CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Tiger’s word was on the money, for all hands were accounted for. The Princess left port from GUANE, Cuba. It was early morning.
Lane stood with his father on the bow, but they were not alone. ZIBA was there as well.
They watched the youngest Lane doing his job. He had the telescopic lens from Captain Matthew, the Captain’s Eye, and he was already looking ahead to see what they might encounter.
David was at the helm, and Tiger had gone to find himself a place to sleep. Both he and Joseph were worn down by the day’s events.
“I’ve also had a chance to read it.” Lane’s father was commenting on the statement just made by his son. They were talking about the Apostle Paul.
Lane continued with the question he had. “He wrote something in his letter to the Corinthian Church. It reminds me of what you just said.”
“You mean about my reasons for going to Joppa?” Lane’s father wanted to understand the nature of his son’s questions. He wanted to answer truthfully.
“Let me just quote Paul, and then I’ll answer the question. He told the Corinthians that, upon their conversion, they were not their own. Rather, they’d been bought with a price.” Lane explained things just as he read them. “He told them they were the temple of the Holy Spirit. He meant they ought to do the things God’s Spirit desired and ignore their own desires.”
Lane’s father responded. “It goes to the lordship. You’re going to find that it’s also written in this collection of letters that the Lord said there’d be some people he’d reject at his second coming. They’d claim to have done many miracles in his name, but he would deny them, saying He never knew them.” Lane’s father said this.
The rest of the conversation was joined by both ZIBA and the younger cousin. They listened to the story of how Lane’s father went to Joppa in total surrender to the Lord.
He’d hoped to contact some of the European people coming into the area. His contact was to be Pedro Taylor.
During his stay there in Joppa, he’d encountered both Nathan and Joseph. Some people had been very helpful.
It turned out that he had also known Simon and stayed at the very same base camp Lane had.
Pedro Taylor betrayed him and sold him to others, a sale that included Joseph.
One owner then another, and finally, he had ended up in Cuba. He had worked on the Lopez Plantation for over twenty years.
Juan Lopez wasn’t the worst person he had ever met. In fact, there was a library in the main house. The library contained a lot of information about Spain, Europe and there was a Bible.
Lane’s father told them how he’d seen the work of the Romanists. The islands between Cuba and the other side of the ocean were a testimony to how they’d murdered the local people and, abusing the name of the Lord, they made slaves out of many.
He also told them that he had never doubted a rescue. But, whether it came sooner than later wasn’t a real problem for him.
Lane’s father had learned that the Lord is in charge. He’d settled it in his mind to be where the Lord wanted him to be and, at least for some while in his life, that place had been at the Lopez Plantation.
Just then, Lane’s father noticed dolphins swimming on both sides of the Princess, off her bow, nearly close enough to touch.
“I’ve read about these animals.” He told his son. “But, I couldn’t see anything on my trip over here. We were kept below deck.”
Lane then took the time to repeat to his father the story of the last twenty-three years.
He explained how he had left ZIBA in charge of their animals and set out for Joppa. Lane told him how he’d encountered Simon on the city streets on the very first night. And, he also admitted that the Lord had led him through each place, making it possible to eventually come to Cuba.
Lane tapped his foot against the deck. “Even this boat was provided to come here and get you.”
ZIBA spoke up. “Don’t forget us!!!!” He was pointing in the direction of Lane’s younger cousin.
Lane smiled. “That’s right. He also brought the family together.”
“I’m no expert.” Lane’s father spoke up. “But, we seem to be going west. The sun is still behind us.”
Lane joined his cousins in smiling; then, he answered his father.
“We’re going to a new place. ZIBA and Lane there aren’t the only family we’ve been rejoined to.”
His father looked at Lane, obviously expecting more information.
Lane hugged his father. “The Lord’s brought mother over, too. She’s with Uncle MAHLI and his wife. They’re on another vessel up ahead of us.”
Tears came to Lane’s father’s eyes and, other than thanking the Lord, he didn’t speak again for a long time.
The Princess cut through the water and, if it were possible, she picked up speed. Winds were favorable.
