissed her.
'Bastard,’ she muttered, before his lips put a stop to any further conversation.
They were sitting contentedly holding each other, admiring the view when they were startled by a sudden commotion in the undergrowth.
They looked up to see a large wild pig break from cover. It thundered across the clearing, pursued by three men armed with bows and arrows.
Two of their arrows had already found their mark; the pig was bleeding profusely and struggling to make its escape. Suddenly it turned to face the hunters; prepared to attack.
It had long wickedly curved tusks that were capable of doing immense damage, and that was exactly what it intended. The hunters stopped dead realising their danger. Slowly they began to back away. The pig staring at them with hate filled eyes started to paw the ground; clumps of grass and soil kicking up from its cloven hooves; for all the world like a bull facing a matador.
Liam reached under his shirt, and in one fluid movement he pulled out a nine-millimetre pistol, aimed and fired. The crack of the shot caused Angela to shriek and fall backwards of the rock.
At the same moment a puff of dust exploded from the pig’s chest, just behind its shoulder. It stood completely still for a moment before giving a tremendous shudder, then flopped onto its, side stone dead.
For a moment there was a stunned silence in the clearing, which Angela’s swearing abruptly broke.
'Look here Billy the Kid, the next time you fire that bloody thing, give me some warning, I nearly died of fright.’
Liam reached down and helped her to her feet. 'Sorry for scaring you my love, but I just reacted, that animal was about to do some serious damage to our friends over there. I had to do something.’
As they were speaking, one of the Caribs came walking over.
He was about thirty years of age, of medium height, and quite well built. He was wearing well-worn jeans and a ragged tee shirt, with a faded advertisement for Red Stripe Beer emblazoned across the front.
Liam in his ignorance held up his hand, palm out. The Indian stared at him.
'Wrong sort of Indian my friend,’ he informed Liam in perfect English. Liam lowered his hand, feeling all sorts of a fool.
‘Sorry about that,’ he apologised. ‘I didn't read that part of the tourist guide.’
The man smiled. 'Easy mistake to make. I take it from your accent that you are English, and from Liverpool at that.’
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