Chapter 10: A Heavy Heart
It is autumn in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and thirty. Cass has been to many ports in these many years. He has visited Miss Avery a dozen times, and seen the family grow and flourish.
Rico has become the kind of young man Cass imagines his son would become. He is honest as the day is long.
Becky has started school and still calls Cass poppa. He never forgets to bring them exotic presents when he comes to visit. But, it is his amazing adventurous stories they most look forward to.
Miss Avery has been promoted several times in her position at the restaurant. She is never late to work, and has even inspired new business. She's suggested to the proprietor some new ideas. Cass, it seems, has influenced her imagination. The establishment’s ambiance has changed. It is divided into different section of the world, each having a flavor of the adventures Cass has tasted. The “Port of Sea” has lured customers from around the world to try Lisbon’s new exotic dishes.
For entertainment, Miss Avery offers a free meal to any sailor wishing to share one of their adventure’s on stage before they dine. This has become the most favorite savory desert in all Lisbon. It also has enticed sailors from around the world to come share their golden treasures. They are rewarded with applause and a free dinner.
Rico even helps clean tables when he’s not working with Mr. Burnito, or when he’s not attending school. He would work for free to hear the sailor stories. They bring him closer to the man in his heart that travels the oceans. Miss Avery understands why that man would leave her to explore the seas. She’d give him the world, but he already owns it.
Cass has visited Miss Margret Frensheta quite a few times. His reputation it seems has caused young ladies to buy all of her romantic adventure books. His daunting handsome presence forces these young hearts to have Cass sign their book's; even though he has never authored one novel in his life. Yet, they still drool when he in their presence.
Margret now owns several quaint shops, thanks to the adventurous Cass. Each shop is so packed with customers, it’s hard to bend over and retrieve a possible book from the lower shelves without bumping into a patron. She’s hired new talent to run most of her shops. But, it also allows her to give undivided attention to Cass when he occasionally comes to town. She holds a secret. She would gladly trade all her new found fortune and fame for the remote possibility of being more than a dear friend to Cass. But alas, there remains room for just one lady in his heart. Margret makes sure he is always well stocked with books before leaving out of port. Cass always gives her a public kiss before returning to the sea.
Cass has become an expert at hiding his true feelings. Outwardly, he is a joy to be around. But inside, his callus heart has formed a protective wall to keep it from saying the name of his true love. Only late at night, and when he’s way out to sea, might you hear her name. Every moonlit night he sleeps not. You can see his dark silhouette pacing the “bow” of the “Virgin Queen,” as his heart cries softly into his large rough hands the name of Brandy.
Three times the “Virgin Queen” has steered in to Nuku Hiva since he lasted visited. And three times Cass has requested to stay at the port prior by using his “ship’s accumulated leave time.” Unks brings him news from every visit though. Each of his accounting’s tells how she been since her wealthy Viceroy father suddenly passed away. It seems the French government has stolen her inheritance by stating her father was involved with underhanded dealings. Everyone knows this is a lie though. Now, she waits tables and listens to sailor’s stories.
All the men enjoy the friendly attention she gives each and every sailor. She seems to enjoy sharing time listening to them tell their lives stories. But, Unks knows she is hoping she might hear mention of how her sailor is doing. He knows, because he sees the necklace she still wears. They say “time heals all wounds.” This is one injury that may take more than one lifetime.
The past year, the Cap has started routine shipments to the Orient. Lately, there has been an uneasy feeling covering Europe. There is unrest coming out of Germany. One man has begun to blame the outside world for all Germany’s woes. Trade has become much tougher with its surrounding nations. Some say another great war will come if somebody doesn’t shut his loud mouth. Cap has decided the Orient is more, shall we say, safe. It's also a more lucrative source of income. The “Virgin Queen” has brought Hong Kong and Shanghai fresh fruit from South America, wheat for their masses from the Americas, and Western wear and textiles sporting the latest fashions from the United States, France, and Great Britain. The Ship returns from the Orient mostly with tea, rice, and spices.
