HF - 01 - Caribee by Christopher Nicole

at court, too often.'
    Then you risk yourself, my lord, in coming out here,' Edward Warner observed.
    'Saving that no one outside this room knows that I am here, Mr Warner, which is exactly why I made my visit in this manner. But I care li tt le for myself, in this ma tt er. For good or ill, Tom has been my friend for twenty years. I would he thought enough of me to take my advice.'
    'Which would ber" Tom demanded.
    Warwick sighed, and shuffled his feet once again, and glanced at Winthrop.
    'You'll remember John Carver, Tom?"
    ‘I remember his name. Did he not flee to Holland to avoid the hangman? ’
    Winthrop nodded. 'Leyden. With many others of his belief.'
    'Puritans,' Edward Warner mu tt ered.
    Their numbers grow, daily. And not all take themselves to Holland.'
    ‘I do believe you're one yourself, at heart, John,' Tom smiled.
    ‘I believe in liberty of conscience, Tom. And so do you. As for the other, the worship of God is too precious a possession to be submerged beneath acres of incense and stained glass, to be managed by men who think more of the burden on their table than the burden on their souls.'
    'Mr Winthrop,' Warwick said. ‘I did not come this distance for a religious dissertation, sir. Indeed, I shall pretend I heard not one of your words, and will be obliged if you would start again. But if I may give you a word of advice, as a friend, even Christ prescribed that a man should render unto Caesar what is his. So do you a tt end the church on a Sunday, and for the rest of the week believe what you will'
    Winthrop's turn to sigh. 'Yes, my lord. I did not mean to embarrass you. The fact is, Tom, Carver and his associates would leave Holland. They fear that they will become Hollanders themselves, and all appearances to the contrary, he is as loyal an Englishman as yourself. And besides, this dreadful war in Germany comes too close, with Spinola on the march. Carver has obtained a grant of lands in north America.'
    'Virginia,' Tom said, with contempt to equal his brother's.
    'Not so. Farther north.'
    The man's a fool. If Raleigh with all his experience could not make a success of the Virginia colony, where will Carver make a success of a less hospitable clime? And there is not the slightest chance of his discovering gold there.'
    'He does not seek gold,' Winthrop observed, patiently. 'Nor even wealth. He seeks a place a man may live, and be healthy, and worship God as he chooses, begging your pardon, my lord.'
    'And you'd invite me to ship with a Puritan? John, did I not know you so well I'd take offence'
    'He has need of fighting men,' Winthrop observed mildly. 'You'll have met John Smith?'
    'An adventurer'
    'A good man to have at your side, in a set to. But Smith has none of your experience, Tom. Now hear me out. My lord of Warwick feels that it would be a wise thing for you to leave England. Carver's band is the best available means at this moment and it is a se tt led ma tt er. They have even procured a ship. They will not turn back now. But Carver is not your future, Tom. I will let you into a secret. I also seek a grant, and it will not long be delayed, now. There will have to be money spent on it, but it shall be done'
    'You, John? You'd give up all this?'
    'All what? A few farms? A certain solidity which all but stifles me?" He raised his hand. ‘I 'll say no more, my lord. Suffice it is that I see my future home in America. But it will take me a few years yet to prepare, and I doubt you have that long, Tom. Go with Carver, but be ready to join me when I call for you. You'll have experience of the terrain, of the conditions, of the aboriginals. You'll be my right arm, Tom.'
    'You have the devil's own tongue,' Tom mu tt ered, and glanced at Warwick.
    The nobleman shrugged. 'Mr Winthrop and I agree that it would be best for you to leave England, certainly, Tom, and I further agreed to allow him first application for your services. But you are right in your estimation of the northern part of the Americas.