* * *
Two long hot slow days had passed. Just a skeleton crew was left to help resupply the Robin. Boxes of cargo were removed while new barrels and boxes were loaded in the cargo hold. The full crew was only seen once a day while they checked in. The Robin’s bell would ring loudly at noon and hung-over and sleepy sailors would slowly materialize on the dock. No returning sailor reported any sighting of Shamus yet. The captain was furious about the loss of so much income. The profits of the Robin’s cargo only covered for expenses of the trip. Gibbons made more gold from his servants than all the cargo he dragged with him across the ocean. The indentured servants were all profit to his war chest. The captain knew he was on a tight schedule and had to have the auction without the foul-mouthed Irishman.
The quartermaster now presented the newly well-dressed, clean and healthy looking men to the captain for inspection. The extra food rations had done well in restoring them from their past skeleton-like bodies. Mr. Mandrik reminded the four men standing before the captain, “Remember whats da cap’n say: no mention of prison or ya find yourself swimming back to England!” Mandrik then escorted the men to the gangplank and down to the dock.
Patrick, with his feet finally on steady land, felt punch drunk. He stumbled and staggered and tried to make it to the stairs. After finally earning his sea legs and adapting to the constant movement of life on the ship, he now found the solid earth disorienting as he adjusted back to land.
The four men and Mandrik climbed the long flight of stairs and crested the bluff. They passed through the palisades, staring at the town. Savannah welcomed them with a blast of oppressive heat and rancid smells. The high walls of the palisades stifled the ocean breeze. Patrick was taken aback. He had never felt heat like this. He could actually see the heat dance in the air and felt the sticky, wet haze soak his shirt. The heat was not the only welcome present Savannah gave to the men. Patrick swatted at the swarming insects that were biting his hands and face. It was bewildering. He could not see the insects but felt their incessant biting. The men were all swatting and scratching madly as they wandered into town.
Savannah was a town under occupation; the king’s military were everywhere. It seemed half the town was redcoats. This immediately made the four uneasy. In England, the king's army were feared and reviled. They followed and executed the king’s orders without mercy. They were no different than the violent gangs of bandits that roamed the streets of London, except they had nice, bright, uniforms and the government’s blessing. Patrick wondered if the military would still be just as terrifying in Savannah, so far from the king's iron grip of control.
The men started up the street and were immediately immersed in all the activity around them. It seemed most of the town was moving toward Market Square to watch the auction of the new arrivals. Patrick noticed the stark differences in the layout of this town compared to London. It had more of a military fort feel to it, especially the way it was designed. He was told Savannah was the colonies’ first planned city. The men turned a corner and smelled the livestock. They then passed the livery where travelers’ horses were being boarded. There were many black merchants selling goods from carts along the road. Once entering the square, Patrick immediately noticed all the business owners in the square were white. The men approached the livestock area where a large crowd had gathered. The four men were then led by Mandrik to a small wooden block and were instructed to wait.
The awkward Greek man started negotiating with the owner of the livery about the cost to display the men on stage. After a long session of haggling, a silver round was exchanged and both men smiled. Captain Gibbons seemed to materialize from nowhere and motioned to Mr. Mandrik to start the sale.
“Patrick, ya be up first. Get up dar,” the Greek said as he shoved him up onto the block. Patrick stood on stage and stared out nervously into the crowd. He was offended to be sold as a mule to the highest bidder and he grew indignant.
Captain Gibbons piped up in a loud, pompous voice, “You may now inspect this man before the auction starts!” A group of men shoved their way to the block and manhandled Patrick. They poked and prodded him; one man grabbed his mouth and examined his teeth like a common horse.
“What are you doing? I am no slave,” Patrick angrily protested and smacked his hand away. Mr. Mandrik became furious and then made a swimming motion to Patrick to remind him that he would be swimming back to England if he did not sell.
The buyers returned to their bidding positions and started conversing with each other. Meanwhile, Patrick spied a woman removed from the arguing men and trying to keep her distance. The woman had long, red hair flowing down her dress. Her pale face stood out of her worn red and black dress. She adorned a large red hat with a black lace ribbon tied on the backside and draping down her back. Red gloves, red shoes and a red parasol completed the outfit and protected her from Savannah’s merciless sun. Patrick had not seen a woman in almost eight years and was completely dumbfounded. He stood and outright gaped at her while the auction started.
