Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

watched as they went about their duties and could sense a real joy in what they were about, that is, until the Captain appeared. As soon as his foot hit the deck, the atmosphere changed. It was as if a shadow had descended over the ship. He barked several commands and seemed quite dissatisfied, until he saw me. A smile was forced onto his face and he greeted me, commenting on how much better I looked. After these few pleasantries, he suggested that I return to my cabin. It was said in such a way that I had little choice and he said he would have the cook bring me some breakfast.
Do you remember when we were little and we had hid papa’s pipe and how angry he was, and we were so scared that we just hid, while he punished the staff and for days there was a gloom that filled the house and it wasn’t lifted until we were able to replace his pipe without anyone knowing it was us. Even after he had his pipe back, that blackness persisted. That was the feeling I had.
Your sister
Christine

June 14, 1773
Dearest Sister,
We are now into the second week of this journey. I must be getting used to the motion of the ship since I am no longer sick. The Captain puzzles me more each day. Most of the time he seems kind and charming, like the man Papa knows and would have stay with us at the end of a voyage. Other times, for no reason that I can discern, a darkness comes over him, and he shows a temper that is quite fearsome. Today, while I was on deck there was a commotion, what happened I don’t know, but suddenly he was at my side and commanded me to my cabin. I began to protest when he grabbed my arm, and while squeezing it hard enough to bring me to tears and, in a low voice almost like the growl of a rabid dog, he repeated his order. In that moment I feared for my life and fled to my cabin.
Safe below, I could hear above me much shouting and thrashing about. Then, there was silence followed by the most horrible of screams. I remember, once when I was much younger, hearing those same sounds. I had wandered away from the main house and out by the cane fields I saw Mr. Roberts, the overseer, raising his whip against one of the field slaves. The sound of the cracking whip and the screams of that poor man were so terrible that I ran back to the house and hid in my room for the rest of the day. I could never look at Mr. Roberts again without hearing those screams.
As the screams faded, so did my memories and before long, the silence was soon followed by the sounds of water splashing and holystones rubbing the deck. I can only imagine that blood had been spilled.
Christine

June 15, 1773
Sister,
Yesterday, after the flogging, the captain came to my cabin. The blackness that I had seen in his eyes was gone, and his manner was no longer so fearsome, but rather kinder. His considerable charm held sway over me as he apologized for having been so rough with me. It was as if he were a different man. He spoke as if nothing had happened and even suggested that I join him on deck for some fresh air. His invitation, as kind as it seemed, was less a question than a command. Puzzled, I had no choice but to agree.
On deck, standing at the rail, he tried to engage me in pleasant conversation and my fears were forgotten for a moment. I don’t know what overcame me, and I asked him about what had happened yesterday. He stiffened and turned away from me, and as he turned, his whole demeanor changed. I watched as he took a deep breath, and felt a chill course through my body. When he turned to face me again, whatever kindness had prompted him to invite me on deck was gone. He spoke slowly and calmly to me saying that I was never to question him about the running of his ship. Then he turned and strode away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Later that evening, I went back up onto the deck. The moon had not yet risen, and the stars were so bright that no other light was necessary. It was beautiful. The breeze had freshened and it seemed as if we were flying across the ocean, chased by a trail of phosphorescence that followed in our wake. Before long the moon appeared on the horizon, and as I stood watching it rise into the heavens, I felt a presence by my side. I turned. It was the cook who had been so kind to me when I was so sick. He asked how I was getting along. I thanked him for his concern and then asked if he knew where we were. He told me that we had passed by the Bahamas Islands during the day and that soon we would be more than halfway to