Port Ducking

Chapter 27: Port Ducking

Nathaniel rode into town in pursuit of Priscilla. He stopped at inn near the river to tie up Thunder and was making his way to one of the many quays when he spotted Francis and ran towards him.

“Sir Nathaniel” he said somewhat bewilderedly “What are you doing here?”

“Priscilla has esca … left home.”

“What!”

“Abigail told me she hid in the back of your cart.”

“Impossible. We put things in there.” explained the disbelieving trader.

“Well she’s gone and Abigail was not lying. I’d stake my life on it.” affirmed the doctor.

“She definitely wasn’t in it when we arrived in Whitby, sir. Thinking back there was a noise just as we were on the edge of town but I just thought it was some goods shifting.”

“I’ll go and fetch Fanny. I think it best if you check the shops and I’ll find you.”

Francis dropped his goods off at the inn the siblings were staying at and hurried to where his sister said she would be, although he had thought she would have returned to him by now. The landlord, who knew them both, told him he had seen Fanny leave with a sailor, who he believed to be Turkish. It did not take him long to find the ship. When he tried to board burly sailors blocked has path telling him they were respectable traders in very broken English. This soon led to blows with Francis knocking a couple of them over before he was pushed into the river.

Plans were quickly made for the ship to leave with some of the sailors being dragged away from prostitutes in mid-coitus. Francis swam to find the quickest way to shore. By the time he had been helped out, capstans were being used to turn the ship around. When he tried to interfere with the operation, the quay workers refused to listen to his pleas and he found himself restrained with his suppressors refusing to listen to him. He broke free and sought out Nathaniel who came running with him just as the last rope was released.

Luckily for the kidnappers the wind was favourable and the drawbridge was already up so they reached the harbour exit shortly after the 2 men’s epic run. Their pursuers were on the north side of the river but the harbour master’s office was on the south so there was no possibility of stopping the ship as it hit the ocean.

Almost brought to tears, Francis and a consoling Nathaniel went back to look for Priscilla and to hope that they were mistaken about Fanny’s fate. Back on the quayside a vagrant volunteered some information.

“I heard a scream but I didn’t think anything of it. I never saw her come off though and neither did that lady.”

“What lady?” pushed Nathaniel.

“Dark thin girl with a pretty dress. She went on board with the captain.”

“Are you absolutely certain?” interrogated the doctor, as he shook the poor man “Describe the dress?”

After the tramp finished his reply, Nathaniel collapsed, his world destroyed.

Leaving the quay where he yelled at almost everyone who met his gaze, Sir Nathaniel went with Francis to see the harbour master, who informed him that Istanbul was the registered origin of the offending vessel. That night the two men, who suddenly felt a strong bond, drowned their sorrows and discussed their next move.