Captain Gibbons began his sales pitch. “Patrick Willis worked for one of the finest jewelers in all of London. His metallurgic skills are unmatched and would be a wonderful addition to any craft that requires delicate handiwork. Mr. Willis also has performed very well as our ship’s carpenter and surgeon’s mate. He is lettered, numbered and ciphered. Remember, this is a seven-year term, so dig deep gentleman. I am opening the bidding at 10 pounds.”
Three men in the crowd tried to open with the bid and their fingers shot up. The bid rose fast as the three men started their bidding war.
“The bid is now twelve! Fourteen! Eighteen! Twenty and twenty-two!” Gibbons exclaimed.
A man wearing a leather bib and covered with black soot spoke to Patrick, “Can you make gunshot and nails quickly?" Patrick was completely oblivious to the events going on around him, he was only fixated on the red gloved lady.
Mr. Mandrik yelled at Patrick, “Lad, answer the man!”
“Ohhh yes, I have made shot before but not nails,” Patrick said hesitantly.
“Very good. Twenty-four,” the man in the bib chimed in.
“Twenty-five,” another man in the audience replied.
The man in the bib came back with “Twenty-five and a barrel of Carolina tobacco.”
A hush fell over the crowd.
“Last chance at Twenty-five and a barrel of Carolina tobacco. Going once, twice and sold upon agreement of the parties.” Gibbons clapped his hand smiling, “Sold!”
“Let's go over there and work out this contract,” the captain motioned.
Patrick was then escorted off the stage and shown the contract. “This is a voluntary contact so both parties need to agree. Look it over carefully and make sure you two meet on the level," Captain Gibbons stated.
"What are you known by, good sir?” Patrick asked.
“My name is Archibald Freeman and I am glad to know you,” he extended his filthy black hand to Patrick.
“Name’s Patrick Willis,” he responded and then shook Freeman's hand firmly.
“Good. Let’s take a look-see at this contract together,” Archibald proposed.
The Contract read:
This INDENTURE Witnesseth that Patrick Willis a Jeweler doth Voluntarily put himself Servant to Captain Gibbons of the Robin to serve the said Captain Gibbons and his Assigns, for and during the full Space, Time and Term of Seven Years from the first Day of the said Robin’s arrival in Savannah, during which Time or Term the said Master or his Assigns shall and will find and supply the said Patrick with sufficient Meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging and all other necessaries befitting such a Servant, and at the end and expiration of said Term, the said Patrick to be made Free, and receive according to the Custom of the Country. Provided nevertheless, and these Presents are on this Condition, that if the said Patrick shall pay the said Captain Gibbons or his Assigns 25 Pounds British and a barrel of
Tobacco in twenty one Days after his arrival he shall be Free, and the above Indenture and every Clause therein, absolutely Void and of no Effect. In Witness whereof the said Parties have hereunto interchangeably put their Hands and Seals the 21st Day of June in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Nine in the Presence of the these men.
Addendum
Captain Gibbons of the Robin assigns this agreement to Archibald Freeman of Savannah.
Signatures of
Patrick Willis of London
_______________________
Captain Gibbons of the Robin
_______________________
Archibald Freeman of Savannah
This document is lettered in triple.
Patrick snickered at the notion this was a voluntary contract, as if he had some sort of choice. He could voluntarily choose to say "no" and be cast out to sea or accept this one chance to eventually be free. He forced his heavy hand to sign the next seven years of his life away under duress. Mr. Freeman then handed a bag of money to the grinning Gibbons and arranged delivery of the tobacco. Both of the men, the captain and the blacksmith, then signed and sealed the deal in spittle.
They were then interrupted by the sounds Mr. Mandrik and Isaac arguing “Take ya little Jew hat off for da auction,” Mr. Mandrik barked angrily.
“I will not,” Isaac replied stoically.
“I will rip that errant hat from yar Jew head if you don’t!” the quartermaster threatened hotly.
Isaac stepped on the block and stated coolly to the captain, “I am ready to start. Open the bids.” The captain, annoyed with it all, just went along with Isaac’s notion and called for inspection, but no man approached. The crowd of buyers stepped back in silence.
Isaac on the auction block