The House Of Crow Collection

18. San Diego Reunion

Hernando Batista sat near the back of the whaleboat, out of the way of the sailors rowing it. He enjoyed the smell of the ocean and the sounds of the gulls. The gulls had found a school of fish and were noisily arguing with some pelicans over feeding rights. The ship, The Boston Queen, had arrived from the East Coast to deliver goods and pick up hides and tallow. Ships from America and Europe often traveled up and down the Coast of California for up to two years, picking up hides and tallow, before returning to the East Coast. The Boston Queen"s captain, Jason King, had made the trip twice before. He and Hernando had become friends. Hernando adjusted the package that he had placed between his feet. He was pleased with himself. The wine was made from grapes from his vineyard. It was a gift for his friend, Captain King.

The Boston QueenThe Boston Queen"sThe Boston Queen sat a cable"s length offshore in the calm San Diego waters. When they arrived, Captain King, a short man with bull-like proportions, was waiting. A crew member lowered a basket over the side. Hernando placed his gift in the basket. Both Hernando and the basket arrived on deck at the same time.

The Boston QueenWith his feet firmly planted, Hernando took the steel-like handshake of his friend, followed by a crushing bear hug. “Welcome aboard, my friend! Come, we"ll go to my cabin.”

In the captain"s cabin below deck, the two friends sat at a small table. King removed the wicker covered bottle from the packaging and placed it at the center of the table. “What do we have here?” He asked.

“That is a red wine made from grapes from my vineyards. It was a near perfect harvest. The wine, I think, is superb.”

King went to a cabinet and retrieved two glasses. He brought them back to the table and took a seat across from Hernando. Hernando stood and removed the seal and the cork from the mouth of the bottle. Carefully, he picked up the bottle and filled a glass half full. After he set the bottle down, he handed the glass to King. King smelled the wine, took a sip, savored the flavor and swallowed. Smacking his lips, he looked up at Hernando and declared, “This is delicious! You are a true friend! Please, fill our glasses, and let us drink to our reunion!”

A short time later, after a couple more glasses of the wine, King stood up. He went to a wooden sea chest and opened it. Removing a large package, the captain brought it to the table. Moving the bottle of wine and the glasses to one side, he placed the box on the table. “I think you will be pleased with this. My Mrs. had it made, using the dress you sent for size.”

Hernando carefully opened the package. The silk fabric of the dress appeared like a white mist. Embroidered over the surface were small flowers made of fine red and green thread. “It is wonderful. Francisca will be pleased.”

King went back to the chest and returned with a smaller package. “This is a gift from the Mrs. and me. It is a gift for your daughter on this special occasion. I picked up the silk in China, and the Mrs. did the needlework.”

Taking the package, Hernando opened it to find a square, velvet-covered box with a gold latch. Slipping the lock, he opened it. Neatly layered were several silk handkerchiefs of different colors. Flowers and white doves were uniquely embroidered on each. Hernando fought the emotions that constricted his chest. Closing the box and slipping the latch closed, he said, “You have done so much, how can I ever repay you?”

“There is one thing which I desire.”

“Name it, and it is yours.”

“My ship will be here for several weeks. I wish to join you in your celebration.”

“It is done! We will celebrate together! My wife and daughter will be so pleased to thank you personally.”

“Let us have another drink, and then you can catch the next boat going to shore.”