The Brotherhood of Pandora

Excerpt from the new David Nichols book

Many of you will know David Nichols from his popular boat designs or his traditional boat-building books, but he’s just released a historical, nautically-accurate fiction book to rave reviews.

About The Brotherhood of Pandora our friend Chuck Leinweber wrote: “The Brotherhood of Pandora is the most entertaining book I have read all year. David Nichols has crafted an amazing tale of nautical adventure and intrigue. The author's attention to detail and skillful dialog make the book not only fun to read but educational too. By the end, you will be in love with the characters and hoping a sequel is not far away. I predict this book will be made into a movie very soon.”

We asked, and David was kind enough to share an excerpt below. If you’d like a first edition copy of the book you can order it here. Make sure to mention “Small Craft Advisor” when you order to get a SIGNED copy.

Finally, if you’re interested in this book, please comment below (“Interested” is fine) and we will choose one person at random (using a number generator) to send a free signed copy to. PLEASE NOTE: Winner of the free book was selected 3/13

OK, now here’s the excerpt. Enjoy! -Eds

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There was a loud ‘what’ from the opposite end of the tavern, and an older and somewhat heavier Cyrus Wilkes quickly made his way through the crowd to where Jacob and John were sitting.

“Glory be! Glory be! Captain May, sir. Welcome! Ah, it is a fine pleasure to see you, sir. Oh, a true pleasure indeed.”

Both men rose as Mister Wilkes came to the table.

“Cyrus, the pleasure is mine. Cyrus, may I introduce Marine Lieutenant John Garvey. Lieutenant, this is Cyrus Wilkes, my first officer on the Raptor.

John bowed and smiled, “Your servant Mister Wilkes. I am most familiar with the exploits of Mister Wilkes aboard the Raptor.”

A puzzled look flashed across Cyrus’ face.

“I am Eli Garvey’s son, Mister Wilkes, and he always spoke highly of you.”

“Yes, by God, I see it! I do. You are Eli’s son, to be sure. It’s like talking to a young Eli himself.”

Cyrus waved his arms toward the table, “Gentlemen! Gentlemen, please sit! I’m so overcome with surprise I have forgotten my manners. Ruth! Ruth! Bring me a large pitcher of beer, some cheese, and bread, and be damn quick!”

Cyrus pulled a chair from another table and sat down.

“Oh, what a fine day this is! What a fine day indeed! Tell me, young Garvey, how is Eli?”

“My father died five years ago, Mister Wilkes.”

Cyrus’s excitement turned serious.

“Ah, young sir, I’m saddened to hear that. I’m deeply saddened to hear that. Your father was a very fine and honorable man. I had the pleasure of serving shoulder to shoulder with him. He was as brave and honorable as they come. The world’s a sadder place for his passing, to be sure.”

Cyrus smiled, “If I said it once, I said it a hundred times; Eli could talk the goose out of her golden egg. I have seen him do it; I have.”

Jacob and his lieutenant exchanged a look.

The young barmaid from earlier carefully set a large pitcher and a plate with cheese and bread on the table.

“Drink up, Gentlemen, Drink up! Ruth! Give these fine gentlemen anything they wish, and they are not to be charged a single penny. Not a single penny!”

The young girl curtseyed, mumbled a ‘very good sir’. and hurried away, hoping the fine gentlemen wouldn’t tell Mister Wilkes of her rude behavior.

“Captain May, sir, it would be my greatest pleasure to have the entire house drink your health. And my greater pleasure to have it drunk on the house.”

“Cyrus, you are most kind and generous, but I fear discretion is the order of the day.”

“Sir?”

“Cyrus, it is good to see you, but I am here to request a favor.”

“Whatever that favor, Captain, it is granted.”

“I need your help to discreetly raise a crew for what might best be described as an unusual independent voyage.”

“Ah.” Cyrus lowered his voice and glanced about. “Does this unusual voyage involve a certain amount of profit-taking?”

