There were neither names nor other writing on the charts, which was no surprise, as they were being carried by Spaniards, who were for the most part illiterate during that period in history. There were crudely drawn sea creatures adorning the chart. Several looked like alligators and a few whales. One was a very good detailed drawing of a shark like the one Mike had seen.
The land appeared to have been explored only as far as the place where Mike had first seen the landmass. Probably the shallower water had caused the Spaniards to stop further exploration rather than risk grounding on a barely submerged reef. The charts detailed many bays and river mouths to the north and everything east appeared to be open water.
West showed as all land with no details entered, which led Mike to believe that the Spaniards had either not penetrated inland or didn’t find inland details needed for a coastal navigation chart. “It looks like I’ve found the new borders of North America,” mused Mike.
There were neither scales nor distances marked, so Mike had no reference for determining how much area the chart covered. There were seven more cities besides Tif’n marked along the coast, but none was marked with more than a building outline except for the center one. This had a house outline with a cross on top. Was this a church, or the Spaniards’ capitol? Possibly both, as the Spaniards were known to carry priests on their voyages and their lives were under the control of the Catholic Church.
Did you pass other cities as you sailed to ‘Acon?
Yes, we passed Corde’ about one day’s sail and Per’r a 1/2 day later.
That gave names to four cities and made the house with the cross ‘Acon. Now, once he knew what a day’s sailing time was for these boats, he’d have his map scale and an idea of how much area needed to be avoided if he wished to stay clear of the Spaniards. Sailing west along the south edge of the chart looked like a good escape route if needed, but how shallow did the water really get? Was he fortunate to have been in the deepest part or were there scattered shoals and submerged reefs that would damage even his steel hull? More questions without ready answers.
He made the decision that for good or evil, he needed to risk setting into the port at Tif’n to see what he could find out about his new world.
He realized that he hadn’t even considered being able to leave here to return to his own place, or time. Perhaps his subconscious had already decided that this was a one way trip, considering the many who had disappeared in the “Devil’s Triangle”, but none ever returning.
I wonder where the others are? pondered Mike. I could use some allies about now and the flight of WW II Avenger Torpedo Bombers that had disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle would really shake up the Spaniards. He wondered why a Spanish sailing ship circa 1500 ended up arriving here only months before his circa 2000 boat. Was it random chance or some set physical rules that governed when, where and how the transference occurred. Way too deep for me” thought Mike. I need a boat full of scientists with full test equipment to answer that one I guess.
After returning to the raised deck with the charts, Mike reached down and removed the belt complete with knife and sword scabbard from the dead conquistador. He picked up the fallen sword and put it back in its scabbard and hung the assembly on the rail. He next horsed the body overboard and watched it sink. The helmet followed the body into the sea. Picking up the sword harness, Mike stepped across the deck to his boat, released the lines and the two boats headed north under sail to Tif’n. Until he learned more, he didn’t trust his new found acquaintances sufficiently to allow any on board.
Chapter 7
Tif’n
The sun was close to setting as the two boats entered a gap in the hills. The gap opened into a natural harbor several hundred yards long and twice that wide with an entry channel about 50 yards wide. The cliffs remained smooth and unscaleable all the way into the edge of the harbor. There they were finally broken by what looked like man made excavation to make terraces for the buildings, roads and paths from the edge of the harbor to the top of the hill.
Keeping an eye on the depth finder, Mike was relieved to see that the center of the channel maintained a constant 25’ to 30’ below his keel. Almost straight in, the creator of the natural bay, a river, wound away into the distance. Nice location thought Mike fresh water, sheltered harbor and high ground for safe building above any possible flooding areas. To the right of the river mouth was the city that stretched from the river delta to the harbor mouth.
In the harbor, were several floating docks, parallel to and to the right of the river mouth. They appeared to be attached directly to low buildings about 100’ square sitting on stilts at the bay end and into the hill behind. This was obviously the warehouse district. Beyond rising up the hills were hundreds of small houses, inter spaced with larger buildings, which were probably shops.
Ringing the area a little below the crest of the northernmost hill was a walled complex of slightly larger, buildings. This had to be a government complex due to its size and over watching position above the “city”. Mike doubted if Tif’n had a population of more than a few thousand.
As people on the other boats and along the edge of the bay spotted his very different looking boat approaching, they dropped whatever they were doing and disappeared in the direction of the “Government” complex.
Along the docks were a half dozen boats of similar construction and coloring to Mike’s “prize”, but without the raised ballista fore deck. Mike assumed that these were either fishing or cargo boats. As his “prize” tied up to an empty dock away from the other boats, Mike maneuvered his boat to the empty side of the same dock. This way he had no boats between his and open waters.
If the need should arise for a hasty retreat, he didn’t want to risk being blocked. He toyed with the notion of backing in, but decided his engines could get him out into the middle of the harbor in reverse quickly and that backing would give him a better view of the shore and better fields of fire should the need arise.
