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  ISBN 978-0-98875-653-3

  eBook 978-0-98875-654-0

  To Catherine, my children, family, and friends

  A special recognition of my 4th great Grandfather Johann Droop, a genuine 18th century German pirate who eventually sailed to the Dutch East Indies and married a Javanese princess

  This book is dedicated to all of you

  CHARACTERS

  Heinrich Drope - Captain

  Otto Kleist - First Officer

  Klaus Wagner – Cabin Boy

  Heinz Weber – Merchant

  Andreas Becker – General Manager

  Bernhard Fisher – Ship Captain

  Liza – Klaus’s friend

  Helga – Otto Kleist’s partner

  Ramon Abril – Paraiso Chief Elder

  Partial Crew:

  Reiner Mannheim - Master Swordsman

  Diego Cordoba - Master Swordsman

  Conrad Geiger – Master Gunner

  Manfred Rhine – Master Gunner

  Wolfgang Jung – Master Gunner

  Bruno Walter – Master Rifleman

  Arnold Schroeder – Master Rifleman

  Anton Krause – Boarding Leader

  Günter Dietz - Sailing Master

  Ebert Fiedler and Kurt Bach - Helmsmen

  Siegfried Strobel - Ship Surgeon

  Fritz Huber – Boatswain

  Marten Bauer – Master Carpenter

  Johann Keller – Assistant Carpenter

  Karl Schmitt- Chief Cook

  Hugo Hartman - Assistant Cook

  Waldo Lange - Boatswain

  Stein Peters – Master Rifleman

  Caspar de Haan - Boarding Leader

  Diederik Kaas - Boarding Leader

  Erwin Alder - Boarding Leader

  Rolf Hirsch - Boarding Leader

  Paul Schmidt - Boarding Leader

  Hans Vogel - Boarding Leader

  Gerhard Sauer - Boarding Leader

  Ernst Mayer - Boatswain

  Peter Albrecht - Purser

  Ritter Koch

  Cabin Boys:

  Roderick Klein

  Dieter Walter

  Jan Kruger

  Adler Braun

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  FLEEING MISERY

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHANCE to SAIL

  CHAPTER THREE

  FIRST VOYAGE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  GRATEFUL COUNTENANCE

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A COURAGEOUS ACT

  CHAPTER SIX

  BRINGING HOME, the PRIZE

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  PREPARATION to set SAIL

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ORPHAN LAD

  CHAPTER NINE

  KARL, KING of the DOCKS

  CHAPTER TEN

  NEW WORLD

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  MOLDING a CREW

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  TROUBLE LURKS

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ESPRIT de CORP

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  MERCHANTS by CHOICE

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  MORE RECRUITS

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  STOWING of WEAPONS

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHARLESTON

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  RUMBLE on DECK

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  SAVANNAH BOUND

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  REINER’S STORY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  SAVANNAH

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  OTTO’S ESCAPADE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  SPANISH LIONHEART

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CARIBBEAN BOUND

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  UNPARDONABLE INCIDENT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CONSTERNATION

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  SECOND SHIP

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  HABITAT in SECLUSION

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  TIME on the ISLAND

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  PHYSICAL JUSTICE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  BRITISH INTENTIONS

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  TRADING AGREEMENT

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  TRIAL by FIRE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  EXECUTION of a PLAN

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  A BRUSH with DEATH

  Caribbean

  CHAPTER ONE

  FLEEING MISERY

  Heinrich von Drope seriously thought of brutally beating his father with an iron pan the night he left home. The old man had succumbed to his liquor and was sprawled on a sofa inside the grandiose old baroque mansion, which was their primary family home in Hanover, Germany. The lad wanted to extract some form of retribution for having horribly suffered at the man’s cruel hands for so many years; however, he had been merciful enough to leave the reprobate alone, believing his father would ultimately suffer a worse fate; life without family and few friends.

  The year was 1790. Born into aristocracy, the boy should have grown up surrounded by the finer things in life. Alas, Heinrich was destitute without the nurturing love of a mother. She had perished giving birth to him. His father, who had once led a life of respectful distinction, had become a wretched empty soul after the loss of his wife by escaping from his misery in a bottle of alcohol. His binges had taken a heavy toll on his body as well as his mind, and over the years had directly affected his son, who had to endure his father’s malice.

  Instead of having a doting father, Heinrich’s lone parent wasted away his health, sanity, and a relationship with his son who desperately needed guidance and love. His father’s perpetual state of grief had taken a toll that would forever alienate him from his only offspring, and the eventual successor to the family fortune, which over time, dwindled from mismanagement. Heinrich suffered greatly due to neglect; his only memories were of his father’s rages. His early childhood was filled with such hostility that he sought solace away from a home that offered nothing but pain and hopelessness.

