FICTION: The House, part 8: The Conclusion – part 1

This story is completely fictional. Any resemblances to names of people and/or places is purely coincidental.

by Peg Pellerin

Click here for the previous installment.

A couple days went by to rest up from the ‘adventures’ as well as to go into town for some fun and grocery shopping. “Two more rooms to go through and hopefully we can be rid of Ian,” exclaimed Jake.

“If it wasn’t for these wild events we go through every time we find something of his, I wouldn’t mind him being around, but I don’t know how much more of this I can take,” agreed Miri.

“Not only that,” said Dave, “I’m behind in getting this place up to speed for the B&B.

“I’m not worried about that Dave,” stated Jake. “Miri and I talked about it and if we have to wait another six months to a year to get it running, so be it. I’ve been able to locate some folks who are interested in purchasing some of the antiques we have here and that should help with expenses for a little while, plus we’re both still working. But it would be nice to start having a somewhat normal life again. Are we ready for room number five?” All hesitantly nodded.

The item was found quickly. A thin dark leather box was found in one of the bureaus. It contained a spyglass made of brass and leather and it didn’t take long for the room to start spinning and all found themselves on a cutter out in the middle of the ocean. “Oh, boy! Exclaimed Dave who was holding the spyglass, what next pirates?”

“Dave,” shouted Amy, “Be careful what you’re thinking and saying! Remember, these events seem to go along with what we’re thinking.”

“I remember reading about these cutters. They were built back in the late 1700s when the Navy was disbanded. They were first used to intercept slave ships illegally importing slaves into the United States. Later they were used to board other vessels to make sure that the proper tax was paid on the cargo that was being exported. This didn’t always go well between the captains of the cutters or the vessels they boarded. In between, they also protected United States waters from pirates. Later on they became the Coast Guard and they still use the term cutter for their vessels. This two-masted one is a beauty,” said Jake as he admiringly looked around him.

“Thanks for the history lesson, Jake, but what is this one being used for?” asked Miri.

“Not sure yet because I don’t see anything to indicate what the time frame is,” Jake replied.

He no sooner said that when blurred figures moved about. Several were wearing dark blue jackets with five buttons. Under the jackets they wore white frocks and blue trousers. One individual was seen to apparently be giving orders. He was dressed in a dark gray cloth coat with nine buttons and sporting two epaulets. “This time period must be in the early 1830s. The gentleman with several buttons on his coat and the two epaulets would be the captain. The others are lower ranks, or seamen.”

They continued to watch the foggy vision before them wondering what was going to happen. One of the seamen pointed out toward the ocean. The captain pulled out a spyglass, stretching it to its fullest length to look at what the seamen was designating. The foursome turned toward the direction where the captain was looking. They saw another sailing vessel, more aptly called, a schooner, which appeared to attempt to keep a distance away from the cutter. The captain apparently ordered the cutter to head off the schooner, most likely boarded with pirates.

“I’m not liking the look of this. I hope we won’t be involved in a sea battle,” worried Dave. “Granted none of us have been injured other than us being scared out of our wits, but I don’t want anything serious going on here.” The trio agreed and huddled next to each other next to what would be considered the bulkhead to the bridge.

Continued next week

 
 

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