After securing the boats to the mooring cleats, the two boats rocked quietly at the docks. There was no sound other than the creaking of the boats against the docks, the slapping of small waves and a few seabirds calling from overhead. The few sailors, who had dropped to the dock to tie up Mike’s “prize”, stood quietly beside their boat looking expectantly up the hill in the direction of the “Government Center”.
Then from the “Government Center” came the sound of a large bell tolling five times. Then several smaller bells and the shuffle of many feet, the creaking of harness and the snorting of some animals. Out from the gate of the “government center” came a procession of two wheeled carts being pulled by some sort of animal that looked much like a pig. Then came a long column of people in various brightly colored clothing, led by a man holding a staff topped by a cross.
The carts appeared to be of some sort of bamboo, woven so that it resembled raton furniture from his own time. The carts were painted with bright stripes of red, blue and yellow, with large wooden spoked wheels of sky blue. Most appeared to be flatbed style cargo carts, but the first two were obviously carriages. They each had a large and very padded looking seat in the center of the cart.
All were controlled by handlers walking in front of the carts, between the “pigs” that weren’t quite pigs, holding what appeared to be reins. Each rein went to a ring on each ear of the animals. It looked like pulling the left ear of each beast to pull the animal left and pulling right to turn the animal right could maintain control. Pulling both would be the stop command if standard rein control had carried over through the centuries. As they got closer, Mike realized why his first thought of “pig” hadn’t felt quite right. He had thought that the “pigs” were draped with various subdued colors of blankets. He now saw that the animals actually had long shaggy coats. They looked like a cross between a giant guinea pig and a real pig.
Leading the procession as it approached the docks were four people of obvious importance. Three wore the same silver and
burgundy as Allas and one wore gold and black. The single person in gold and black carried the staff topped with a cross. Probably the local version of a priest. The animal handlers wore red and yellow and a few dozen more marched behind dressed the same as the boat crew. All appeared to be adult males in the “normal” 3’ height range. Must keep the women and children hidden when they can, thought Mikeor I’m uglier and scarier than I thought.
The procession halted at the end of the pier and waited quietly, but at a formal position of attention. Caution had to supersede friendliness, so Mike strapped on a belt holding his .357 magnum and stuck a couple of speed loaders in his pocket. Donning a bandolier that held a dozen extra Sten magazines across his chest, Mike positioned his Sten slung muzzle down, but in a position where it could be brought into use immediately. As an afterthought, he strapped the Spanish sword belt on as well. That should be evidence that the Spaniards were no longer in control.
Chapter 8
Surprise, surprise!!
As Mike stepped to the dock, a gasp arose from the throng, but none moved. They stared at the heavily armed “giant” on the pier, dressed in a desert cammo BDU shirt, boonie hat, shorts and sneakers. He saw that several looked back and forth between the 2 boats obviously wondering about the missing Spaniards.
Mike strode to the other boat and told Allas to have the entire crew remain on the boat, but for Allas to accompany Mike. One of the freed peonies in a very respectful, but straight forward voice requested that he and his crew mates be allowed to be Mike’s “retinue”, as they owed their very lives to him and would be his servants for life. Many of the other peonies looked at Mike and all were nodding agreement. Mike decided that a show of support for him couldn’t hurt and he could always run through his “supporters” if they proved false and he needed to get back to his boat in a hurry.
What is your name sir? Mike asked of the speaker.
I am called Marcel, deus, responded the man with the same tone of respect, mixed with his own self-confidence.
Well Marcel I would be proud to have you and your fellows accompany me, but please don’t call me deus. I am Mike to my friends.
Marcel’s face cracked a smile for just a second before he regained his composure. Thank you De-er Mike. We will be your servants and your friends. When all were ashore, Mike walked towards the reception committee followed by Allas and a dozen or so of the ex slaves.
As he neared the shore, the reception committee threw themselves to the ground and Mike resisted the urge to swing his Sten in firing position. He couldn’t let the “locals” see how nervous he was, but he scanned the area for possible ambush as he strode forward without breaking his stride.
He stopped in front of the well-dressed members of the reception committee and the crew stopped behind him in several ranks. Who’s in charge here? he asked. He could see numerous glances in his direction by members of the crowd, who quickly returned to their intense studying of the ground. The three dressed the same as Allas glanced at him and then at the “priest”, before also returning their stares to the ground. Mike took a step towards the cross-tipped staff bearer, who had managed to prostrate himself while still keeping the staff upright.
Mike lifted him to his feet as he had done to Allas upon their first meeting. He had to hold the man upright, but was impressed that the obviously terrified man never lost his grip on the staff and never let it waver from its straight up position. Over his shoulder Mike called Allas to stand beside him and told him to relate the circumstances of his arrival to all.
Allas immediately began a very lengthy and much embellished account of the strength and courage of Mike, his defeat of the Spaniards and capture of the boatload of sailors. Mike interrupted Allas, as it appeared that his enthusiasm was getting the better of him and Mike was starting to feel embarrassed by the tale. Just the facts please Allas. We don’t want to be here all day. Allas took a deep breath, having decided that his new benefactor should be obeyed, but not feared. He then gave the “short” version, ending in 10 minutes rather than the hour he had intended.