Lane spent a lot of time reading charts and making course corrections, for he had never been to this side of the ocean.
They passed by some other islands, but he knew that the city that they sought would be found at the mouth of a river. It wasn’t a new city, and the Spanish placed it at a place called Matagorda Bay.
Lane also had time to read the Bible, a practice developed over the years.
Parts of the book were committed to memory, but he found that reading this book was like air to his lungs. He needed it. The Apostle Paul said the word was much like milk from a mother, and Lane found this statement to be a true one.
He grew while reading it, both in understanding and in trust of the Lord.
Three days out of Cuba, and Lane’s cousin and namesake sighted a set of sails. He couldn’t tell which direction the ship was traveling in, either for the Princess or away from her.
Lane was walking in the general area with his father, and they were talking about Lane’s life at sea.
Suddenly, ZIBA showed up. ZIBA had always had very good eyesight. It was his gift from the Lord, or so the family always told him.
Lane looked up to see ZIBA and greeted him with his hand.
ZIBA pointed past Lane and his father and said, “Is that the Fabien?” All eyes turned to the bow, for that’s where ZIBA was pointing.
Other than Lane’s namesake, there wasn’t anyone else able to see the ship on the horizon. The reason the younger man could see her, of course, was due to the use of the telescopic lens, or the eye.
“It’s the Fabien!!!!” ZIBA shouted. And, he moved closer to the bow.
The others went with ZIBA, but they still could not see what he was pointing at.
Lane asked for the lens.
His cousin passed it over and watch for signs of confirmation. He was excited with the idea that it might be the Fabien, and he knew ZIBA’s eyes were nearly always correct.
“That’s the Fabien. Lane finally said. “And, she’s coming this way.”
That brought more onlookers, including Tiger. He asked an obvious question. “Why is the Fabien coming to us?”
“They’re coming for me.”
That did get a look from ZIBA, but then Lane’s cousin and namesake said something else. “They’re coming because the Lord told them to.”
Four sets of eyes turned to look at the young man. So, he continued.
“It’s like in the days of David, when he fled from Absalom.”
Lane’s father responded. “Like Absalom?”
His nephew shook his head. “Not like Absalom, but like in those days. Remember the story. When David was near the Jordan River. A man from Saul’s family line came out to curse him.”
“Sure. That was the son of Gera.” ZIBA spoke up.
The younger cousin went on. “Right. It was SHIMEI.”
Lane’s father still wasn’t finished with the conversation, so he asked. “I still don’t understand what you mean about this situation being like that. Can you explain it?”
Everybody listened to the younger man. “Sure. The Lord told SHIMEI to curse David. That’s what David said. I’m saying that the Lord also told Captain Matthew to bring the Fabien to meet with us.”
“Makes perfect sense to me.” Lane commented. “The Lord has been with me since leaving home, step for step. He has led me to certain people. He has done it even when I didn’t know to whom I ought to speak.”
“I thank the Lord, then.” Lane’s father said. “If he’s sent the Fabien, there must be a good reason.”
“Amen.” ZIBA cut in. “It’s the Fabien, alright. She’s making good time.” There wasn’t anything left to do, so the men stood on the bow watching the other vessel approach. At a certain point, they’d pointed themselves at the Fabien, so distance was suddenly gone.
“Hail the boat!” Captain Matthew hollered over the waves from his own bow.
“Captain Matthew.” Lane hollered back. “This is a surprise.”
The Captain nods. “We came to assist.” He looks over at Lane’s father. “And, I see you were successful.”
Lane could see from the look in his father’s eyes that it wasn’t the first time he had seen Captain Matthew. This was a puzzle to him, and he decided to ask about it later.
While the vessels floated alongside each other, and over a series of hours, personnel were moved from one to the other.
In the end, Lane was still aboard the Princess, but his father had gone over to the Fabien to see his wife, or Lane’s mother.
That didn’t displease Lane at all; in fact, once the idea was suggested, the suggestion coming from Lane’s Uncle MAHLI, he was in full support.
Night was coming on before they were ready to get underway, so they decided to float through the night and sail together for their port.