  Even though his wife left him a son, Heinrich’s father was never able to bond with the boy; a living reminder of the tragic loss he incurred. Heinrich was raised by a nanny who looked after his basic needs but was not all that keen on raising him as if he were her child. Her focus was to assure her employment while skimming off a portion of the estate’s accounts, which escaped the lax eye of the manor’s master.

  For the last few years, Heinrich had sought the courage to escape his miserable existence. Even the peasant boys he befriended seemed to have better lives than he did in spite of being poor. What did wealth matter when his life abounded with dread? He decided to find his own destiny in the world far from his cruel father. He had no illusion about inheriting the estate, which had been a prison to him more than a home.

  He said farewell on a dark overcast night with a cursory wave of the hand. As he walked out the door, his slim body was immediately drenched by the storm that engulfed the town. As he climbed the hilltop ridge, he looked back at the stark building, standing proud in its majestic glory, yet empty of warmth. He turned away still thinking of the paternal care that was denied him as long as he could remember. Relieved he had finally taken the bold step to leave, yet apprehensive of the future, even though he knew what he wanted, and was determined to make a new lif
e for himself.

  After leaving the town’s outskirts, he felt the excitement within him when he thought of finally being free of the old man’s scourge and that he was never, ever, coming back. To his right, he gave a passing glance toward the expansive Herrenhausen Gardens with its magnificent water fountain. It was one of the few endearing places that had provided gentle solitude for the troubled youth. His father’s aristocratic status allowed him entrance to the gardens, and amongst the botanical beauty, he had found a small semblance of peace. He knew, however, that much more than tranquil solitude was needed for him to seek a life worth living.

  The seventeen-year-old boy made his way north to the sea. Young Heinrich von Drope, born in luxury, entitlement, with a birthright to a considerable fortune was in the process of burying his past, and beginning a new journey through life. He had a plan; he would eradicate the title of nobility, and adopted the name of Heinrich Drope, he would be known as a young lad from the country – raised on a small farm. He would become a new person.

  It was two days journey to the northern seaports, and all Heinrich had to eat was the soggy bread that he had stowed in his coat pockets, which was nearly as wet as the rest of him. When he arrived at the port of Bremerhaven, he was a filthy, muddy wreck. He found a place by the docks to clean up as best as he could. After washing he hid behind some old barrels in his undergarments, shivering in the cold as he waited for his clothes to dry.

  During the time he waited, dozens of ships sailed by. The place was buzzing with activity. He never saw anything like it. Heinrich believed there must be some type of work he could do in such a busy place. However, the port had more than enough men who were also looking for employment. The upcoming week found him walking the harbor in a dismal search for work – any work – no matter how menial the task. He talked to countless shop owners without luck. It began to dawn on him that finding a job was not as easy as he had hoped it would be.

  On the cold and windy nights, he huddled in any protected space he could find, trying to stay warm and dry; he was able to sleep only a few hours at a time. Begging for food – mere scraps to sustain him, became a priority.

  By week’s end, Heinrich was exhausted. Nearing hopelessness in his search for employment, he happened to stumble upon a small crowd of merchants and overheard them discussing that crewmembers were needed for several ships ready to break port on a short journey to England. He inched between the men and made himself visible.

  “What do you want, lad?” An old gent irritably asked him.

  “I am looking to sail on one of the ships as a cabin boy.”

  “Du? – You? You do not look seaworthy. Go home to your mama and stop bothering us.”

  The lad was persistent. “Mein Herr, I have worked the docks for several years, and even though I look younger than I am, I am an experienced hand on any ship,” he said trying to sound convincing.

  “You can’t be serious, boy,” another man spoke up. “You look like you can barely reach the top rail.”

  “But you have never seen anyone climb the rigging as well or run the catwalks as fleet-footed as I.”

  “Perhaps not, but I don’t have time to discuss this with you, so be off,” said the first merchant.

  “Just wait there a moment,” another man spoke who had heard enough to take an interest. “You said you had sailed before, lad?”

  “More than I can count on my two hands, Mein Herr,” Heinrich lied with conviction.

  The older man broke a thin smile, and looked at Heinrich, sizing him up. “I can possibly use you as part of my crew. One of my ship’s cabin boys has come up lame a couple of days ago, and I need someone with knowledge of the ship’s regimen. If you’re available to ship out, perhaps you can take his place on the voyage.”

  “Mein Herr, I am currently available since my boat is going through several months of repairs.”

  “All right, son, come with me to my warehouse to sign the register,” the man, who others addressed as Herr Weber, left with Heinrich in tow, chuckled to himself about the act the young lad was trying to pull off.

