Brigid's Gift

[ozfille]

Rating: R-ish, not particularly explicit

Title: Brigid’s Gift

Characters: Stephen Maturin, Jack Aubrey, Brigid Maturin, Killick, Amos Jacob, Mr Wells, Mr Reade

Disclaimer: They belong to Patrick O'Brian, I'm just borrowing them for a while.


Brigid’s Gift - Part 1

Stephen was standing on the quarter deck of the Implacable beside Jack, both of them focussing on a ship rounding the headland to enter False Bay at Simon’s Town.

“Yes, it’s the Ringle Stephen. She will be along side in half an hour. Has Killick set up her hammock in the larboard cabin yet?”

“I believe he was doing so after tidying up after breakfast. I knew he would fall into a frenzy of scouring and scrubbing when the signalling tower relayed the message that the Ringle had been sighted from Cape Town. It will be spotless and in typical naval fashion a perfect example of sterile naval neatness by the time Brigid comes aboard.”

“Nothing wrong in having everything trim, but if she is anything like her father in domestic matters it may not be that way for long.” Jack smiled at Stephen who huffed indignantly, “I don’t know what you can mean Jack. All my specimens are carefully stored and labelled or that lumping villain Killick would throw them overboard if he could. As for my clothes well, you know how he tyrannises me with his brushing and primping, urged on by you.”

Killick stood a few steps behind Stephen and cleared his throat, “Cabin is cleared for the little maid sir, her hammock hung up and the Doctor’s clothes and hammock moved to your cabin sir.”

“Very good Killick. Brigid might be hungry so have some bread and honey or preserve and some milk ready for her when she comes aboard. We will have some coffee with her.”

Killick nodded to Jack, glared at Stephen and stumped back to the Admiral’s cabin.

Stephen mused, “Killick will not be pleased if he finds he has two black sheep to tend, but then I think Brigid is a much more nautical creature than me and will probably pass muster with Killick.”

“I hope so, I would hate to see Killick suffer a mental collapse with running after you both.” Jack stopped and stroked his chin pondering, “Mm, it might have a positive effect. Killick could possibly resign and I can get a more respectful abstemious steward. How much wine does Killick guzzle?”

Stephen grinned, “A tantalising prospect my dear, but I think it is best that we keep Killick. I value at least one of his qualities, regardless of his gossiping he is discreet when we need him to be.”

Both looked forward noting the skiff coming to the larboard side of the ship. “Here is Amos, just in time. He will have coffee with us.” Stephen walked forward to greet him.

Jack followed and called down to him, “Welcome aboard Dr Jacob I’m pleased to see you join the flagship. Where is your dunnage?”

Amos looked up and smiled and nodded to Stephen and answered, “Good morning Admiral, my assistant will be bringing it along with him in about an hour. I seem to have collected too many books.”

He shook Stephen’s and Jack’s hands and they walked back to the quarterdeck.

Jack signalled to a midshipman, “Mr Wells will you ensure Dr Jacob’s sea chest and books and such are sent down to the surgeon’s cabin when they arrive with his assistant.”

Stephen asked, “Dr Masterton is fully aware of the crewmen on the Surprise that he needs to keep an eye on? How has he taken the move to the Surprise? Does he resent it?”

Amos shrugged, “I have given him a list of the crewmen who have continuing problems. I don’t believe he is that worried about the move to the Surprise. He is being paid the same for treating a much smaller crew, but in truth, I think it is somewhat of a relief to him. I don’t know why but he seems to be nervous of you. Have you been particularly severe and demanding? I assume you would not trust the crew of the Surprise to an incompetent surgeon.”

Stephen grimaced and shook his head, “I have been as amiable as I can be with him and his assistant and yet both seem to believe that I am ready to savage them for the slightest error. I will never understand how they and many of the other ships’ surgeons have this perception of me. One or two perhaps may have cause to worry since their behaviour and treatment of patients has been well below the standard I expect, but as for the rest…” He shook his head again, truly puzzled.

Jack laughed, “Maybe they have heard the stories of your mood first thing in the morning before you have downed at least a gallon of coffee?”