The crew has also uncovered one other export hidden in the middle of each shipment. It seems Cap is supplying the West with tons of gunpowder and explosives. None of the crew was ever told about this little secret. They uncovered it by accident, which they agreed to keep hidden between themselves-for now.
One last thing they delivered to the Orient was Wong. He finally found his way home. The crew will surely miss him.
Cass has been a great influence to others along his life’s journey. Children come rushing to greet him in such ports as the Philippians and Maui. Many of them have never been to school. He brings them books he’s bought along his travels. He’s even, shall we say, persuaded some of
the crew to donate a little to his cause.
Each port has started a small library that’s manned by a pretty Polynesian. He teaches
these young ladies how to read each time he comes to visit; who in turn teaches the children how to read. The natives have built grass huts to hold the crates of books that also double as bookshelves. Sometimes he brings candies for the children to snack on. They lay in the sweet grass and warm Sun as he reads stories to them. But, it is always his wonderful adventures they desire to hear most. So do the young ladies.
Many have caught his eye, but none ever his heart. Cass has many, many very beautiful friends that are ladies. While his love is big enough to share with the world, his heart still holds that one spot reserved for a certain woman. He continues giving to others as he searches the vast seas for a distant place to bury his pain. But, Cass only finds there to be great need everywhere, and that the world is way too small to lose the thought of Brandy.
Three more years pass. Near Christmas, Cass receives a postcard from Miss Avery. It seems Rico has grown into a handsome man of his own making, and Becky is no more a young child.
Rico has taken over for Mr. Burnito. Most of his customers are now young ladies. He tells Cass that business has never been better. He also tells Cass how much he misses him.
Miss Avery asks Cass to give her away. She explains how she has found a man he’d even approve of. He is a naval captain. He has promised to retire and help her run the “Port of Sea.” Cass smiles at the picture on the front of the postcard showing her picaresque exotic restaurant. He laughs to see she has decorated it with palm trees, and wonders where she could have possible gotten them. Cass thinks they are a real “eye catcher;” palm trees in Lisbon?
Ava comments that investors want to start a chain of “Port of Sea” restaurants. They have
one condition. Only if Mr. Papleon allows her to be part owner; which he gratefully has.
He reads that Mrs. Guvenossie has become the children's adopted grandmother-along with auntie. She comes over every Sunday for supper; right after church-which they all attend regularly together. The post script at the end of her card brings tears to his eyes.
It reads, “Becky says you still
will always be her poppa.”
Cass peels off a picture of the family taped to the back of the postcard. He attaches both the card and the picture to his locker.
He writes Ava with his congratulations on her well-deserved achievement, and that he’d be glad to give her away next spring. He finishes by telling them he’s going topside and blowing them a big kiss across the Atlantic. He hopes it reaches them before his postcard.
Cass worries about them. The German bigmouth has risen to power and is proclaiming his nation’s superiority. He is using violence to sway his people to his ruthless way of thinking. Cass is growing more anxious, as he learns from passing sailors in various ports, how their captain's are steering clear of any German port. None of their harbor's seems safe anymore. All Europe is beginning to hear his voice, and showing signs of concern. Cass wonders how it will be, come springtime in Lisbon.
The cold winds of January blow over the northern half of the Atlantic. Cap decides to take on warmer waters. The crew gets hold of a copy of the ship’s itinerary from the Cap’s manifesto. One of their scheduled stops will bring them to the port of Dakar. They become angry to find this information was withheld until they steamed south of the British Isles. There is no safe haven port between the Barbary Coast destination and their current location. Only the Great Lady with her miles of open sea stands between them and Dakar. Mutiny is becoming a strong possibility. Their only defense against the dark menace is fearless Cass.
Unks learns of this news first. The crew is hesitant to let Cass know their destination out of fear of how he might react. They’re not as worried about the possible confrontation that Cass desires with the large black fellow, it’s more about what he might do to those who sabotaged the ship’s hull. Cass has never forgiven them for that, nor has the crew. They all agree to let Uncle Jared explain their situation and destination when the time is right.
A couple days later, Unks approaches Cass during his duties topside.
