Jon Smithie
Tribune
“Mina Berkeley!” exclaimed Judge Higgens, “But isn’t this the woman we have just been speaking of?”
“Mina Berkeley?” the Governor said. “There was a young woman name of Berkeley who was flogged ‘round the fleet not a few months ago!”
“What?” Smythie said. “I have heard nothing of it!”
“Twice ‘round, my Lord, twice!” the Judge said.
“I will go to her directly,” Smythie said. “My lords,” he said, making a slight bow, “If you will pardon me for a moment, I will see to Miss Berkeley.”
“By no means Smythie!” Judge Higgens said. “Show her in, do! I should very much like to meet this lady.”
“I am quite certain she would prefer a private audience,” Smythie said.
“Show the lady and Warden Jenkins in” the Governor said.
The secretary bowed and left the room for a moment.
“. . . and it will take no more than a moment. . .” Smythie said, walking to the door, trying to intercept Mina; but too late.
Mina was at the door. She was in high color, her face glowing with perspiration, her hair slightly disarrayed, and looking all the more fetching because of it. Jenkins was at her side, standing hat in hand, rigidly at attention.
Mina made a low and graceful curtsy. Jenkins saluted.
The Governor and the Commodore returned a bow. Judge Higgens remained seated at the desk, impassive as an owl.
“My Lords, Sir Rupert, please forgive this intrusion. I wish to address Sir Rupert about a matter of immediate concern to me, and as he has assured me of his friendship and has demonstrated his benevolence to me on more than one occasion, I thought to intrude yet again on his good nature. But I had no wish to interrupt you, my Lords.”
“I am Governor Maynard, Miss Berkeley, and this is His Honor Judge Higgens. This is a most extraordinary coincidence; Sir Rupert was just informing us of your circumstances. I confess, I am still somewhat in the dark. But I must say that in describing you, Sir Rupert has not done you justice.”
The Governor gave Smythie a sidelong glance.
“A most extraordinary coincidence, indeed,” the Judge said, in his usual stirring tones,laying the quill beside the unsigned warrant. “In fact, I would call it Providential. Sir Rupert has only now laid your statement here before me. I have not yet had the chance to study it carefully.” The Judge lifted the sheets of foolscap from the desk. “If your urgent business pertains to the circumstances detailed in your statement, then you may consider us all interested parties.”
“As what I came to tell Sir Rupert does bear on the complaint you have before you, my Lords, I will report to you my immediate circumstances. I am deeplygrateful for your attention, and promise to be sparing of your valuable time. In short, I discovered soon after my arrival here at Cape Coast that my sister, Laura Berkeley, had not sailed to New South Wales as planned, but was detained here on a charge of sedition, and received a brutal punishment.”
“Laura Berkeley is your sister!” the Governor exclaimed.
“Yes, My Lord.”
“She was found to have violated naval law,”JudgeHiggens said, “And was sentenced under that law. It was a severe penalty, but proper procedure was adhered to. Rest assured, it was all quite legal and proper.”
Anger welled up in Mina. How Mina wished for the voice of the prophet Jeremiah to rail against this old, self righteous man and all his ilk!
Mina stood with head bowed a moment before she was able to continue.
“I subsequently discovered my sister was being kept against her will at the house of a certain Madame Louisa, where I found her being forced to perform degrading and unnatural acts by the very man I complain against in my statement, Captain Writhby himself. With the assistance of Warden Jenkins, I recovered my sister from that place. She is now resting at the house of Warden Jenkins. I wished to apprise Commodore Smythie of this latest occurrence,to forestall the lies and complaints that may follow,and add to my complaint against Captain Writhby the charges of rape and sodomy. Against this Madame Louisa, whatever her real name is, I wish to swear out a complaint of kidnapping and running a bawdy house.”
The judge was in rare good spirits. Against all odds he had caught Smythie in his scheme. So the rogue had wanted this delectable little mouse all to himself!
“And you, Warden Jenkins what have you to say?” the Judge asked.
“Well, my Lord. . .” he started.
“Miss Berkeley said her sister was at the house of Madame Louisa and alleges her sister was there, and performing unnatural acts unwillingly,” Judge Higgens interrupted. “Do you agree, and if so, how did you ascertain this alleged unwillingness?”
Mina gasped. “How dare you sir!” she cried. “My sister would never, ever have done those disgusting things unless forced by the most dreadful means! How can you ask it, how can you even think it?”
“As you have made serious allegations, young woman, it is my duty to determine the truth. Now, Jenkins, speak!”
Swallowing his nerves, Jenkins said,
“My Lord, Laura Berkeley appeared listless and uncomprehending to what was happening around her. I noticed a bottle of Laudanum on the bureau in the room she was in. I do not believe she was in any fit state to participate willingly.”
“Thank you, Warden Jenkins,” Judge Higgens said.
Higgens checked Smythie’s face forthe barely contained rage there, and was delighted.
“Miss Berkeley,” the Judge said, “I believe, based upon your reactions and what you and the Warden have testified, that you have more than sufficient cause to bring an action. To proceed, you must submit a statement detailing your accusations. I assure you that I shall give the matter my personal attention.”
