LAST ASSAULT ON OAK ISLAND 10

Chapter 10

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Both Carlos and Rudy shared Lauren's opinion of Miles' behavior when she told them about the Wednesday night visit the next day. Carlos insisted they adhere to their original plan: This was merely a visit to an old friend who happened to live next to the Money Pit.

Lauren agreed, but the subject did not sit well with her.

Carlos' work on the Brielle diary progressed steadily the next few days. The work was slow due to the admiral's exaggerated style and constant griping about the crew, ship, and even Stuart. He was especially disgruntled when the ship's store of tobacco was depleted.

Lauren sat at Carlos' elbow in the afternoon sun, making notes and sharing the curator's perception of the admiral. It was not until they reached an entry dated in late May of 1777 that the diary mentioned Brielle and Stuart going ashore. For two pages and eight days they had been in Mahone Bay. Brielle wrote of two other islands he and Stuart considered, but they were dismissed without even being named.

Carlos read aloud. "Brielle and Stuart take a three-man crew to the cove, seaward of Port Gloucester. Make a map, Lauren. That's good," he said as she deftly outlined a sketch of the island. "Now, they landed at what is now Smith's Cove." He read silently for several long moments.

"'The savages residing on the other isles were a curious lot,'" he finally read aloud. "'Fortunately they have the courtesy not to inhabit our choice of port. We have seen so signs of other ships on the isle; I assume there is no reason to dock on this paltry spot of earth.'"

"He did see the Micmac," Lauren remarked.

"It would seem so." He pushed his glasses back on his nose. "But not on Oak Island. He goes on from there, jabbering about the red oaks and wildlife. Here . . . 'pocked with sinkholes and sand pits amid the clay earth. Stuart advises our fortune for these, but I hardly see the credit of such landmarks'. He says he and Stuart scout the island. They finally make a decision. New entry dated June 1. . . Stuart has drawn up preliminary plans, but Brielle disagrees with the designs. On what matter, he doesn't say. Brielle writes of the argument, but he finally agrees to one set of plans on the second day of the month. He even apologizes to Stuart."

"Why the sudden approval?"

Carlos read on, shaking his head. "Of course. It wasn't consent. Not our man Brielle. He says 'I have found a willing course to utilize my colleague's last draft. Only minimal effort will make the correct appearance. I must enlist Ensign Williams to my mind. He is a ready and useful fellow, and given easily to brandy. He shares my sentiments of the savages, and no tongues will wag.' Another conspirator. That was June 5."

She hurriedly finished her notes. "You want to request a crew list for the Lady Grey? We've worked with the British Naval Registry before with good results."

"Do that. Have we received anything from the estates yet?"

"No. Lewis checked this morning, Carlos. He said he'd bring any mail over immediately." She stood up. "Want some tea?"

"Hmm? Yes." His eyes followed the faded printing on the diary pages as she filled the kettle with water. When she sat down, he resumed dictating. "Williams has been sent to the mainland with other crew members. They bring 78 natives to Port Gloucester. Brielle doesn't say when Williams left, but it couldn't have been before the first."

"That's still June fifth?"

"Yes. New entry. Two days later, the seventh. He describes Stuart's plans as ingenious and resourceful. However, Brielle says the plans will not accommodate his own. He will 'put his mind to another course that will shun the pit completely.' Now take this down carefully on the back of the map. Hmm, let's see . . . 'inland from the cove, westward, heading opposite the sun at dawn. Stuart has the mind to make use of a wide sinkhole, a natural depression, to discourage curiosity, engulfed in a copse of oak.'" He read on to himself, frowning. "That's the only practical reference."

"He expected to find the pit again with that one phrase and the map?" She turned off the whistling kettle and made the tea, waiting for him to add something more to the entry—like coordinates.

"Brielle isn't overly concerned with the location of the actual pit because he doesn't plan to bury the payroll there." He carefully cleaned his glasses before proceeding. "Another new entry. June eighth. 'Stuart insists supervising the night shift. Twenty-four of the crew will work the depository under my watch. Ensign Williams today will govern the 40 heathen at Small Cove'. I would say that's our Smith's Cove. He also calls it South Cove."

She nodded as she sat down with their tea, her pen scratching a version of cryptic shorthand.

"'The clearing suits Stuart's plans. The sinkhole is widened to a breadth of about a rod.' That's about 15 feet." He read on silently, lips moving as his eyes traveled across the frayed page. "Seems that the hole was dug angled to one side, not in the middle of the clearing. The plans include a flood tunnel from Small Cove. Brielle is rambling now. Something about 'stitchery'. There is no new entry for two pages, but surely this cannot be a single day." He looked at the preceding page. "Well, we'll figure out his timetable later."

"Fire away."