“How are you this fine sparkling day?”
Cass stops painting the ship's railing momentarily to greet him.
“Sure looks like a fine day.”
Unks reaches up and wipes a drop of gray paint off Cass’ cheek.
“Looks like not all the paint made its way on to the railing laddie.”
Cass smiles as Unks rolls the drop between his finger and thumb. Unks pulls his infamous dirty hanky from his pocket, spits on it, and then lifts it towards Cass’ face.
Cass backs away and replies, “Don’t worry, I’ll wash it off later Unks.”
Unks pulls his pipe out and packs it with tobacco.
As he searches in his pockets for a match to light it with, he asks, “Do you know where we are headed?”
Cass puts his brush down on top of his paint can while saying, “Not exactly. The crew mentioned we were probably heading towards Morocco, and then the port of Alexandria. I just know we’re heading in that direction.”
Unks waves Cass over to a part of the railing not yet painted. He places his foot on the lower rail while lighting his pipe. Cass grabs the railing and pushes his body upward, stretching and expanding his muscles enough to nudge Jared unintentionally over.
“Sorry Unks.”
Unks scoots a foot or so over while telling Cass, “You really need to cut back on eating so
much red meat.”
Cass stares at the smooth southern horizon and smiles.
Unks continues with his antics by stating, “Pretty soon you’ll have to wear a tent for a shirt, boy.”
Both spend a relaxing minute or two chuckling and enjoying the view of the calm sea. Unks puffs a smoke ring that rises high before it dissolves into the blue nothingness.
“Hardly any wind on this fine day. We should have smooth sailing the rest of our journey.”
Unks' face turns serious as he prepares to tell Cass their true destinations. Cass notices his change and tries to break the monotony.
“I know you didn’t come here to ask me out on a date.”
Unks' face is forced to smile once again.
“You’re not my type of sailor. I like em short and thin.”
Cass is forced to laugh this time.
“No laddie, the real reason I’m here is to tell you where we’re really headed.”
Cass knows something is up. Both their face's look towards each other. Unks has raised eyebrows and Cass’ face fills with anger. He knows what Unks is going to say next. Unks tells Cass the good news first.
“We are headed to Morocco after our first stop. You’ll get a chance to see Margaret and get another book.”
This does not remove the vengeance from Cass’ thoughts. His mind is locked in a trance,
thinking how he’ll get rid of the dark menace that tried to kill all of them.
He asks Unks, knowing the answer, “And before Morocco?”
Cass braces his hands on the railing, waiting for Unks to respond. His anticipating hands choke the life out of the railing as it begins to make a slight “crackling” sound. Unks hurries to think of a way to tell him the truth without igniting the furious hatred in his straining eyes. Unks says nothing instead.
Unks lowers his leg from the railing. He knows nothing he says will quench this fire, except the chance of revenge, or forgiveness. He knows the later will never happen. Years of experience have taught Uncle Jared this cold dish never leaves a satisfying taste. No matter how much you eat of its plate, you are only left hungry for more. Unks walks away hoping time might change Cass' mind. But, he knows seven years has done nothing to wipe that detestation off that slate of Cass’ memory. So, Unks prays a silent prayer that the miraculous will happen in the next two days. That is when the “Virgin Queen” is schedule to tie dock in Dakar.
Not much is said between the crew that night except unusual polite talk; like: “please pass the butter,” or “good supper Stymie.” The sickening aroma of sweetness only adds a sour taste to all the tension. Every man looks for a way to please Cass. But, Cass just chews his meal slowly, grinding every piece of meat into tiny bits between his clenched teeth. The crew keeps one reverent eye on their plate while hurrying to eat, and their other on the uncontrollable mountain ready to erupt. This is surely a frightening thing.
This night Cass walks the deck thinking. This night the “living quarters” is filled with tossing and turning due to the nightmare fast approaching.
The daybreak is filled with thick purple and red clouds. It’s as if the Sun exploded and
bled on the sea. Miles of pacing throughout the night has given Cass a new perspective. Or, he
sees something in the chaos on the horizon. His eyes match his blank stare this very moment.