Stephen was about to remonstrate when he looked forward and saw a small boat being lowered from the Ringle and Mr Reade and then Brigid climbing down. At the sight of her, he beamed his joy and Jack touched his shoulder, always stirred when he saw his friend truly happy and excited. “Come my dear let’s go forward and wait for her there. You too Dr Jacob. Have you met Brigid?”

“No, I should have visited your home when we first landed in England, but there was so much to be done in London and before I could visit your family, she had already left on the Ringle.” He too looked down at Stephen and smiled seeing his excitement and followed them.

While they were waiting, Stephen bent his head and murmured to Amos in Catalan, “I think that it is wiser to have you onboard to consult. My ferrying to and from the Surprise would incur some suspicion. I would prefer that you be perceived as a doctor and not in any other role. You do have papers updating the situation in the Gulf?”

“Yes Esteve, I will enjoy the chance of serving on a larger ship. There is sure to be a greater variety of medical conditions to treat.”

“I’m sorry to say seamen tend to have very similar disease states. They are either poxed or suffering constipation from their diet or liver or neural damage from drinking vast quantities of that loathsome grog or a combination of all three. In the officer class obesity from eating and drinking too much or psychological disorders are more prevalent. Perhaps the last will be of the greatest interest to you, but they are definitely the most difficult to treat.” Stephen replied critically surveying Jack.

“Really Stephen, you certainly have a low opinion of your shipmates. Maybe that is why the other surgeons are all nervous of you, they can sense your disapproval.” Jack laughed. “Now here she is, welcome my dear Brigid. Welcome to you Mr Reade, come on board.”

Stephen leant over the rail and looked down at Brigid and called, “Hurry my dear, I’ve missed you so.”

She clambered up the boarding ladder and then pushed herself up and over the rail and jumped into Stephen’s arms hugging him tight and kissing his cheek, “Papa, Papa I’m going to sail with you and Uncle Jack forever and ever.”

Stephen put her down and lightly touched her hair, “And how are you dear Brigid?”

“Happy now, I shall be so happy with you and Uncle Jack in this great big ship. I’ve never been on a such a big ship. Can I see all round it?”

Jack bent down and kissed her cheek. “Yes, my dear, I will get Mr Wells to show you all of the ship, but for now perhaps you want to go below to your cabin. Come Mr Reade, join us for some coffee. Here’s Killick, please arrange for some boys to bring down Miss Brigid’s sea chest.”

She looked back at Stephen now worried, “Is it close to your cabin Papa?”

“Oh yes, right next door. I will share the other cabin with Jack. Come my dear let me introduce you to Amos. You know of Dr Jacob from my letters.”

He leant down and shook her hand, “I’m very glad to meet you Miss Brigid.”

She looked shyly at him, assessing him and then smiled, “You’re one of Papa’s friends.”

“Yes, my dear, a very old friend. We met in Barcelona. Have you been to Barcelona?”

She nodded, “I went there with Papa and Mama, a long time ago.”

“Come Brigid we will go below. Are you hungry?” She nodded and Stephen held out his hand to Brigid and they and Amos followed Jack and Mr Reade, now deep in conversation about the Ringle’s voyage from England.

After showing Brigid her cabin and the attached quarter-gallery, Stephen showed her the cabin he would share with Jack and the day cabin where they would be working and then led her back to the dining cabin. Killick returned followed by two boys carrying Brigid’s sea chest, deposited it in the larboard cabin and hurried out, Killick followed them out, calling for his assistant to bring the coffee to the Great Cabin.

“Esteve I forgot to tell you the books you have ordered for Brigid are on the Surprise. We shall have to get Captain Harding to send them over.”

“Thank you, Amos. Well Brigid we can start on your lessons tomorrow,” Stephen pulled a chair out for Brigid and sat down beside her. Brigid looked less than impressed. “I thought I wouldn’t have to have lessons anymore.” Stephen trying to look stern shook his head at her, “No my dear, you have much to learn. Your education is too important. Don’t you want me to be your teacher?”

She put her head to the side and looked at him and slowly smiled, “Mm, it will be better than Miss Phipps at home. But you will show me the birds and animals. I saw seals and penguins when we were rounding the point into the bay. Can we visit them?”

