The Old Cape House (4 page)

Inside the abandoned house, Maria spotted a shabby bed linen on the floor in the corner. She took it outside to shake it clean. Still not seeing Sam, she went back in the house and placed the bedding on top of a wooden frame near the back of the room. After adjusting her bodice, she went to look out the door once more to see if he was coming. Not seeing him, she positioned herself outside on the bench, beside the door where Sam was sitting the last time...and waited.

***

That same morning, Sam was waking up. He’d slept well even though his mind was clouded from the previous night’s ale. He was eager to see Maria to tell her about his meeting with Williams. He donned a loose shirt and hurried down the stairs to the main tavern where he saw Mr. Smith. Sam walked up to the sideboard and reached for a tankard of cider. “Good morrow! What a fine morning it is today.”

“It is, Mr. Bellamy. How fares your friend Williams? It seems that you two will be going on an adventure soon.” The tavern owner wiped the sidebar and questioned Sam again. “The word around here is ‘treasure’ and how much you two will find. What say you?”

“I can’t say for sure how much, Mr. Smith, but I believe the fates will be kind to us.”

Sam heard a loud voice coming from outside. He turned his
head and saw a well-dressed gentleman in the doorway with his cane raised in the air. He was angry and yelling at a dark rumpled figure near his feet. “I told you before not to be in my way when I enter!”

Just as the man was about to lower his stick, Sam jumped
between the two of them and caught the wooden rod before it hit its target. He wrestled the unsuspecting weapon away and shouted, “Is there a problem here that can’t be solved by talking?”

Remaining steadfast and separating the two, he blocked any more conflict. Within seconds, he saw the object of the man’s anger. An old drunkard was sprawled on the ground by the door of the tavern with his legs halfway onto the threshold. Sam turned back to the rude gentleman. “Have you no compassion for those who are so unfortunate in this world?”

 The man, clearly upset with Sam said, “I don’t intend to waste my time with such foul smelling humans. And who are you to tell me what to do?”

“I go by the name of Sam Bellamy.” Sam loosened his grip on the
man’s cane. “You must know that no human being is a waste of
time.” He remained guarded in case another hit would find its way toward the old man. “It seems that respect doesn’t come easy for you, sir.”

The man grabbed at his cane. “I’ve not heard of you, and I don’t care about you.” He seemed poised to strike but kept his stick at his side. “Let me pass!” With one long step, he abruptly rounded his victim, gave Sam a threatening look and entered the tavern.

Sam reached down. “Come old timer. Let me help you.”

He pulled the scruffy man up and sat him on a bench against the outside of the tavern. His smell of dirt and ale made Sam wince. His
clothes were pissburnt and torn. “Oh, you sad creature of God’s,
where do you live?”

The toothless grin mumbled a few words.

“I don’t understand you,” said Sam. He called into the tavern. “I say, Smith, do you know where he lives so I may take him home?”

“Up the hill and past two houses,” Mr. Smith called back.
“You’re a good man, Mr. Bellamy.”

Sam knew he was going to be late for Maria, but felt certain that
he would still be able to meet with her. “Let’s go,” he said and
helped his charge up by his elbow. “I’m sure you would be much better at home in your own bed.”

The old man was able to walk if Sam steadied him along the path. When they reached the house, the old timer was still muddled in his demeanor. Sam asked his name.

He slurred his words. “Hallett! And what name do you go by?”

The sound of Hallett surprised Sam. He hesitated. “Sam…Sam Bellamy.”

Once inside the tidy little house Sam saw no fire in the hearth, but noticed a woman’s touch about. “Where is your wife?”

“I ain’t got no wife, only a wretched daughter who never listens to me.” He landed hard on a chair by the table. “MARIA,” he yelled
out, “
MARIA HALLETT
! That girl is never around when you need
her.”

Shocked, Sam looked around. Here I am, he thought, in Maria’s house.

Hallett stumbled toward his bedroom. The door was latched and closed. It wouldn’t open. He began to curse.