“Thank you, my Lord Judge,” Mina said stiffly.
“And I second Judge Higgens, Miss Berkeley.” Governor Maynard said. “You have aroused a personal interest in all of us. It is indeed unfortunate that, despite our best efforts, such dens of iniquity as you have discovered do exist. It is the nature of sinful man, I regret to say. Especially in such places as Cape Coast, where so many different types of people, and so many different influences, and not all of them good, come together. My secretary shall take your statements. We shall meet again, Miss Berkeley.”
The Governor bowed as Mina and Jenkins were escorted out.
“My Lords, if you will excuse me a moment,” Smythie said, and hurried after Mina.
“Smythie, that devious bastard,” the Governor said, after Smythie had left the room. “Wanting to tuck a little something away for himself, eh? And how extraordinary that it should be that pretty little Berkeley girl’s pretty little sister!”
“How I despise that man,” The judge said. “He’s naught but a jumped up delivery boy. So he’s in rut, is he?”
“And who can blame him?” the Governor said. “But of course he must be taught a lesson.”
Judge Higgens considered a moment.
“I believe we should grant him his little favor.”
He then moved the warrant back under his hand. He dipped the quill and signed it with a flourish.
“But first, we shall have our taste.”
Once outside the Governor’s chamber Smythie dismissed the other two men and took Mina by the arm.
“What the devil have you done?” Smythie said to Mina. “Your appearance here has complicated my arrangements!”
“Sir,” Mina said, “Why should my appearance here alter any arrangements you have made? You frighten me, sir! Please let go of me.”
Mina twisted her arms, and Smythie let her out of his grasp.
“Sir,” Mina said, “I consider you my great benefactor, and my feelings towards you are of greatest respect and deepest gratitude. But those feelings, as profound as they are, will not develop into feelings of a more passionate or intimate nature. I regret if I have engendered any such hopes in you.”
Smythie stared at Mina. His face was flushed, his lips tight with anger.
Was the little chit speaking of love? he wondered. Yes, he had a passion for her, he wanted her all to himself, but only so that he, and only he, would be the one holding the whip.
Smythie took a deep breath and bowed to Mina.
“Forgive my outburst,” he said. “I am your friend still. Never fear. All will be well.”
Abruptly he turned from her and walked away, marshaling his arguments and his enticements to get his way.
When Smythie returned, the Governor jibed him in apparent good humor, and the judge presented Smythie with the warrant.
“She’s all yours,” the Governor said. “But we will have our six this convict transport, and six the next as well. And you will give us an extra point of your end on the slave shipment.”
Smythie agreed, thinking only of how he would make Mina pay.
“Mina Berkeley?” the Governor said. “There was a young woman name of Berkeley who was flogged ‘round the fleet not a few months ago!”
“What?” Smythie said. “I have heard nothing of it!”
“Twice ‘round, my Lord, twice!” the Judge said.
“I will go to her directly,” Smythie said. “My lords,” he said, making a slight bow, “If you will pardon me for a moment, I will see to Miss Berkeley.”
“By no means Smythie!” Judge Higgens said. “Show her in, do! I should very much like to meet this lady.”
“I am quite certain she would prefer a private audience,” Smythie said.
“Show the lady and Warden Jenkins in” the Governor said.
The secretary bowed and left the room for a moment.
“. . . and it will take no more than a moment. . .” Smythie said, walking to the door, trying to intercept Mina; but too late.
Mina was at the door. She was in high color, her face glowing with perspiration, her hair slightly disarrayed, and looking all the more fetching because of it. Jenkins was at her side, standing hat in hand, rigidly at attention.
Mina made a low and graceful curtsy. Jenkins saluted.
The Governor and the Commodore returned a bow. Judge Higgens remained seated at the desk, impassive as an owl.
“My Lords, Sir Rupert, please forgive this intrusion. I wish to address Sir Rupert about a matter of immediate concern to me, and as he has assured me of his friendship and has demonstrated his benevolence to me on more than one occasion, I thought to intrude yet again on his good nature. But I had no wish to interrupt you, my Lords.”
“I am Governor Maynard, Miss Berkeley, and this is His Honor Judge Higgens. This is a most extraordinary coincidence; Sir Rupert was just informing us of your circumstances. I confess, I am still somewhat in the dark. But I must say that in describing you, Sir Rupert has not done you justice.”
The Governor gave Smythie a sidelong glance.
“A most extraordinary coincidence, indeed,” the Judge said, in his usual stirring tones,laying the quill beside the unsigned warrant. “In fact, I would call it Providential. Sir Rupert has only now laid your statement here before me. I have not yet had the chance to study it carefully.” The Judge lifted the sheets of foolscap from the desk. “If your urgent business pertains to the circumstances detailed in your statement, then you may consider us all interested parties.”
“As what I came to tell Sir Rupert does bear on the complaint you have before you, my Lords, I will report to you my immediate circumstances. I am deeplygrateful for your attention, and promise to be sparing of your valuable time. In short, I discovered soon after my arrival here at Cape Coast that my sister, Laura Berkeley, had not sailed to New South Wales as planned, but was detained here on a charge of sedition, and received a brutal punishment.”
