Letter to Capt. Grimstock

Capt. Grimstock

Please accept my profound apology for my most tardy response to your letters. We were sacked by the British frigate HMS Serapis at the delta of the great rivers Willamette and Columbia. The ball-buggering bastards commandeered my ship and clapped my crew in irons, leaving me with nary a copper to my name. Your gracious gift of the gentleman's surcoat and vest was most opportune as I escaped their prison wearing neither a stitch nor skin upon myself. The rendezvous planned for 19 September will provide a suitable host to refit a hale ship and hearty crew.

As you are in the tropical climes of the southern hemisphere I would strongly advise you to procure a cache of beans from the coffee tree either by fair trade or frenzy as the natives in these parts are most taken with the black drink brewed from the beans. Such a shipment would fetch you a handsome prize.

The time of the great gathering draws near. Make haste along the Pacific Coast for this time of year the winds shall be to your favor, but take heed when you reach the estuary of the Columbia as its mouth is most ravenous and swallows whole fleets without satisfaction. So foul are the waters that even Davy lets lost souls sink to the bottom of the Pacific Graveyard without toll. Study the breakers and watch for shallows. Beware the fog as it will roll upon you no forewarning. Wait for slack waters then stay true to the deepest channel.

Once in safe waters you may wish to refit at Tongue Point Village thirteen miles past the bar on the south bank of the river. From there continue upstream sixty-five miles to the Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River. Avoid the Main Channel as the British have established a fortification on the north bank of the Columbia in the towne of Vancouver, where they patrol the Main and exercise a tax upon vessels commuting to the Columbia and beyond. Instead take the smaller Multnomah Channel which on the starboard side sits amid Suavie Island and the mainland. The island heaves into view as a massive foul swamp covered with every manner of rough bird and beast. Loose your ballast, draw in your sheets and set your keenest helmsman to wheel as the channel is narrow, twisting and shallow but overlooked by the British. Once past the channel you have a mere two miles for the rendezvous at the great green cathedral. There I shall look forward to spilling a great draught of rum with you.

Yours sincerely,

Capt. Patrick Fyre