Sam hurried over. “Mind your tongue and let me help you.”

Finally, the door opened and Hallett flung himself on top of the bed. Saliva sprayed from his lips as he said, “I’ll be fine. I thank you kind sir and....” his voice trailed off as he passed out.

Afraid that he might be late for his meeting with Maria, Sam
turned and bolted outside. He recognized a few familiar landmarks and recalled that she said one could get to the McKeon’s from behind her house and then through the pines.

Towards the back he spotted the pine grove and followed the narrow dirt way. He hurried along the path until he came to the crest of a hill where he saw Maria sitting on a bench. His heart began to race. His shirt billowed around his waist as he ran. He waved and called out, “MARIA!” The closer he came, the happier he felt.

Out of breath and grinning, Sam slid across the bench towards
Maria. She laughed at him. She noticed his blue eyes again; they
were
the same color as the crystal clear sky above their heads. His
unfastened shirt revealed a muscular chest that rose and fell with each of his deep breaths. She couldn’t stop looking at his strong body.

Sam teased her. “An old man crossed my path today.”

Maria looked at him with a quizzical expression.

“Does your father enjoy his drink?”

“Yes, on occasion. Why do you ask?”

“I think I met him this morning.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Evidently he’s not well liked by a certain wealthy tavern patron whose walking stick tried to teach him a lesson this morning.”

“My father was asleep in his bed when I left, I think you’re not correct about this matter. His bedroom door was closed.”

“Is it possible that the wind blew it shut? The poor man I saw in front of the tavern said his name was Hallett and he had a daughter named Maria. He also had some very unflattering words about you.”

“What are you trying to say?” Maria seemed agitated with his questions. She rose from the bench as if she would leave him.

Sam stood, took hold of her arm and placed his other hand
around her slim waist. “Don’t be angry with me. Don’t go. I was teasing you. I think that you must live with a great burden of taking care of your father. If the man I saw this morning is he, you must be an angel from heaven.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “My sweet Maria, I want to take you away from all this harshness.” He stood close to her, let go of her waist and cupped her delicate face in his hands. “Someone as beautiful as you should be surrounded by elegance and the finest of things. You deserve better, and to be loved by someone like me. Stay with me this day.”

He kissed her gently on the cheek, then lightly on the lips. Maria opened her mouth to speak but he kissed her again. She did not pull away; encircling her arms around him, she kissed him in return. He lifted her up and carried her into the house.

As he walked, he held her near his heart. His comforting arms felt secure to Maria; her body stirred and she shivered deep within. Her heart told her that she could trust him; he was sensitive and caring. It seemed dizzying to her but this man could be someone she might spend her life with. Her life with Father was so unbearable… something must be done. She would take a chance.

***

The spring sounds of tiny frogs from the nearby marshes woke Maria. Sam was sleeping next to her. She turned and leaned on her elbow, tracing his face with the back of her fingers. How handsome he was to her young eyes. She never realized a man could be strong and exciting and at the same time gentle and kind. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. She closed them with her fingertips, kissing him on each eyelid, then on the tip of his nose, and finally caressing his lips with hers. “Sam, I don’t want to leave you.”

“Then don’t. Stay with me longer.”

“Father will be wondering where I am.”

He leaned on his elbow and faced her. “I think I should officially meet your father. We could go now. What do you think?”

She lay back onto the rumpled bedding and thought about his question. “I think it’s a very good idea.”

He laughed and kissed her, “Your father is probably just getting out of his bed.”

Maria smiled and sealed her decision with another kiss.

April 1715

EASTHAM – CAPE COD

HANDS TOGETHER, THEY WALKED
and every step brought them closer in their feelings toward each other.

“Are you sure you want to meet my father today?”

“Why do you ask? I think it’s as good a time as ever.” He
stopped and reassured her with a quick kiss on the cheek.

His touch was soothing to her. She could not disagree with him. They saw the top of Hallett’s chimney as they went over the crest of
the hill. When they entered the pine grove, Maria began to feel
anxious about him meeting her father; she held Sam’s hand tighter.
“I shall
have to go next door to Matthew Ellis’s to borrow some starter for the
fire.”