  It was just the kind of opportunity Heinrich needed, and he jumped at the chance. He followed in the footsteps of the elderly merchant to his warehouse at the end of the dock. The wrought iron signage on the brick building simply read, Weber Maritime. He signed the paperwork not even reading it and was escorted to a group of men who were loading a ship that was docked nearby. The work was grueling, but he learned to pace himself by watching the other men handle their loads. By nightfall, he was exhausted not only because he used muscles he never thought he had but also because of his lack of nourishment over the last week. One dockworker took a liking to the young lad who had put his back into the job with honest effort and sidled up to him on a wooden bench after the workday ended. His name was Otto Kleist, and he had worked for the merchant a number of years. He handed Heinrich a bundle of clothes that Herr Weber instructed him to do and showed him a worker’s washroom. The opportunity to shed his filthy clothes, and wash was a pure delight. He could not recall a time when he was this grimy. When he was done, he felt like a new creature despite his entire body being sore from the day’s work.

  Otto asked where Heinrich was staying. Heinrich hesitated while searching for an adequate answer, not wanting this man to think he was homeless. Otto had already figured the lad had no place to live and invited him home for dinner.

  Heinrich was grateful for the gesture and accepted the invitation. The two walked through town; the entire way Otto told him about Weber Maritime, and its proprietor, Herr Heinz Weber. They came to a small house not far from the docks. A delightful aroma hit Heinrich’s nostrils as he entered the tiny structure, and the warm, homey abode struck him with a bit of homesickness, even though his memories of home were dreadful. He was introduced to a smiling pleasant rotund woman busy preparing the evening meal. He expected a swarm of children to come running out of the woodwork, but none had shown themselves. It turned out the couple had no children.

  The meal was delicious, and to Heinrich, it was a feast, especially compared to the scraps of barely edible food he had begged for the last few days. He was half-asleep before he swallowed the last morsel of food, and Otto and Helga couldn’t help but notice. Helga whispered something to Otto that Heinrich didn’t quite pick up. Several minutes later it became clear when Otto prepared a corner of the room with several old blankets and wrapped up an additional one in a bundle for a pillow.

  “Junge Mann – young man, you are our guest tonight, and I do not want to hear any argument otherwise. I have made you a cozy enough bed to get a good night sleep, so you take it, and don’t argue the point.”

  “Otto, I can’t put you and Helga out by-”

  “Nein, nein. I said no arguments, lad. You are staying here; you are completely beat from working, and you will not act ungrateful. We insist.”

  Heinrich couldn’t say no to the kind offer, and insult his gracious hosts for their generosity, anyways he was much too tired to turn it down, so he relented, said his profound thanks, and bade his new friends a good night as he shuffled his weary body to the cozy corner of the room and lay down. He was sound asleep within a matter of seconds. Otto and Helga smiled at each other seeing the affable young boy asleep, and then together they went upstairs happy to have been able to help the lad who had nowhere to spend the night.

  Morning came much too quickly; faster than Heinrich desired as he woke up to the smell of food cooking. He rubbed his eyes and sat erect yawning incessantly before he noticed Otto seated at the small table sipping coffee, and Helga putting the finishing touches on the simple breakfast of sausages and bread.

  “You best get up and eat something, Heinrich. We have to be off to work soon,” said Otto. You were so sound asleep; it’s as if you hadn’t rested for days.”

  “I … uh, was exhausted from yesterday’s work. I am not used to so much labor in a long time.”

  “Ja, I could tell. You will learn to pace yourself,
and over time things will get somewhat easier. You also need to get your strength back. I suspect you have not eaten very well living on the street as you have.”

  The stark reality of him being homeless was humiliating. He felt terribly exposed, yet he could not refute the fact. These people were exceptionally kind to him.

  “Do not fret. Otto and I have discussed your situation,” Helga cut into the conversation, “and we are more than happy to take you in as a boarder, for a while, until we can locate a more suitable place for you to quarter.”

  Heinrich was surprised and embarrassed at the same time for such a thoughtful and gracious gesture. Now here were two people he had just met, and they were offering him their home to stay at; he was totally stunned at the generosity. And in his flabbergasted state, he was speechless. Otto and Helga simply smiled at him, happy to be able to offer the young lad a roof over his head.

  “Hey, don’t be so startled that there are some decent folks in this world,” Otto commented. “We don’t know what you were running away from, and for what reason, but having done the same some years back, I can spot a runaway a nautical mile off. I happen to think you’re a good lad, and sometimes people just need a break so they can stand on their own two feet.”

  “I really do not know what … to say. You barely know me, and your kindness is not something I am used to. My father was not one that taught me to trust people. I couldn’t even trust my own father for that matter.”

  “Don’t’ worry, boy. Helga and I can take you in for a short time, but as we said, we will find you a place of your own.”

  “No problem, I understand. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”

  “Come on; you better eat something so we can get going. We will have plenty of time to talk later.”

  Heinrich jumped up, and gobbled a couple of sausages and a piece of bread, and was ready to go in no time at all. He and Otto said their farewell to Helga and strode through the narrow cobblestone streets to the harbor. The wind was brisk, and the fast walk helped them warm their bodies. With only minutes to spare, they made it to the warehouse on time. A handful of men were loitering near the door waiting for Herr Becker, the supervisor, to open it.

  “What’s the lad’s name, Otto?” asked one man standing a couple of feet away.