“Laura Berkeley is your sister!” the Governor exclaimed.
“Yes, My Lord.”
“She was found to have violated naval law,”JudgeHiggens said, “And was sentenced under that law. It was a severe penalty, but proper procedure was adhered to. Rest assured, it was all quite legal and proper.”
Anger welled up in Mina. How Mina wished for the voice of the prophet Jeremiah to rail against this old, self righteous man and all his ilk!
Mina stood with head bowed a moment before she was able to continue.
“I subsequently discovered my sister was being kept against her will at the house of a certain Madame Louisa, where I found her being forced to perform degrading and unnatural acts by the very man I complain against in my statement, Captain Writhby himself. With the assistance of Warden Jenkins, I recovered my sister from that place. She is now resting at the house of Warden Jenkins. I wished to apprise Commodore Smythie of this latest occurrence,to forestall the lies and complaints that may follow,and add to my complaint against Captain Writhby the charges of rape and sodomy. Against this Madame Louisa, whatever her real name is, I wish to swear out a complaint of kidnapping and running a bawdy house.”
The judge was in rare good spirits. Against all odds he had caught Smythie in his scheme. So the rogue had wanted this delectable little mouse all to himself!
“And you, Warden Jenkins what have you to say?” the Judge asked.
“Well, my Lord. . .” he started.
“Miss Berkeley said her sister was at the house of Madame Louisa and alleges her sister was there, and performing unnatural acts unwillingly,” Judge Higgens interrupted. “Do you agree, and if so, how did you ascertain this alleged unwillingness?”
Mina gasped. “How dare you sir!” she cried. “My sister would never, ever have done those disgusting things unless forced by the most dreadful means! How can you ask it, how can you even think it?”
“As you have made serious allegations, young woman, it is my duty to determine the truth. Now, Jenkins, speak!”
Swallowing his nerves, Jenkins said,
“My Lord, Laura Berkeley appeared listless and uncomprehending to what was happening around her. I noticed a bottle of Laudanum on the bureau in the room she was in. I do not believe she was in any fit state to participate willingly.”
“Thank you, Warden Jenkins,” Judge Higgens said.
Higgens checked Smythie’s face forthe barely contained rage there, and was delighted.
“Miss Berkeley,” the Judge said, “I believe, based upon your reactions and what you and the Warden have testified, that you have more than sufficient cause to bring an action. To proceed, you must submit a statement detailing your accusations. I assure you that I shall give the matter my personal attention.”
“Thank you, my Lord Judge,” Mina said stiffly.
“And I second Judge Higgens, Miss Berkeley.” Governor Maynard said. “You have aroused a personal interest in all of us. It is indeed unfortunate that, despite our best efforts, such dens of iniquity as you have discovered do exist. It is the nature of sinful man, I regret to say. Especially in such places as Cape Coast, where so many different types of people, and so many different influences, and not all of them good, come together. My secretary shall take your statements. We shall meet again, Miss Berkeley.”
The Governor bowed as Mina and Jenkins were escorted out.
“My Lords, if you will excuse me a moment,” Smythie said, and hurried after Mina.
“Smythie, that devious bastard,” the Governor said, after Smythie had left the room. “Wanting to tuck a little something away for himself, eh? And how extraordinary that it should be that pretty little Berkeley girl’s pretty little sister!”
“How I despise that man,” The judge said. “He’s naught but a jumped up delivery boy. So he’s in rut, is he?”
“And who can blame him?” the Governor said. “But of course he must be taught a lesson.”
Judge Higgens considered a moment.
“I believe we should grant him his little favor.”
He then moved the warrant back under his hand. He dipped the quill and signed it with a flourish.
“But first, we shall have our taste.”
Once outside the Governor’s chamber Smythie dismissed the other two men and took Mina by the arm.
“What the devil have you done?” Smythie said to Mina. “Your appearance here has complicated my arrangements!”
“Sir,” Mina said, “Why should my appearance here alter any arrangements you have made? You frighten me, sir! Please let go of me.”
Mina twisted her arms, and Smythie let her out of his grasp.
“Sir,” Mina said, “I consider you my great benefactor, and my feelings towards you are of greatest respect and deepest gratitude. But those feelings, as profound as they are, will not develop into feelings of a more passionate or intimate nature. I regret if I have engendered any such hopes in you.”
Smythie stared at Mina. His face was flushed, his lips tight with anger.
Was the little chit speaking of love? he wondered. Yes, he had a passion for her, he wanted her all to himself, but only so that he, and only he, would be the one holding the whip.
Smythie took a deep breath and bowed to Mina.
“Forgive my outburst,” he said. “I am your friend still. Never fear. All will be well.”
Abruptly he turned from her and walked away, marshaling his arguments and his enticements to get his way.
When Smythie returned, the Governor jibed him in apparent good humor, and the judge presented Smythie with the warrant.
“She’s all yours,” the Governor said. “But we will have our six this convict transport, and six the next as well. And you will give us an extra point of your end on the slave shipment.”
Smythie agreed, thinking only of how he would make Mina pay.