If you are going to do anything today, eat sweet pickles and take the time to read this entry of The Captain’s Lady journal. This entry was incredibly touching to me especially when she describes the hidden discovery… oh I was touched. I won’t hold you longer… scroll down to read and soak in this heroic story.
The Captain’s Wife Episode 06: The Rescue
May 1863
“During the Civil War, my Captain delivered military supplies and food for our brave soldiers down along the coast to Southern Ports. On one journey homeward he became involved in a harrowing rescue at sea.
Upon arriving at his destination, he discovered that the prevailing weather conditions were so favorable that they were able to sail directly to their anchorage without the aid of a tug or pilot boat. But now, as they prepared to return to the home port of Boston this early morning they found that the wind was rising steadily. The Captain was on the quarter deck with the harbour pilot who had been taken aboard in order to guide them out as far as the open water because of the thrashing seas. The Captain issued commands to the First Mate. “Prepare to cast off, Mr. Farrell.”
“Aye, Aye, sir,” was the quick reply.
All work being done to the accompaniment of baried full-throated sea shanties, the anchor was hove up and away. The wind was steadily increasing and there was already a good deal of restless swell to the sea. The sails were then unfurled. Suddenly, the Captain spied a little black girl about eleven running toward the ship with two men in pursuit – probably slave bounty hunters. She was clutching her cloak tightly about her pathetically thin little body. The Captain quickly ordered a line over the side and up she hastily scrambled much to the anger and dismay of the hunters. Anxious hands pulled her safely over the side. The line was immediately hauled in and the signal given. “Get underway at once, Mr. Farrell.” The great ship moved majestically out to the sea guided by the harbour Pilot when then dropped down a line to his boat and returned to the dock. The ensign halyards were then raised; the Stars and Stripes billowed back from the stern; the helmsman grasped the wheel, shaped her course and held her stead as she goes. The taut, wind-filled sails strained the ropes. The hoisted sheets swelled and caught the mighty winds with a sharp crackling, ear-splitting sound that reverberated over the restless fomenting waters. They continued to fill as into the roaring sea the clipper ship glided, gathering speed fast and faster, heading straight for the open seas and home. The ship was now on its own; the waters rushed backward from the sharp bow to rush aft in a great froth and mingle with the foaming white wake beyond the stern.
As soon as tney were safely on the high seas, the Captain ordered the little girl brought to his quarters. She, who has been so brave before was now trembling with fear as the tall, stern-looking Captain began to question her. “What is your name and where are you from, little lady?” asked the Captain.
She replied, “My name is Mariah. I lived on a plantation in Virginia. After it was burned to the ground, my mammy and I ran away. She was taken sick and died about two months ago. Before she died she told me to run to the North, head toward the sea. Maybe someone would take me aboard a ship. I traveled by nite and hid by day, living on anything I could find. I was scared and missed my Mammy so, but I kept hearing her say: “Child, go North and find freedom somehow.” I kept running until I was within sight of the dock and your ship. Then those two hunter men saw me and gave chase. I prayed so hard and you saw me and here I be.”
The Captain ordered hot blankets and food for her immediately. As he helped her to removed her tattered cloak, he heard a baby wail and with great disbelief carefully lifted a little two-month old baby from a sack attached to her back. She told how her Mammy died when brother Isaiah was born. Then a pathetic meow was heard as a tiny half-starved tabby poked its head from another sack tied to her bodice. The Captain threw back his head and laughed. “Wait ’til my Lady sees what treasured I am bringing to her on this voyage. A little girl to be companion to my nieces Carrie and Jennie Maria, an official mouse-catcher for Rosewood and another little baby orphan to raise. All in all a handsome bounty for my Lady’s pleasure. We’re homeward bound and clear of danger so let’s crowd those sails Mr. Farrell. I have a Lady waiting in Boston for this precious cargo!”
(The Captain’s Lady Cookbook
This book can be purchased through Amazon:
The Captain’s Lady Cookbook
- 1 pound pickling cucumbers
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup vinegar
- Pair or slice cucumbers.
- Boil in 1 cup of vinegar and 1 quart of water until cucumbers are soft. Meanwhile, bring sugar and vinegar to a boil. Add cucumber slices and boil until fully cooked.
- Refrigerate pickles in the sugar and vinegar sauce until use.