 “Don’t worry; I’ll tend to the hearth.”

As they crossed the threshold of the house they heard no sound. The door of her father’s room was closed. Sam whispered, “I told you he would be sleeping it off.”

Maria grabbed a small covered pan for the starter and rushed out the door.

 “Be careful,” he called after her.

Sam went outside to bring logs in for the hearth and noticed that
the log pile was low. It’s still spring, he thought to himself, there
ought to be enough time for the old man to replenish the wood throughout the summer. Maria should be fine while he’s away at sea. But he still decided that he would leave money with Mr. Smith at the tavern just in case Maria needed anything.

Once back inside the house, Sam began to prepare the hearth. He leaned his head into the wide stone opening with his back to the door. The sound of dirt crunched behind him. He turned to see the end of a rifle pointing at his face.

“Stand slow, whoever you are,” the disheveled old man
commanded Sam.

As the rifle’s barrel followed his every movement, Sam stood straight with hands outstretched at his sides. He glared into the face of his attacker. “Hold on now, I’m not an intruder; I’m a friend. Are you not Hallett?”

“What’s that you say? Who are you?” Hallett wiped his dripping nose with a fast swipe of his hand.

“I’m Sam Bellamy. You don’t remember me?”

“I know no Sam Bellamy and I don’t think I want to.” He flicked the end of the rifle to show Sam where to move and ordered, “Get over to the other side of the room.”

“Take it easy, I know your daughter Maria. She’s gone to the Ellis’s to fetch some starter. Here she comes now.”

As Hallett turned to look, Sam lunged for the rifle, knocking him off balance. The rifle fell into Sam’s hand and the dazed father hit the floor. Sam yelled as he helped him up. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you remember who brought you home this morning?”

Hallett fell into a chair by the table. He squinted his eyes to see
who
stood before him. “Well, I recollect walking with someone this
morning, from the tavern, but I don’t remember anything else.” The confused old man looked around. “Where’s that Maria? Where is she?”

“Father!” Maria called out as she hurried into the house. “What’s
happening here?” She quickly deposited her starter into the hearth under the logs and turned to face him. “I pray that you’ve not caused a problem. I see your gun is in Sam’s hand. Can you explain
this to me?”

Her father said nothing. Angered, he rose from his chair,
knocking it over, and went outside.

Maria took the gun from Sam, placed it behind the open door and waited for an explanation.

“It seems that your father thought I was going to steal from
you.” Sam picked up the overturned chair. “As I was setting the hearth, he came upon me, so I took his weapon and he didn’t like it.”

“Oh Sam, his drinking brings me such sadness, I’m sorry and embarrassed for my father’s actions.” Maria failed to hold back her tears. They wet her face as she busied herself preparing something to eat for the three of them.

Sam took her hand and wiped her cheek. “I’ll go out and talk to him. Don’t worry yourself.”

“Wait,” Maria called after him. “Take some ale to him, and you have one too.” She passed Sam two tankards from the shelf on the wall, and as he held them, she filled them halfway.

“This will appease him for a while.”

Hallett didn’t move a muscle when Sam sat down next to him on the bench. He took the cup that was offered to him and drank, but still said nothing.

“If I may refresh your memory a little, Mr. Hallett? It seems that you had a bit too much to drink last night and encountered a very angry gentleman and his stick this morning. Any recollection, yet?”

“Possibly.” The old man looked at Sam a little closer now, “You do look familiar.” He scratched his unshaven chin, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

Sam took a drink of his ale and looked straight ahead. “Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. I have come to your house not for your company but for your daughter’s.”

“Wait a gall darned minute,” Hallett called out. “I know you. You’re that privateer who’s go’in to find treasure. What a bunch of hogwash all those rumors are about finding gold and such. You stay away from my daughter.”

Sam stood, towering over the old man. “I’m not what you think. I’m going on a salvaging expedition and you will not prevent me from seeing Maria....”