“Perhaps I can ask Jack for a boat and we can visit the colonies this afternoon, after dinner. But tomorrow …”

“Yes, I know…lessons! Hmph!”

Killick came in with the coffee and his assistant carried a tray with bread, butter and biscuits and little pots of honey and jam and a large triangle of cheese. “Vittles is up!”

“Uncle Jack we’ve brought some of Aunt Sophie’s preserves and more socks for you Papa. They’re in my sea-chest.”

“Now here is your milk Miss Brigid. Do you want some bread and cheese or something sweet?”

“Cheese, butter and honey on bread please Killick,” she sniffed the milk.

“It’s fresh goat’s milk miss.” She nodded and sipped it. He put a plate in front of her with a knife, cutting a piece of cheese and a shaving of butter. She spread the butter and put the cheese on her bread and reached for the honey pot. “No Miss Brigid, I’ll put the honey on. You might get it on your dress.” He drizzled the honey over the cheese and picked up a serviette, “Put this over your dress now.”

Stephen arched an eyebrow and shook his head and reached across for the coffee pot and filled his cup and that of Amos and pushed the pot across the table to Jack who smiled broadly. Brigid looked up and down the length of the table. “How many people come to dinner?”

Jack replied, “Well we have to have all the ships’ captains and some of their officers for dinners and such. Would you like to attend?”

She looked doubtful and shook her head.

“Less people would be more suitable Jack. Just until she knows some of the people.” Stephen patted Brigid’s shoulder. “Perhaps we could ask Mr Harding and have Amos and Mr Reade for dinner today.”

Mr Wells entered the room, “Dr Jacob your sea-chest and your books are in your cabin.”

Amos drained his cup and stood up, “Mr Wells would you show me the way to my cabin and the sick berth, I should attend to my patients. Thank you for the coffee Admiral.”

“Come to dinner today Dr Jacob. Mr Wells after guiding Dr Jacob come back here, Brigid would like a tour around the ship before dinner and you may as well have dinner with us too.”

Jack and Mr Reade stood up as well, “I will see you at dinner then Mr Reade. Do you have any mail for the squadron?”

“Yes sir, just a small amount as we sailed from Shelmerston. Not too many of the other ships’ crews’ families would have known we were attached to the squadron. I can send a boat to those ships that have letters rather than disappoint the other crews who haven’t got any.”

“I think that would be for the best. A lot of them are enjoying some shore leave here or have taken themselves off to Cape Town while we were awaiting your arrival. We will be off within the week, unless we have news from the Admiralty that might scuttle our current plans.” He glanced at Stephen and receiving no response from him, shook Reade’s hand and followed him up on deck.

Stephen and Brigid moved to the Great Cabin stern windows and sat on the locker bench. He gave his glass to her so she could look at the shore and guided her hand in the direction of the penguin colony at Boulders Beach so she could focus on them. She sat still totally concentrating on them. He looked down at her and smiled, pleased that he could share his joy in nature with Brigid.

“Hello sir, I’ve come to show Miss Brigid the ship,” Mr Wells smiled at her.

“Come my dear, we will visit the penguin colony this afternoon. You remember Mr Wells, don’t you?”

“Yes, he fell off his horse and we had to put him in the cart and take him home and I got his blood on my dress.” She looked down to hide her grin.

“You held the bandage to my head to stop the blood. Thank you, Miss Brigid. Shall we go?”

Stephen kissed her forehead, “Go my dear, I will go down to see Amos in the sick berth. He may need my help. I shall see you at dinner.”

He spent the rest of the morning with Amos in his cabin discussing the latest reports Amos had brought with him from the Admiralty. Stephen stretched and stood, “Come Amos come up to the cabin with me. There is no need to make any radical adjustments to Jack’s plans as most of the new information will only relate to our work rather than the overall mission of the squadron.”

Jack was sitting at his desk working through his paperwork and looked up as they entered the cabin, “Well gentlemen, is there anything new that may affect our plans?”

“No, my dear, just a few adjustments to the possible negotiations with local authorities, nothing major.”

They all turned as Killick ushered in Lieutenant Bussell who saluted Jack and reported, “Sir, Miss Brigid has gone up to the tops on the foremast with Mr Wells. Should she be brought down sir?”