“Yes,” Jacob nodded. “It does involve profit-taking, but it also involves a great deal of risk, Cyrus. I must be honest with you; one of the risks is the noose.”

Cyrus smiled knowingly. He was thoroughly enjoying being in on the conspiracy. “So that level of profit-taking. What you need is ‘men of business.’”

“Yes, I suppose I need ‘men of business,’ Cyrus. So if you could quietly and discreetly pass the word about, I would be grateful.”

“How soon will you be needing these ‘men of business,’ and how many do you need, sir?”

“We sail from Lewes in five months. I have young Garvey here, and I also seem to have acquired a marine sergeant and four leathernecks, who appear to have volunteered out of the blue.”

John smiled at the floor, being careful not to let the Captain see the smile.

Jacob continued, “I have only learned of this unusual enterprise today, and you immediately came to mind. The tavern places you in an excellent spot to recruit a good crew”.

“You flatter me, Captain May. To think I was the first to come to your mind. I am flattered indeed. Which brings me to this; if I may be so bold. As of yet, you have no first officer, so may I put forth my name as your first officer? It would be the highest honor, sir.”

Cyrus patted his stomach, “I know I seem a bit thick about the middle, Captain, but I can still command a crew, and I can sail a fancy circle around the best, as you well know. My days on land have not diminished that, not one bit. I give you my word of honor, not one bit.” As an afterthought, Cyrus added, “And I can still swing a cutlass. I’m damned if I ever miss a day's practice in the basement. I shoot my pistol behind the tavern every day. It drives Martha to distraction, sir. But I have kept my hand in; I have kept my hand ready.”

Jacob was quite taken aback by Cyrus’s offer. John had to turn his face to the wall to hide his large smile from the captain.

“But Cyrus, I do not understand. Martha is your wife. You took your prize money and invested in this tavern with her. You are a prosperous tavern owner; why in God's name would you give that up?”

 “Well, sir, it is a bit different than that. It is true I have invested my prize money in the tavern, and I have asked Martha to be my wife many times, but she refuses, sir.”

“What?”

Cyrus shook his head yes, “She refuses, sir.”

“But, why?”

“You see, she inherited the tavern from her husband, Mister Smallwood. She is a widow, as you know, and if she marries me, she loses the Man Full of Trouble. It becomes mine. So she will not be my wife. Oh, we share the bed, not meaning to be crude, and she made me a legal partner, but she will not marry me, sir.”

“I can see that marriage would be a problem for her, but we are men of the world, and what difference does a certificate of marriage make? None! You are still a prosperous tavern owner, a man of means by the look of you. What possible reason would you have for wanting to give that up?”

“The truth is, sir, it is dull.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“It is dull, sir. No excitement. The same each day. Dull.”

“Cyrus, you are my friend. We have stood side by side and stared Death in the eye. We have watched our friends and shipmates die horrible deaths. We have shared that, and it creates a bond. So now I must be brutally honest, and I know what I say will not leave this table.” Cyrus agreed, and Jacob lowered his voice. “Cyrus, this enterprise has another agenda, and to carry it to completion will surely result in all involved hanging. To become part of this is to sign your own death warrant.  I cannot stress that enough.”    

“Does that mean you will not accept my name?”

“You are an excellent first officer, one of the best, and it would be an honor to have you serve with me. But this is very different from the Raptor. When you were first officer on the Raptor, we sailed under our country’s flag. We fought for our freedom and that of our country. With this enterprise, Cyrus, we fight under no flag but our own. We will all surely hang as common criminals.”

“I am unclear Captain, is that a yes or no?”

Jacob gave an exasperated laugh, “I have done all in my power to dissuade you from this venture, but to no avail, so it is yes. I do not believe I would ever find a better first officer.”

Jacob picked up his mug. “There is nothing left to do but drink to my first officer’s long life and good fortune.” •SCA•

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