CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Soyo on the southern side of the Congo River mouth on the Angola side was not a large port but was nearly impregnable unless attacked from the sea. Fortifications were superficial and little work had been done to them since their last visit as the site had no military significance, with only a small belt of land adjacent with the coast to the south free of tidal swamp land in which to move armies in or out. All traffic to inland western Congo was along the river. Fial noted during his last visit that to effectively take and contain the port you would need a small navy and Fial just happened to have one.
Slaves from the port factory were well sought after as they were better nourished than desert dwellers from the rich proteins of the river, forest and swamps. Fial had hatched a plan using Bongo and One to Ten to turn the powerful warrior natives in the slave factories loose on their captors. Patrolling warships in the region had all avoided contact, turning and fleeing once identifying the fleet no matter what genre they were. They would carry news of the fleet's location with them. Fial figured he had two weeks’ grace before any moves, if any at all, were taken to contain him.
It was early in the morning on a fine May day in 1880 that the fleet was in view of Soyo. The crew of the Ghost gathered at the bow looking toward the approching land mass and Bongo and his troop were full of excitement. McGee and Cameron stood either side of Fial. "Do you think they'll put up a fight?" asked McGee.
"No they’re aware of our ability from our last visit," replied Fial.
"We can easily take the port – we lay it to waste with the Conquistador, Castela, Mercury and Invincible. It would be a deserted ruin. We could walk in," added Cameron.
"Indeed, from where would we get our stocks of powder shoot and food? Look at the ships around here, all merchant men. They come and go every day with a supply of whatever is needed. If we destroy the reason they come they will go elsewhere and it’ll take ages to get them back."
"How, they only seem to understand the use of a bigger sword than theirs," added McGee.
"Aye," said Fial. "The Ghost was once a dagger but now is the tip of a mighty sword. Whoever controls this place is used to negotiating with those from many lands; we have that from our last visit. If they see a bigger sword they will need to have it on their side or it may take their head. With us in port with them they can take the ports north and south of here and expand their income."
"But we came here to free Bongo’s people and educate them," questioned McGee.
"Indeed, we just don't tell them that just yet. We must gain control in a few days before any news of us here reaches England or France. They will treat us like pirates as we enter port so we will act like pirates. They don't know we are coming and they sure as hell don't know what we are up to. We negotiate on what's in it for us and say nothing of our plans."
"There may be British or Portuguese warships here, what will we do then?" asked McGee.
"Send them home," replied Fial.
"What if they won’t go home and want to fight?" asked Cameron.
"What would you do as captain of a small fleet here? Take on the Ghost and the Conquistador or go home? The British are empire builders, they can't build empires without ships or men to sail them," replied Fial.
"I would follow you into battle against the entire British navy," said McGee.
Fial smiled and put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. "And what if we did beat them? It would then be the French or the Dutch. Then India, Persia, we would run out of sons and daughters. We need to negotiate with neighbours. They may not be our friends but they can be our allies. If I was to waste this fleet my son and your son and their sons will suffer. A story in a tavern bar of bravery and heroism bears no weight in the corridors of Westminster. I do not wish to be just another William Wallace or Napoleon Bonaparte who I feel will fall because he uses his people with stupidity." "We've worked hard and risked our lives for this Fial. We have a chance to get our own land. We know we can take this place. We have held it ransom before and won," replied Cameron.
"Remember the Ricard brothers joined us here on our last visit. We found some common ground when we talked to them. We have our own land, Ireland. It will be our sons who have it given back. We have our sword, sheath it, then use it wisely or its edge will lose its cut. Raise the Irish ensign for all to see that we have not come alone. We'll soon see if our Portuguese allies stand with us. Somewhere amongst them someone won't like what's going on; we just need to find them."
"I'm wondering what's going on Fial, are we taking this place or not?" asked McGee.
"Yes."
"We'll be shooting at them then straight away?"
"No, we may not be shooting at them at all."
"Then why have we loaded all our guns?"
"Have you not listened Hainan? A loaded gun may be enough; we have already fired a gun here."
"Since when have you not gone in somewhere and shot someone to make a point?"
"Tyrants and the enemies I remember shooting but others I can't."
"I have trouble telling them apart so I just shoot them anyway."
Fial put his arm around McGee and shook him affectionately. "Well today we'll be learning something new. Don't shoot anyone unless they would be shooting us."
"Right. I like the sound of it and I'll give it a try. I have my doubts, mind."
At the mouth of the Congo River the port of Soyo is in a cove on the Angola side. The fleet dropped anchor on the edge where the shallow water meets the deep, just sheltered from the direct sea by the northernmost tip of a skinny peninsula. The Ghost dropped anchor adjacent to the port dock bustling with merchants and next to a Portuguese warship looking the worse for wear under repair. A British frigate was also anchored in the port, the Maidstone. Without provocation or warning she put to sail and left, heading north.
Fial took a longboat to shore with Bongo, Cameron and Belgarde. They eventually found the Portuguese official in charge of the town and gained an audience. At times communication was difficult but Belgarde could understand enough to get by. Bongo spoke with the black officials of the Kings of Dahomy, suppliers of slaves to the factory. They became agitated on learning that Bongo was of BaKongo royal descent, having returned and walking around armed to the teeth.
Since their last visit to Soyo a great deal of political ground had been gained and Fial was given immediate audience with the Portuguese consulate. It was not the same person they had dealt with on their last visit; he had been infected by disease and passed away. The new consulate was familiar with McMurrin and his fleet and had a direct line of authority from the House of Braganza – Portugal’s ruling elite. He was also aware of the escort of the Evelyn from Soyo to Lisbon by the fleet assisting in its voyage to the safety of Brazil. Pascoal Amelio Sanchez spoke English well with a broad Spanish-flavoured accent. He greeted Fial upon receiving his party in his humble residence close to the harbour dock, shaking Fial's hand firmly.