Lane had received more information from Captain Matthew, as to their plan.
The place they were going was called Matagorda Bay. It was to the north of there that the Captain had found property for himself, but a lot of land was available.
He said the climate was wonderful in this new place, a village called Freeport.
Lane didn’t follow all the details of the Captain’s retirement story, but he did see that his mother and father could make a new home there.
He also couldn’t help himself from thinking about his own future.
Where would he go, and what would he do?
Lane thought about that first day on the road, the day he had gone to Joppa looking for answers.
He had run into Captain Matthew that day, and they’d conversed about life. The Captain had told Lane then that a man could spend his whole life on the sea.
It seemed like idle talk to a twelve year old, but looking back on his own life, Lane realized that he had spent nearly his entire adult life on the water. He liked the waves.
The Princess had been his home, even during those years on Bermuda.
When it was all said and done, Lane didn’t know whether he could happily go back to tending farm animals.
That wasn’t a bad life, but he just didn’t know that it’s what he wanted.
He also had to admit that knowing about slave trafficking would always cause him trouble.
Lane didn’t like the thought that some men would use their fellow human being like that.
“Lord.” Lane began to pray. “It seems like I’m always asking you for help. This day isn’t any different from the others. I need you to show me where you want me to be. You are God. And, I’ve come to understand that you made the Heavens and the Earth. Every life owes you total respect and devotion. Please help me to do the right thing, and show me where to go. Thank you.”
From where he stood on the deck of the Princess, It was easy to see the Fabien cutting through the waves. Lane looked at the other ships for a while and thought of Captain Matthew.
“Lord.” He took his petition to the Lord. “Captain Matthew’s already told me that he’s going to retire. That means getting rid of the Fabien. He doesn’t need her anymore.”
Lane tapped his foot on the deck. “He’s not going to need the Princess, either. I want her.”
His mind went to the hundreds of islands near to and beyond Cuba. They were populated by those who’d sell a human to work their plantation. It was a people that dealt in human flesh.
“It’s right that my father is home with my mother, that she doesn’t have to live her life alone. But, I’m not ready to go back to shepherding their sheep. You’ve shown me another life.”
He looked again at the Fabien, but he thought of Captain Matthew. “Please put it in Captain Matthew’s heart to sell me the Princess, Lord. I could use her to continue this life you’ve shown me to free those suffering under the forced labor of slavery. I’m talking about people like my father.”
Nathan walked past Lane and, when he heard his talk of slavery, he stopped to talk about it. “I’ve been thinking.” He interrupted.
Lane gave Nathan some attention. “You’ve been thinking what?” Nathan smiled, for he knew he’d come in between Lane and prayer.
“Please excuse me. I know you were talking to the Lord. But, I’ve got something to say.”
Somehow, Lane guessed what Nathan was going to talk about.
Nathan continued. “You rescued me from the water.”
Lane pointed to the Heavens. “That was the Lord’s doing.”
Nathan nodded. “Yes. It was his doing, but he used you to do it.” He paused for argument but, when nothing came, he continued. “You’re good at it.”
Lane was giving Nathan more attention now. “Keep talking!!!!” He invited.
Nathan now looked across the distance between them and the Fabien, then he looked to Lane. “My heart says you ought to keep the Princess. We could used her to bring more people to safety here on this land we’re going to.”
Lane spoke up now. “That’s what I was talking to the Lord about.” Nathan seems puzzled. “Talking to the Lord about what?”
“About the Princess.” Lane informs him. “I want to keep the Princess and use her to travel between the islands. She’s already shown herself to be able.”
Nathan’s smiling. “I want to come with you. There’s no end to the good we could do.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Lane was both confirming by his words but shaking his head. “But, we can’t rescue anybody.”
Nathan knew what his friend was getting at. “You mean the Lord?”
Lane spent the next few hours watching dolphins and conversing with nearly every crewman aboard the Princess.
It was clear that, starting from Nathan, the word had passed itself around. Each person came to Lane seeking a place on his crew.
They all seemed to want to be a part of the Lord’s plans to bring mercy to those suffering the abuse of slavery.