Unks bring him a mug of coffee. As he offers it, he lifts it slowly up into Cass’ line of
sight. In this moment, Unks hears the miraculous from Cass’ lips.
“I don’t want to kill anyone anymore.”
Unks thinks, “Thank God!”
They take a moment to adjust to this revelation. Cass slurps a sip, and then Unks gulps a swig. Unks curiosity makes him wonder what major event could have made him change his path towards destruction.
>
“What made you come to that conclusion laddie?”
Cass simply answers, “Momma.”
Unks can only think to agree by reciting his epitaph to Cass’ momma, “Aye; my dear sweet sister.”
Nothing else is said after. For, the mention of her name answered the aching in Cass’ heart. The hate gripping it has given way to the love honoring his momma’s memory. Cass sails the sea with a new perspective; dumping overboard his other objective.
The crew notices the change in Cass as the day drags on. The fear of their friend is gradually replaced with the fear of their fast approaching foe. The red sky warning of the morning has not proven accurate. While the sea has become much choppier, the wind remains calm under the canopy of a hot dark sky.
Word comes from the “wheelhouse” that Cap sees the first sight of the “Barbary Coast.” This is immediately followed by Cap’s direction to the crew that they prepare for a “coastal run.” The prospect of the weather turning worse at moment’s notice forces the captain to risk the jagged corral and rocks in shallower water along the safer coastline. This will add a half day more to the “Virgin Queen's” voyage; due to the more indirect route. But, this longer route gives added protection against the more possible dangerous storm.
This will be a long night for the crew as they search the shallower sea for the dark perils just beneath the waves. We pray we catch the “spring” high tides the rest of the way. And hope there’s enough water between the “Virgin Queen” and the hard jagged fingers of coral trying to pull her down.
Quiet conversation passes between the anxious waves during the night. Each sailor man’s their prescribed position while regularly reporting their findings.
“‘Port-side,’ mid-section. All clear!”
“‘Starboard,’ mid-section reports. All clear!”
The “round robin” of pronouncement circles the ship every five to ten minutes throughout the rest of the night. So do the whispers of what they expect when they reach Dakar.
The early morning “crackles” with fingers of lightening, turning the distant shoreline into a green neon glow.
One of the crew forward sternly proclaims, “Saint Elmo’s Fire!”
A new fear comes aboard. Superstition steers the crew's attention to the folklore every sailor knows by heart. Only the Professor has ever seen this strange substance before. He’s explained it to be simply nothing more than electrified gases. But, the legend of this lifeless apparition appearing right before ships mysteriously sink is much more compelling than the Professors denial of it being an evil entity. No more lightening is observed, just the increasing greenish glow amidst the soaking warm humidity, and the dead awful silence. The green bubble grows bigger as they near Dakar. The crew proceeds to call out their findings with a creepy
“crackle” in their voices.
The smell of Hell’s smoke slowly crawls over top-deck. The stench of sulfur permeates
the air. Now there is this awful pungent sweet smell. Frenchy is the first to proclaim the origins
of this odor.
“I’ve smelled this before. There’s been an explosion. This is the smell of burnt flesh.”
All eyes turn toward the horizon, watching the source of the green glow and its hideous odor. The growing sounds of distant “screaming” and “crying” come from its glowing center. A burning yellow and reddish line below the green haze slowly turns into a dancing string of fire. Cass is drawn by the distant voices of distress to abandon his “starboard” post to investigate. Cap decides to steer closer to shore for a better view. Two hundred yards out, the men see the flaming huts and smell the smoldering carnage. Shapes of women frantically holding their steaming babies line the poorly lit shoreline. Screams for “help!” are immediately heard by the heart of the “Virgin’s” fearless hero.
Cass has no though to his own life as he suddenly dives overboard. The crew wrestles with their conscience as they watch Cass venture towards the very gates of Hell itself. Each of his strokes tortures each of the crew’s scared souls.
The Cap slows the ship to a crawl, and then commands, “Drop anchor!”