Jack shook his head, “No Mr Bussell, Brigid is quite comfortable in the rigging, much more competent than her father. I’m sure that Mr Wells will get her down safely.”

Stephen did not rise to the bait. “No need to worry. She is quite the marine creature and has been climbing the rigging of the Ringle since she was quite small.” He turned and smiled at Brigid and Mr Wells, “Ah, and here she is. How was your tour of the ship, above and below? Thank you, Mr Wells, for your kindness.”

“It is just a much bigger version of the Surprise. You could hide in hundreds of places on this ship and the masts are so tall. I wanted to go to the crosstree but Mr Wells said he would be in trouble with Uncle Jack if we went there. May I go up there Uncle Jack?”

“We’ll see, but only if you are accompanied by someone older and stronger than Mr Wells.” Jack looked up, “Good day to you Captain Harding and Mr Reade you are both very welcome. Shall we go through to the dining cabin?”

At the end of the meal Stephen asked Jack, “My dear I was considering taking Brigid out to Seal Island and then to the penguin colony this afternoon. May we use the jolly boat?”

“Yes of course my dears. Mr Wells you will go with them to …. No, I think with two Maturins in a boat I should personally supervise the expedition. You can still come along Mr Wells I may need an extra pair of eyes.” Jack smiled at Stephen waiting for his response.

Stephen glared at him for half a second and then laughed, “Perhaps that would be wise, we Maturins are well known to Surprise!” His look of victory directed at Jack was met with shock.

“Why Stephen you have finally developed an appreciation of my humour! Next you will be committing the ultimate sin in the very long list of my sins you have compiled over the years, telling execrable puns.” Jack laughed.

“No, I don’t believe I will sink so low my dear.”

“If we are to visit both colonies this afternoon, we should make a start. Mr Wells please see the first lieutenant about the jolly boat and we will be on deck in quarter of an hour.” He turned to the other officers, “Thank you gentlemen I shall see you all on Sunday.”

They all stood and Stephen turned to Brigid, “My dear, get your hat, your skin will burn on a day like today. I will get my glass and hat and we will go up on deck.”

They were standing at the rail while the jolly boat was lowered and Brigid touched Stephen’s hand, “Papa if I am to climb the masts, must I wear a dress? When I was on the Ringle they let me climb without my dress. It was so much easier. Why can’t I wear breeches like Mr Wells? I have pantaloons under my dress, they seem just as good.”

He frowned, “I’m not sure that would be wise my dear. You were a very little girl then and it would not be considered proper now for you to not wear your dress.”

“But why? What is different? In Summer Aunt Sophie lets me run around just in my vest and pantaloons when we go swimming in the river.”

“But that is en famille my dear where no unknown man will see you. I’m sorry Brigid, you will have to be dressed properly. Uncle Jack is an admiral now and as his god daughter you must be respectable.”

Brigid scowled, “I don’t care about being respectable.”

Jack came up behind them and bent and kissed Brigid’s hair and whispered in her ear, “But I do my dear and like your father you have to dress properly on a flag ship. It is just naval custom.” He glanced up at Stephen who shook his head, “You will have to obey him Brigid. He is the Admiral and if you don’t, you know Killick will nag you. He has nagged me for years. Believe me, my dear you do not want to experience that.”

She put her head down and muttered mutinously. “I’m tougher than Killick.”

Jack and Stephen looked at each other and smiled. Stephen touched her shoulder, “I’m sure you are. Come now. Here is the boat. Put your hat on. We must go down.”

Once they were all settled in the boat, Killick came to the rail. “Here sirs, some boat cloaks for the Doctor and Miss Brigid.” He dropped them to Mr Wells, “With this wind the spray will soak ‘em and the water down here is like ice.”

The small sail was hoisted and the boat glided away from the ship, picking up speed as it turned towards Seal Island. Jack passed the cloaks to Stephen, “Put the cloaks on Stephen, Brigid.” Stephen used to this mutely obeyed and draped the much too large cloak over Brigid.

She was now staring into the clear water and reached out and touched the water, “See Papa, you can see right down to the bottom. Look such a big fish.”