Mike looked around at the faces that peered from the ground and from every nook and cranny of the warehouses. All were staring with wide eyes. I am not like the others who were here, he said. I will not hurt anyone who does not try to hurt me first. I am not a deus. I am a man just like you, except larger. I do not want to be your deus. I would rather be your friend. Please everyone stand and those in hiding come out. Have no fear. You can ask those with me. They will tell you that I have not harmed any of them. I have even released those who were in chains. No one should be treated like an animal.
To this last came a cheer from within the closest warehouse. Mike looked at the building and when Allas confirmed that it contained pens filled with peonies, Mike ordered the pens opened so that those within could come out into the light. There will no longer be peonies, he said. 30 to 40 men wearing smiles slowly emerged from the warehouse.
Are there more in the other buildings? he asked. Yes, said Allas. Well? sighed Mike, to which some of his crew ran enthusiastically from their position behind him into the other warehouses. Shortly they returned to their positions in the ranks behind him and several hundred released peonies lined the dock area.
Mike made his next announcement loud enough that many dropped back to the ground in terror and then after looking around got sheepishly back to their feet. The deus who were your masters are dead. Mike said in his best command voice. No longer must you be slaves to them or each other. Be free everyone and don’t fear. Mike knew he was setting himself up as protector to these people and had no idea what he could do if hundreds of conquistadors suddenly arrived in an armed galleon. He knew he needed friends and help in this new land or his own survival wouldn’t be possible.
The wheels were already spinning in his military trained brain as he looked at the easily defended harbor entrance and the hills that surrounded the entire harbor and town. I need to get to some high ground fairly quickly to see the land on the other side of the hills. The river mouth looked very swampy and would make for very slow, difficult passage by armored men and probably impossible for cannon movement. There was the chance that boats could come down the river and if the hills opened to easy travel from the flatlands, this city would be in a bowl and would become certain death to the residents if an overland attack came. Ah the military mind. thought Mike. Making friends and planning for war at the same time.
Thinking how melodramatic and ludicrous this would sound to someone from his own time, Mike said Take me to your leader to the priest. The priest bowed low and gestured for Mike to enter one of the carriages, but Mike said, No thank you, I’d rather walk. If you’d be so kind as to lead the way please, ah? What is your name?
I am Erman, deus, answered the priest.
I am Mike, said Mike. No deus, simply Mike, Erman.
Yes Mike. replied the priest.
What do you do here Erman?
I am the hermano here. I make the prayers for the deus and insure that all follow the ways of the iglesia as ordered by the padre in ‘Acon.
Have you had to report anyone to the padre for not following his ways? asked Mike in an attempt to see if this was perhaps someone who had become as zealous and cruel in the adherence to catholic doctrine as the Spanish priests.
I always report to the padre that all here obey his teachings without exception, responded Erman.
And do they? asked Mike while looking directly into Erman’s eyes for any indications that he wasn’t being truthful.
Of course, Mikesaid Erman. Mike was happily surprised when Erman winked and smiled for a second before regaining his serious face.
Oh Erman, don’t you know it is a sin to lie to the padre? said Mike as he returned the wink and smile. Erman once again surprised Mike when he suggested numerous things that the padre could do to himself that Mike knew would be anatomically impossible. I like you Erman. You’re my kind of person, said Mike with a new found level of respect for t
hese spunky people.
Chapter 9
My new home?
Erman set off in the direction of the large buildings, followed by Mike, with Allas to his left and Marcel right behind. Marcel split his attention between watching Mike and every building and person they passed. Mike could have sworn he had seen that same intensity in news footage of Secret Service Agents when they were protecting the president.
A glance over his shoulder showed that a dozen of the other crewmen were walking shoulder to shoulder and maintaining a diminutive, but solid wall between Mike and the carts and following crowd. Mike was impressed with his “bodyguard” and gave a small nod to Marcel and his cohort. They all straightened a bit as they realized that Mike understood and appreciated what they were doing.
It took the better part of 15 minutes to reach the main gate of the government center mostly due to the short steps of his escort. The good news was that the slow pace allowed Mike to study the buildings and layout of the town as they passed through. All of the buildings appeared to be single story, made completely of what looked like the plastic coated cardboard used in his own time for the shipping envelopes used by companies like Fed Ex.
There were no obvious seams in the buildings. They appeared to be one solid piece of “cardboard, cast with all walls and roofs as one solid unit. Mike decided that they needed a closer inspection when time allowed. All appeared to be of multiple rooms with clear glass quality windows and open doorways. In several windows and a doorway, Mike caught glimpses of very tiny people.
The prominent building color was a light tan with bright trim work consisting of stripes and swirls in every imaginable color and a few that he thought might not be recognized. All were in perfect scale for the “locals” with 4’ doorways and about 7’ flat rooflines. The average house looked to have 4 to 6 rooms and was about 30’ square. They appeared to be connected together in solid blocks of 6 to 8 units in flat terraces with walkways about 5’ wide, running along the face of the hill, on a level with the roof of the next lower level.