He makes his way down to the top-deck alongside the debating crew, passively watching Cass swim for their lives. Cap rips his jacket off while throwing his cap aside.
He stands on the top rung of the railing and yells, “If you be men, follow me!”
He dives into the dark waves, and then chases after Cass. A dozen splashes plunge, as a dozen plus brave souls do more than just follow orders. All hands swim as they watch Cass’ muscular silhouette stand on shore. He towers over the natives that are frantically “screaming” to him while jumping up and down. These black silhouettes jab their arms towards the fire. Cass is gone in a second. Cap struggles to stand as the female voices repeat their message to him. Cap bends over in exhaustion before wobbling after Cass.
One by one, the tired crew makes it to the shoreline. All the while, hearing the women yell something in broken English.
The one familiar word the crew understand is, “Children!”
Cass charges toward the approaching Cap with six or seven babes tucked under his smoldering arms. The charging crew watches as Cass briefly stops and tells the Cap something. Cap recharges towards the burning huts and disappears into the flaming mayhem. Once again, Cass rushes towards the shore, leaving a contrail of smoke.
As he approaches the staggering crew he screams, “Hurry fellows, the whole place is burning, and there are children in there!”
The men find a new-found strength. They charge the fire as Cass runs with the babes towards the water. He does not stop as he drops them in the sea. The frantic mothers hurry to their babies as Cass dashes back towards Hell. He passes the Cap, whom is carrying four crying children. Cap doesn’t realize his trousers are on fire. Several of the crew tries stopping him so they can put it out.
He knocks them over and yells, “There’s no blasted time for that now!”
He rushes to the water and dives in. The crying women grab the floating babies as the burnt Cap tries to reenter the rescue. Several of the women try and help him up, but his wounds are too severe for him to stand.
Cass leaps out of the fire carrying nearly a dozen children, plus one clinging to his neck. He passes the rest of the arriving crew while telling them where to look for the other babes.
Frenchy turns briefly to see Cass’ trousers too are on fire. But, neither the flames nor the
three hundred pound load slows Cass a bit.
Frenchy yells a sort of battle cry before charging the door of a flaming hut.
Each of the crew follows suit and risk life and limb. Each screams their own fearless
gesture as they jump the flames. It seems the captain’s valiant dare to duty has made heroes out of everyman, but none so much as Cass.
The entire village blazes as the last of the crew return to shore. Most carry one or two bawling toddlers.
Some just say, “It’s too late for anyone else.”
The rest stare at the totally consuming fire.
The women weep for the lives lost, but also for their heroes who saved so many. The men return their gratitude by sitting next to the wailing children. They soak in the safe cool surf washing their burns
while soothing their tired bodies.
Steam floats off the water as Cap orders, “Roll call!”
Only one name is not present or accounted for. That name is Cass.
Unks screams under this revelation. He leaps to run and find him. It takes five of the crew to tackle him. He gives black eyes to several of them before he succumbs to the sheer weight of the pile forcing him down on the beach.
Unks looks up and cries out loudly with his breaking heart, “Laddie...my, my precious laddie!”
The ship flounders in the rising tide as first light reveals the sandy beach littered with dirty sleeping bodies. Half the crew fell asleep while sitting in the cool water. The rest lay next to the crying and moaning children, as the native women attend to all their burns and wounds.
Unks' prostrated body lay face down upon his crossed arms, holding his hidden face just
above the sand. His intense crying has caused him to go unconscious.
One of the men suggests getting the “first aid” kit on board, but every soul is too tired or
too injured to risk the long swim to the ship. The smoldering village “crackles” and “pops,” as the last of anything that can burn, burns out.
A rustling sound comes through the palm trees. Clamoring voices pass the burnt heaps as they head towards the shoreline. A black man’s face appears through a parting “fan palm tree.”
“They over here mun, they over here!”
Dozens of black faces appear; some racing to the people on the beach, and some kneel down and cover their face's with their thankful praying hands.
One native man cries out, “It’s a miracle!”
The crew slowly realizes who these men are. The large black man wearing the dagger stands in front of them. The rest of the black men open a trunk marked with a red cross and begin administering “first aid.” Not the large black man though.
