Dillard Beach Mystery – 43

Early Fall, 1683

Rebekah and her son, Ezra, did not see Captain Chapman through the remainder of the summer. Between visiting expectant mothers, delivering babies and managing her growing business making salves and ointments, Rebekah’s days were very full. She continued to make and send her salve to the Chapman Trading Company in Hyannis as often as there were orders to fill but she made no effort to visit his office or reopen the conversation about his trading policies. There was little for either to say to the other, so far apart were their thoughts on the matter of his business.

But Ezra missed the Captain and asked for him often.

“I want to go sailing with the Captain, moma. When can we go again?”

“We have too many chores to do, Ezra, to spend time sailing.”

“But I want to go sailing,” the child complained. “The Captain will take me.”

Rebekah looked down at her son and saw the longing in his eyes. “You know the Captain is a very busy man, Ezra. I’m sure he will take you sailing when next he visits. But for now, you must be patient. And there is much for you to do here in Dillard, helping me with the animals and garden.” She saw the disappointment in his eyes. “I promise next time I go to town, I will take you with me and you can say hello to the Captain yourself.”

“When, Mama? When will you go to town?”

“Soon. Ezra. I promise.”

Another two weeks went by before Rebekah decided she could not put off a trip to Hyannis another day. Supplies for her medicinals were low and Ezra needed a new pair of shoes. She had repaired and re-repaired his present pair with narrow strips of cardboard, but cold weather was not far off and the purchase of a new pair with solid soles could not be avoided. She begged a carriage ride from Farmer Birch when next he went to town and the man agreed to take both herself and her son.

“You serve us well, Mistress Rand, and I am happy to return the favor. It is no trouble to have you and the boy along for the ride provided you do not mind sharing space with a sheep or two.”

Rebekah laughed. “As long as you don’t expect me to share space with your geese. They bite something fierce.”

Farmer Birch had to smile at the memory. The previous autumn he had shared his wagon with Rebekah and three fattened geese in cages, ready for market. It had been a difficult trip for Rebekah. The geese had flapped their wings, honked and pecked at the midwife until she lost all toleration and decided to walk most of the way into town.

“No geese this trip, miss, the farmer explained, I will take them to market in a month.”

The following Monday, just as the morning sun rose over the fields, Rebekah and Ezra met Farmer Birch at the Dillard Crossroads.

Birch began with his usual banter and gossip from the neighborhood. “I hear there is much new doing in Hyannis Harbor these days. A new ship arrived a few days ago and tied up at Chapman’s dock, the hold full of new cargo down from Boston.”

“What kind of cargo?” Rebekah asked, her voice, anxious.

“Furniture, mostly, is what I hear from the gossips. But I paid little mind. I am in need of a new plow, not a table or bed. Local merchants from as far west as the Hudson are in Hyannis now, eager to buy or trade. Some think Chapman a bit of a pirate as he makes a good profit on what he sells. But I cannot fault the man for being a good trader. Chapman is clever, that is sure.”

Rebekah nodded but did not respond.

“Will you be seeing the Captain? I have seen you together once or twice.” He smiled and gave Rebekah an exaggerated wink. “You could not do much better than the Captain, and could do a lot worse.” He leaned forward so he could speak to Ezra directly. “I wager you would love to have the Captain be your new Dah.”

Ezra gave Birch a blank look. The boy did not understand the hidden meaning in the farmer’s words, but Rebekah did and gave the farmer such a look full of anger, he shut his mouth immediately and did not utter another word until they reached Hyannis.

Birch helped his passengers descend from the carriage and with hat in hand, turned to Rebekah. “My apologies for speaking out of turn, miss. Just wishing you the best for the child is all. A boy needs a father to my way of thinking.”

She raised her hand, putting an end to his argument. “Please, say no more.” She took Ezra by the hand and turned to move away. “Where and at what time shall we meet you for our return to Dillard?”

“Be at the top of the pier near Chapman’s dock at noon by the town hall clock I’ll have the carriage ready for home.”

Rebekah nodded and scanned the dock, half-hoping to catch sight of the Captain. But he was nowhere in sight. With Ezra in tow, she quickly walked away from the docks towards the center of town and the shops.

She first visited the apothecary. There she found the few cuttings and seeds she could not grow in her garden.

“Mistress Rand, it is a pleasure to see you again.” The druggist smiled and nodded. “You are well?” He looked at Ezra, “and this is your boy? What a big boy and such a handsome child. Is he six or seven?”

Ezra puffed out his chest proudly and declared, “I am this many years!” He shoved his fist towards the man’s face, all five fingers extended.

“Five? Why that is remarkable. You look to me to be near twice that age,” said the man in a teasing tone.

Rebekah patted Ezra on the shoulder. “Ezra is big for his age.”

“And strong!” Ezra said, loudly.

“It won’t be long before you are off as an apprentice to one of the local tradesmen or merchants.”

Ezra looked at the druggist and then at his mother. “What is a prentis?” His small tongue could not wrap itself around the word.

The druggist leaned closer. “Becoming an apprentice is like being in school—learning a trade from an expert. If you really are five years old, you are nearly old enough to leave home and learn a trade.” He turned to Rebekah. “So what do you say, Miss? Is your boy ready to leave home?”

Ezra had a look of horror on his face. “No want to leave home. Moma, I no want to leave home.”

“Do not worry, Ezra.” She put her arm around the boy and pulled him close. There is little danger of your leaving home.” She turned to the druggist. “Why do you scare my son so?”

The druggist shook his head. “One hears things. A woman was in the shop two days ago and spoke of the local magistrates in a town just a few miles north. A farmer could not meet his mortgage. They took his son as an indentured servant to one of the town elders until the debt be paid.”

“Then I am glad to not have such debt. I own my home outright and make my own way by the sweat of my brow, the work of my hands, and the goodness of my neighbors.”

“Then you are a most fortunate woman, Mistress. I trust you don’t take these blessings for granted.”

“I assure you I do not. But why do you say such a thing?”

“The blessings of the Elders are not always constant – especially for those who enjoy the work of midwifery in which you practice. What appears as perfectly natural to you and I who have knowledge of the natural way of things, might appear to those without that knowledge, to be suspect.”

“Nonsense, sir.”

“Not nonsense for those who have encountered suspicions. Take my word as a warning, sweet midwife, nothing more.”