What Doesn't Kill Us--A McKenzie Novel by David Housewright (best books for 7th graders TXT) 📕

watching the pair of ships as they approached and enveloped the Gazelle. One of them drew near on the starboard rail and grapple lines were thrown over. With a few minutes the heaving sailors had drawn the ships close enough to drop a gangplank across. A filthy skinny man in ragged pants with no shoes or shirt scurried across, dropping onto the deck in front of the gathered occupants aboard the Gazelle. His wide grin revealed crooked and rotten teeth as he leveled a set of pistols into the crowd of sailors and Africans. Behind him a tall broad-shouldered older man strode across the gangplank with a swagger, he too held a pistol in each hand though this man maintained the muzzles skyward. LeMeux noted authority with this larger man, his beard and thick side chops were streaked with shades of gray and he nodded direction to several of the men following behind him, they reacted promptly.

“My name is Chibs and I am the first mate aboard the Drowned Maiden!” the man shouted out over the crowd on deck. “We are claiming this tub for our fleet and any crewman who wishes to defy this may meet me with steel in hand!” He looked around seeing the group of Africans huddled together on deck and a puzzled look crossed his face.

“Where be your Captain?” Chibs growled.

“The Captain of this vessel is dead.” LeMeux called across in response.

“And who be you?” Chibs shot back.

“I am a Doctor, the reluctant doctor of the ship on which you stand. You should know you are boarding a vessel occupied only by captured slaves and men pressed against their will. There is little aboard for you to take,” said LeMeux. Chibs seemed slightly taken aback, unsure of his next action. It was precarious, just a few of them had crossed onto the Gazelle and there was a crowd of Africans all around him. The possibility of an elaborate ruse by a ship of the East India Company still lingered in his mind. Behind him, Captain James and Lilith fanned out against the crowd, sword and pistols in hand. Lilith’s hands became unsteady as she took in the sight of the Africans, her eyes choking back a welling of tears. Everywhere she looked, she could see her mother.

“Captain, we’ll sweep below decks and sort this matter now. I’ve a feeling the good doctor here is telling his tale true, but let’s be sure.” said Chibs, his eyes unshifting from the Africans gathered around them.

“Aye Chib. Do that. Lilith, go with him.” James replied.

“Aye Captain,” said Lilith.

The pair made their way to the weather hatch through the crowd, the Africans parted to make way for the armed duo as they moved. Lilith looked over all the faces, her gaze stopping at a woman with a young girl by her side. Her eyes held a defiant glare, the look of a mother lion guarding her cubs. On the other side of the young girl under the woman’s arm, Lilith caught the wide-eyed look of a young man leaning on a wooden board next to an empty pant leg. His eyes belied something else entirely, a look not unlike a few she had received from James in fact. Lilith felt her face flush slightly and they continued past, going below deck. The instant they entered the belly of the ship both Lilith and Chibs were assaulted by the same horrifying odor they experienced from the Shepherd. Remaining below deck became a severe challenge and the two searched through the compartments and cabins in a methodical sweep toward the bow as their stomachs churned from the stench. The cells were plain enough evidence, this ship was a slave hauler. The gun deck housed six cannons on each side, twelve pounders each appearing to be in worse condition than the one before it as they looked through.

“It’s been a spell since they’ve seen any use of these Lilith, likely they’ve had escort ships along with them,” said Chibs in his customary sailor’s growl.

“This is wretched Chib, worse than the Shepherd was…” Lilith gasped, choking back gags as she spoke.

“My guess is she’s been at sea quite some while lady. Africa is a month-long journey or better,” he replied. “The conditions these poor souls endure…” his voice trailed off as his eyes led across the gun deck toward a cabin at the bow. “That’s odd.”

“What?” Lilith asked following.

“This compartment up here. Maybe it’s an extra magazine or some such, it’s just strange they would have it in the bow,” answered Chibs as he trudged his way up the deck towards the compartment door, Lilith close behind. As they drew near a lock came into view barring the latch closed. Looking around Chibs grumbled something about shot and stepped over to the gun nearest the door. He hefted one of the twelve-pound balls that lay in a wooden crate next to the gun carriage and returned to the door. With a swift strike down wards, Chibs broke the lock under impact from the heavy cannon shot. Unceremoniously he tossed the shot to the deck with a heavy thud and removed the lock as the cannon ball rolled away. Inside the compartment as Chibs opened the door, Lilith peered into the dark compartment. There was no light except for that coming in from the lantern Lilith held. She could see gleaming chains hanging on the walls, shackles, whips. Suddenly Lilith was struck with a panicking urge, she could feel it like a lightning bolt through her legs and up her back, she wanted to run to flee these awful instruments and never lay her gaze on any like it. Chibs grumbled, something about killing the miserable sods who used these on people and Lilith felt her courage return. Her gaze fell to the floor of the compartment, where Chibs stood.

“I would bet that James will want to toss this shit overboard, but girly, I think we might keep it. It could be useful for