“Who’s your captain?” he yells out!
Cap tries to stands out of the water, but his injured legs won't allow him. Instead, he fearlessly stares him sternly in the eyes. The fire of the night has rid the Cap of any possible fear towards anything living; no matter how menacing it is. For, he has stared death in the eyes and lived to tell about it.
Bravely he yells, “I'm the captain!”
The morning light cast a yellow glow over the approaching giant. He extends his long extensively scarred arm towards the Cap, offering his assistance upward. He suddenly realizes Cap has a problem standing. The Cap's heavy weight is no problem for the large man to lift. No sooner does he help Cap up, and then Unks punches his black face. Unks curses him as he
continues to attack him.
The dark man restrains Unks by holding him at arm’s length with one of his arm's. This distance is further than Unks can reach with his swinging fists.
Unks yells, “You helped kill my nephew!”
This fellow suddenly remembers who Unks is now.
“Is your nephew the men who wanted to dance with me?”
All heads turn towards the village to glimpse the source of a nearing babes crying. Out of the bushes stumbles a very large black man. Wrapped around his neck is a child. He looks like he just came out of the fire itself. His remaining clothes are black as him. He falls face down on the beach while letting go of the boy’s hands that were locked in his grasp around his neck.
The exhausted man struggles to rollover on his side, as the young soot covered boy screams out, “Poppa!”
The boy leaps off the fallen man and jumps into the arms of the very surprised large black man. The giant holds this little treasure while weeping with joy.
“I thought I lost you sonny. I thought I lost you!”
He sways back and forth as both cry in this embrace.
The young boy tells him, “That man laid on me when the burning hut fell down.”
The large man sets his son down and hurries to the injured man's side. He bends down to find a spot on him that is not burned, but there is little uninjured area to lift him.
As he looks further, the fallen man opens his white eyes and says, “Have you come to collect on your dance big fellow?”
The giant man begins to smile.
“I don’t know if you a blame fool or a hero. You save my son. I get you better. I
SWEAR!”
He commands several native men to come over by yelling, “NOW!”
A jeep suddenly drives onto the beach. Two men remove the straps securing a plank to the jeep’s front hood. The other natives surround Cass, looking for a place to grab him. It takes six men to roll him onto the plank, and seven to lift the plank on top the hood of the jeep. They hurry to strap him down as the large black man runs over to Unks.
Uncle Jared and the crew are unaware of Cass’ discovery. Unks' worn face has returned to the sand on the beach.
The giant man yanks Unks up while yelling, “You come now. You nephew need you!”
This surprise confusingly slaps Unks into immediate consciousness.
He grabs and shakes the black man, “What do you mean?”
The giant points to the jeep. The sudden change of events fills Unks face with new found tears. Joy runs down his cheeks seeing Cass is back from the dead.
Unks runs over to him, and then softly pats Cass’ cheek.
He whispers to his reviving giant, “You, you, you’re going to kill your Uncle Jared with worry.”
He quickly kisses his forehead before leaping into the back of the jeep.
The large black man squeezes alongside Unks before yelling to the driver, “Move out!”
The jeep circles around on the soft sand. The crew all stand after hearing Cass is alive. They begin “clapping” and “whistling” as the jeep finishes slowly turning around. Cass strains to lift his black face to see what all the commotion is about. He sees Cap standing sternly at attention, saluting his fallen comrade.
As they pull away, all the natives yell their prayer's and concern's towards the jeep. Cass
lowers his tired head and looks back towards Unks. He laughs to see him wearing black soot lipstick. Cass lays his head back down, smiles, and then passes out.
The crew of the “Virgin Queen” spends the rest of the day attending to the injured. One of the local men brings an eight man “lifeboat” to the crew. On its “port-side” bears the name, “The Prometheus.” It seems they stole the “lifeboat” from the ship ironically named after the Greek god who gave fire to man.