"Señor McMurrin, I am surprised but honoured to have you visit. To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"It may or may not be a pleasure. I wish to base my fleet here to enforce the British law of slave transit," replied Fial.
"The church and the black ruling tribes here rely on the slave trade for their income. It would be difficult, if not impossible to impose this. The Kings of Dahomy and the church would fiercely protect their industry."
"Things are changing or I would not be here."
"We have had no information on your arrival or intent. We heard the British had suggested the coast of France to you."
"I take neither orders nor suggestions from the British Admiralty."
"The church here is wealthy and powerful with influence. They will not take to demands."
"With us here you can control the ports to the north and south."
Pascoal thought for a few seconds. "Mmm… Interesting."
"I will take any enemy ship in the area. You get half of the booty; I get the crews and slaves."
&n
bsp; "Half you say."
"Yes."
"We would lose our slave trade in a short time."
"It will be gone in a few years anyway. You will need to find other income to survive. I have seen the trade that passes through here from the Middle East, you have no idea of what is in the hold of ships that dock here. Some trade in wealth beyond your wildest dreams. In twenty years the slave trade will be no more than a trickle. The British dominate the sea in the wars, we could be the next power in the area protecting or decimating trade as we please."
"The British will turn their efforts on us."
"While we are sinking enemy ships we will be left alone. When the war ends we can adapt, we are allies not friends. I hear plans of ships with no sail made of steel that can withstand cannon or fire. These things will be upon us as surely as a black man can have his freedom."
"Should we disagree what is the alternative?"
"There is no alternative, you think I came all this way with a plan I thought up yesterday?"
Pascoal walked to the window overlooking the port to gain a three dimensional aspect of the situation. The view was ominous. "Can you give me an hour?"
"We will return in an hour and negotiate on how we will work. I will not tolerate interference from the church under the guise of the inquisition. Our last stop was Viana do Castelo, the church there accused me of being a heretic. The church should concentrate on spreading the Word of God. If they pose themselves as an army or navy then they will enter the realm of my fleet not the church. My fleet is a sword to strike at tyranny and enemies of my land. Should I need to make things clearer so be it, heretic or lunatic makes no difference to me."
Fial left, returning to the Ghost, and sent word to the fleet for certain talents to bolster their effort. They arrived in longboats and a short meeting bore fruit of a plan to instigate a coup. While the meeting was in progress with Pascoal Amelio Sanchez and his court the fortifications would be overrun and the slave factory infiltrated. The Conquistador, Mercury, Invincible and Castela would position themselves within range of the town. Six of the fleet would put to sail patrolling the river and port access from the sea. Any enemy ship of war would be attacked and enemy merchant ships would be held in port. Three frigates would anchor in the river just east of the town so any river traffic would have to pass beneath their guns. By the morning of the next day Fial wanted to be in control with the support of whoever backed him within local governing bodies.
Fial was late, an hour in fact. Sanchez had discussed the situation with his court of representatives from the African powers and the church. The preparations could be easily seen from the window of the meeting place as ships positioned themselves in the port confines. The small Portuguese garrison was empty. The soldiers originally posted there against their will for crimes against the church had flown into the surrounding swamp land. They would later integrate into the privateer fleet. The story of armed black members of the BaKongo tribe lead by a prince returned from exile spread through the superstitious members of the black African ruling Dahomy. Bongo and One to Ten knew just what to say to instigate panic among the voodoo priests. The court of Pascoal Amelio Sanchez agreed that if anyone could bring them more wealth than they already had regardless of the slave trade it would be McMurrin. The temptation of unheralded wealth won the day. One member of the clergy among the court prayed his thanks quietly for the coming deliverance of justice to the African slaves.
The meeting with the delegation of Soyo representatives was short. Fial presented gold, silver and precious stones from a French merchant ship unluckily tied up at the Soyo dock, demonstrating his word. This easily covered the cost plus a handsome profit greater than if the slaves have been sold to the French trader by the port slave factory. This saved the first load of slaves from leaving the port in effect Fial had bought and released them. All booty other than slaves would be allowed to leave port aboard accepted trading ships, British, Portuguese and American but French ships would be captured or sunk. Fial was given a place on the court with the Ricard brothers, Louis Zachariah and Lord Smithers. A meeting was arranged for the following morning including all involved.
Fial headed back to the Ghost, there was much to do: promotions for crew members to fill the holes left by the Ricard brothers, Zachariah and Smithers while they were on other duties and plans for the rules of engagement and enforcement of a blockade.
Cameron was puzzled and spoke to Fial as they rowed back to the Ghost. "Those fellas have plenty of money, they want more, more, more. Why? Some of them are clergy and all. I don't have much but it’s more than enough. I would gladly give it to someone worse off than me. I don't understand them."
"Some of them need it to feed the many, others to feed their greed. Either way we just took this place with a king's ransom and you didn't have to fire a shot. We will soon find the needy and the greedy," replied Fial.
"I can't wait to tell McGee this; he was insisting I should shoot someone."
"Well it will be coming from one who has seen it with his own eyes so he can’t be denying it, and I can back you up," added Fial.
"Aye, and it's the first time I've been winning a bet with him for months now. He bet I would be killing more than one before the day was over."
Fial laughed aloud. "The day is not over yet Ronan."