This is a sequel to Zeelandia, so you might wish to read that story first. The External Link at the bottom of this page will take you directly there.

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Please be aware as you read this story that it is written in the language of the last quarter of the seventeenth century. English at that time consisted of only forty thousand words, and some of their spellings and meanings differ from our current ones. Contractions were rarely used at that time by the nobility and gentry, so some of my dialogues may seem stiff, though not as stiff as Shakespeare's at the beginning of the century. For increased clarity, my chosen style differs from those contemporaneous with my story's setting, such as that in the Diary of Samuel Pepys. I hope my blending of old language with phrasing a bit more modern still conveys a fair sense of the time.

In 2009, the one-millionth word was added to the English language, so I have restricted myself to using only four per cent of the words available. Culling the other ninety-six per cent is a labour of love, so please point out any usages you find to be non-historic.

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For those who have read Zeelandia, I thank you, and I offer here a summary to refresh your memory.

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With her mother's recent death and her father's return from his last sea voyage more than two years overdue, eighteen-year-old Camille realises there's nothing left for her in England. Over the years, she had idolised her father, and now inspired by his tales of seafaring adventures, she sets out to seek her own. She binds her bosom and disguises herself as a young lad to gain a position as the captain's cabin boy aboard the ship, Zeelandia, bound for the Caribbean in 1676.

Zeelandia's new captain had been an orphan in the streets of London, who from the age of twelve, spent half a year sailing a Thames barge then ten years at sea, gaining experience and prospering through pirate hunting. Camille, now called Boy, is attracted to him, but she doesn't know why. As her feelings and physical reactions increase, she has a series of small catharses, realising her mother had grown increasingly insane, and she had suppressed and distorted all details about coming of age.

The interaction between Captain and Camille slowly evolves, first intellectually, then socially and spiritually as he assumes guardianship of the orphaned Boy, regarding 'him' as his ward, or as a son he wished he had.

With no other women aboard, and needing to maintain her ruse, Camille subtly seeks information from a young midshipman who appears to be partway through puberty, and she uses this and her own self-discoveries to steer Captain into offering guidance about coming of age.

Over the weeks, the bonding grows as Camille learns that Captain craves a wife and family, and when they arrive in Barbados, she decides it's time to reveal her true identity to him. He's shocked, and he sends her to her quarters to be dealt with later. Distraught, she packs her belongings and leaves the ship.

After wandering aimlessly, both afoot and emotionally, she takes a room in an inn. Captain organises a search and finds her. They reconcile the misunderstanding, and in the process, he introduces himself as Charles. As they lay together, he tells her about a tract of land he owns in the colonies, and he asks her to settle there with him.

While they continue toward Jamaica, they are caught in a pirate trap, but being better armed and quick to respond, Zeelandia counters the attack and sinks them. Charles is an honourable seaman, and he rescues the survivors. Some of them had been sailors captured and enslaved by the pirates, and they tell of many more like themselves ashore in the pirates' haven.

The slaves are freed, and among them is Camille's father. As they reunite and reacquaint, she's shocked by his attitudes, and she realises her former image of him had been that of an immature and impressionable daughter, not that of a far wiser young woman.

Camille resolves to wed Charles and to settle with him in the colonies.

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Copyright © 2020 by Michael Walsh

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to: photocopying, scanning, recording or information storage and retrieval, without permission in writing from the author.