The Cap gives orders to load all the badly burned victims aboard the boat first. The Professor, Stymie, and Cowboy Dan are also part of the first trip to the ship. The Cap plans on turning the “mess galley” in to a temporary hospital so he can transport the survivors to the nearest medical clinic. Cap counts thirty three women and forty seven children injured serious enough to need immediate attention. It will take many trips back and forth to the ship before bring them all safely aboard.
All morning long the crew repeats the process of filing the “lifeboat.” The local men help by carefully carrying each crying victim, or assisting those only slightly injured.
Cap tells the crew that Cass is being brought to Dakar’s only hospital; which is about seventy miles from here. He also overhears the natives mumbling something about how the village was destroyed. It has to do with their boss storing munitions around the village. Some seem very angry. But, more seem scared of what will happen to them, since all the munitions were destroyed. Cap draws the conclusion: their boss might be in the business of selling weapons of war-much like he’s been doing. He scratches his head, pondering this eye-opening revelation, as he glances over the smoldering devastation where their village once stood.
Early afternoon, the “Virgin Queen” steams full out towards the port of Dakar. The ship
runs with a minimum crew. The rest of the men are dedicated to helping restrain the injured lying
in the “mess galley.” There are loud moans covering the entire ship. The sounds of the boilers
“belching” are the only sounds louder than their crying.
The “Virgin Queen” spins her propeller faster than this lady has ever seen it churn before. A black cloud of steam trails the sky behind as she burns her fire very rich. The word between the crew is the “Virgin Queen” has passed twenty knots.
At three fifteen, the ship reaches the docks at Dakar. A party of natives anxiously line up on the dock. They are in position, much like sprinters in a relay race, waiting for the injured to be passed on. Two dilapidated buses wait just off dock past the line of native men. Some of them are finishing tearing out benches from inside the buses, as others pile the broken seats out of the path of the soon arriving wounded.
The crew starts carrying the children off ship first. The natives meet them at the gangplank’s end. A line of wounded bodies forms on deck. They wait to be passed to those men dockside. Less than twenty minutes, each bus is fully loaded, and then chugs off to the hospital.
All the men sit exhausted. The crew returns to their positions on ship and begin looking over the worried black men. Everything is quiet in this moment of reflection. All the fear the crew felt towards this dark menace changes. They humbly gaze at several natives crying into their hands, impatiently rocking on wooden supply barrels sitting on dock. Their nervous tension weighs heavy on them.
Cap realizes these will be the longest hours; waiting for word on their loved ones condition. He orders Dan to fetch Stymie. Seconds later, Stymie arrives topside. The Cap calls the crew into his informative huddle. A minute later, the crew scatters, and then hurries below deck. It seems the Cap is going to serve the natives his own dish of compassion. Cap crosses the gangplank. He stops just short of dockside.
“Me and my men wish to offer our sincere condolences. We’d also like to offer you gentlemen some hot coffee with supper.”
A bewilder look comes over the natives faces, but his announcement is received and welcomed. The dock-hands slowly begin heading towards the Cap. Others help the grieving to their feet, and then lead them over the gangplank. Cap stands aside allowing them to pass. One burly fellow stops in front of Cap, and then muddles,
“Why you help us? We’ve been nothing but mean to you.”
The man’s eyes fill with his restrained tears eagerly waiting for the Cap’s response.
Cap simply replies, “Because we can.”
These words confuse the man. He staggers below deck thinking about these words, as his conscience wonders where this goodness comes from.
The crew’s compassion serves these destitute natives the rest of the long night. They not only share their sympathy, but their life’s story. This entertainment redirects their worried minds to follow the crew members through their adventures around the world. Much coffee is served throughout the night. No one gets any real sleep. By morning, the native fellows finish telling their less adventurous stories.
The crew learns these dock-hands are really no more than slaves to their ruthless greedy boss. They reveal how they are beat, or how their family members are tortured for their poor performance. The crew sees firsthand the results by their scarred skin. They now know why the natives acted the way they did. For, they follow a cruel taskmaster.
A loud steady “clomping” sound followed by sliding shoes on the metal floor of the hall
permeates the quiet “mess galley.” The half sleeping men are curiously revived as the sound draws nearer.