Stephen glanced over the side, “Bring your arm into the boat Brigid.”

She looked up at him puzzled and was surprised when he bent over and moved her arm into the boat. “My dear that is a shark, a great white shark. He might snap you up in a trice. They are ravenous.”

Jack nodded, “Your Papa is right the sharks around this coast are quite ferocious.”

“They are here because of the seals, my dear. They eat the seals and their pups and also the penguins. There are great schools of fish that migrate down the East African coast to the Cape and the sharks that are here join others like dolphins and sea birds that predate on the fish.”

Brigid listened carefully and Jack asked, “None of the penguins or seals go down to the Antarctic?”

“No, the food sources are so abundant here year-round that they have no need to migrate.”

Brigid still looking over the side called out, “Look the shark is following us. Can they jump?”

“They have been known to. They often can be seen swimming in a wave following a penguin or seal and leap out to catch them. I’m not sure they have the strength to leap out of the water like whales.”

“Are there whales here too?”

“Yes Brigid, Southern-Right and Humpback whales come up from Antarctica from about June to calve and return in November to the pole. Killer whales are probably here too, they are a much more mobile species and can be found from the poles to the tropics due to their feeding habits. They, like the sharks feed on other cetaceans, seals, sea lions and penguins as well as large fish. The others are filter feeders reliant on the krill and plankton that proliferates in the Antarctic, though I believe the Humpback can eat small fish as well. The humpbacks have been seen in and around the great shoals of tiny bait fish that swarm in the oceans.”

Brigid nodded again and looked over the side of the boat, “Oh, he’s swimming away, chasing that penguin. He’s caught him. The other penguins see how they fly through the water.”

“A penguin won’t be enough for him, he’ll try to get some more, “Jack peered down into the water following the chase. “He would prefer a big juicy seal, plenty of blubber.”

Stephen smiled, “I’m sure he would my dear.”

They were nearing the island and all gasped as a massive great white shark leapt totally out of the water and grabbed a seal porpoising through the water desperately trying to reach the island. Brigid’s jaw had dropped in horror as the monster crunched on the seal to break its spine and fell back into the deep. Stephen pulled her close and held her, “Are you all right my dear? Nature’s violence can be quite shocking.” He kissed her cheek. She hugged him tight and buried her face in his chest, her hat falling off. He stroked her hair and rocked her. “There is nothing to fear, he has his seal. I’m sure that his hunger is sated and he will swim away. Look we are so close to the island. Do you want to go onto the island or shall we just sail around it? They are pupping at the moment and I’m not sure it would be wise to be walking among them. The parents maybe a little aggressive. We can see them quite clearly with our glasses.”

Jack nodded, “I think it wiser to stay in the boat.” He offered his glass to Brigid.

“Thank you, Uncle Jack,” and she like Stephen started to sweep the island to look for pups. “So many little baby seals. What do they eat?”

“They are suckling from their mother at the moment. She provides a very rich milk so the young pup will grow quite quickly. When they are old enough and they moult …”

She looked questioningly at him.

“They lose their baby fur. They are black now but their fur will change to an olive-grey colour and eventually a brown-grey colour the same as the adult seals so they will be able to swim in this cold water and start to feed on fish, squid, crabs and other crustaceans and sometimes birds.”

“How do they catch birds?”

“I assume they swim underneath a sea bird floating on the ocean and come up like that shark and bite on them and drag them under. They can dive to great depths as most of their prey reside on the ocean floor. They must be able to hold their breath for quite long periods. I wonder what mechanism allows them to do it?”

They circled the island for an hour and the wind was blowing stronger so Jack touched Stephen’s arm, “My dear, the wind is rising and it will become rather rough, I think we should head for the beach and the penguin colony. It will be calmer closer to shore.”

Stephen looked around at the outlying rocks and there were waves now washing over them and he nodded, “Yes, I think it would be safer. Brigid we are sailing to the beach to see the penguin colony. Have you seen enough?”

“Yes, Papa, let’s go.”

Jack laughed, “Ay, Ay Captain Brigid, Mr Wells to the beach.”

Go to Brigid's Gift - Part 2