Cap enters the “galley” just ahead of the sound.
“May I introduce the darn fool who saved so many lives. This is Casanova; ships mate FIRSTCLASS, of the “Virgin Queen.”
Cass hobbles his way into view alongside the slowly “clapping” captain. He confusingly turns his gaze towards the Cap, and then smiles.
“Thanks for the promotion Cap.”
All the crew gradually stands amidst the rising intensity of their “clapping” hands. The native men follow in the festivities and honor Cass also. He bows his humble head in this overwhelming emotional situation that he has no way out of. He stands there on crutches-blushing.
Several of the crew comes to assist Cass, but this honor is only afforded to his proud Uncle Jared; hiding just in the shadow of his nephew. This is Unks well deserved reward.
The inquisitive natives disparately desire to know the condition of their family members. They ask Cass about certain individual’s by name as he journey over to a bench.
Cass tells them, “How about if I let my friend Larko tell you.”
The large black man enters the “mess galley” carrying a “clipboard” full of information. Cass’ introduction has not gone unnoticed.
Larko straight away looks firmly into Cass’ eyes while telling all his men,
“Before I tell you about your family members, you will for now and ever remember the faces of these men whom saved your family. You will always respect these men and the name of Cass!”
The “mess galley” abruptly changes ambiance; from a combination eating establishment and assembly hall into a court of law and reverent cathedral. Every native slowly and quietly nods their sincere head up and down. All these men affirm their oath; as some accept Cass’ honored position as deity.
The next few days, the “Virgin Queen” becomes a hotel and headquarters for the returning family members. Each of the crew gets to know all the dock-hands name's and family member's. Each family adopts a crew member by sharing their child’s affection. The natives sit their children on crew member's laps while formally introducing their new adopted family member.
Returning women show their affection by giving the crew spiritual trinkets they made while waiting for news on their children. Each is supposed to hold special powers of blessing and protection. Some of the crew welcomes these superstitious idols as really having the power suggested. Stymie makes a necklace out of his. Most decided to cherish these idols as a souvenir on their heroic's. Cap orders his mounted above the “wheelhouse” door. No one really knows which type of belief he follows; superstition or souvenir. It may be a little of both.
Cass is ordered by the Cap to nurse his wounds the next several weeks. He received minor burns over most of his body. He only received severe burns on his back and legs. These burns seem amazingly small though.
The doctor told Unks he doesn’t know how his nephew came out alive. The amount of devastation to his clothing should definitely have killed Cass. Unks told the doctor how Cass was soaked from his long swim. The doctor explained how that
may have helped, but the intense heat would have quickly devoured that protection.
The doctor is quoted as saying, “Angel’s, or God himself, had to have divinely protected
Cass. Even his belt buckle melted. But, he hardly got burned.”
Unks decides to accept the doctor’s miraculous findings as Angelic intervention.
At the end of the week, Cap pulls anchor. The crew sadly waves goodbye to their new
adopted families. They watch as bandaged children run alongside the retreating ship, shouting their farewells to their new family members. The Cap lays on the ship’s horn, sending his parting gesture. The “Virgin Queen” departs with a sendoff reserved only for dignitaries. Native women toss rings of flowers on the water, which is supposed to alert their gods' to supernaturally protect the ship along its journey. The crew makes their way to the “stern” of the ship while waving their last farewells. Cass and Unks stroll towards the crew while staring at the diminishing dock. Larko holds the tiny waving Pella on his shoulders.
Cass yells, “I never got that dance you promised!”
Larko laughs and returns his welcomed insult.
“You take lessons honey while you’re away, and I buy a pretty dress to wear!”
Both men hold this moment in their large hearts. Both become brothers for life.
The Dakar harbor turns into a faint dot before the crew head back to work. This is the first time in remembrance that the Cap has allowed the crew so much time in their dereliction of duty. Unks and Cass spend one more moment gazing before attending to business.
Unks says, “I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait to come back to Dakar.”
Cass turns his gaze towards Unks and just smiles.
“Dakar is not so dark anymore.”