0 comments/ 91270 views/ 11 favorites Home Is The Sailor By: J G Parkes Joe Harper whistled cheerfully as he walked along the narrow cobbled street. He was a harpooner on a whale-ship just returned from a highly successful voyage to the Davis Straits. He felt happy to be ashore again and looked forward to a few months at home. Home. The very word brought a smile to his lips. Until the previous winter he had been of no fixed address, sleeping in any place he could find, often in a whore's room. He was a favourite with three or four. His money, so hard-earned, was usually spent on drink and women, leaving nothing in his pocket when he went back to sea. But now it was different. Last winter he had met Ann Lubbock and the two of them had fallen in love. He couldn't believe it. Joe Harper in love. She had taken him into her house and heart when he was blind drunk and sadly in need of help. On board ship his thoughts frequently turned to Ann and her young son, Jim, who was 9 years old. The boy had willingly accepted him as a father. When Joe had reluctantly left for another voyage Ann was pregnant. Now he was home. He opened the door and entered the house, abruptly stopping his whistling at the sight that greeted him. Sitting in the chair before the fire - his chair - was a powerfully built fellow with a brutish face made worse by a livid scar on his cheek. Two other men, of similar mien, were sitting at the table. Ann was bending by the cooking pot and she straightened up as Joe entered. Her left eye was blackened and puffy; on her chin was the purple of a bruise. The baby, which Joe had yet to see, was crying in a rough cot hastily made by Joe before he left. Jim, looking miserable and afraid, cowered in a corner. "What the devil....!" exclaimed Joe. "Who the bloody hell are you?" The man rose up to his full and impressive height. "I might ask that of you, bursting into me house like that." "Your house?" Joe, bewildered, looked at Ann. With her eyes cast down she nodded agreement. "Emmanuel Lubbock, that's me name. This here's me wife, Annie, and that milksop over there is me son, Jim. 'course, you've already met, ain't you? As for the babby...." Lubbock rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. "I don't rightly know where that little bastard come from." Joe lunged forward. "No!" cried Ann. "Not me," Lubbock continued, "that's for sure. I bin away on business." In fact, he had been transported for seven years for the crime of Assault. Joe knew all about him, but fully expected him to have disappeared to Australia for ever. Instead, as with most transportees, Lubbock had got no further than a Hulk moored on the Thames. After four years and three months he was released on licence. And now he was back home, completely unreformed and as vicious as before. "Now then, sir," Lubbock said, with mock politeness. "May I enquire who you might be, walking into a man's home and castle, as you might say, without so much as a by your leave?" "You know damned well," growled Joe. "What you been doing to her?" He indicated the bruises on Ann's face. "What any wronged husband is entitled to do to his own wife. And I done summat else, too. A wife needs beating to keep her under control, but she needs pleasuring, as well. I makes sure she gets plenty o' both." Joe took an uncertain step forward. "Annie...." "You keep away from her," snarled Lubbock, picking up a fire iron. His two friends came to their feet. "No, Mannie," pleaded Ann. "Please, Joe, get out before he does for you." "I can't leave you to him." "Then you can bloody stay and get what's coming to you." Lubbock advanced towards Joe, the iron bar raised above his head. "Run, Joe! Run!" screamed Ann. Joe hesitated. "Ann....." "Run, Joe! Run!" Another moment of hesitation then Joe gave a roar and rushed towards Lubbock, ducking low and avoiding the swing of the iron bar. The big man was nearly knocked off his feet as Joe thumped into him, but soon recovered, dropped the bar and wrapped his arms round his assailant. It was an uneven struggle. Even without the help of his friends Lubbock quickly ended the attack and Joe was laid out on the floor in a semi-conscious state. It was five minutes before he roused and became aware of his situation. He was tied hand and foot to a chair with the three men grouped around him. He could see Ann and Jim over by the stove, terrified and clutching each other. Lubbock bent forward, putting his face close to Joe's. "Thought you'd move in, did yer? Thought my dear Annie and loving son needed someone to protect them from this wicked world. An' you put a bun in the oven before you left just to make sure her bed would still be warm for you. Di'n't you?" Lubbock thumped Joe in the stomach to emphasise the point. "Let him go," Ann pleaded. "Please, Mannie. I'll do anything" "Too right you bloody will." Lubbock crossed over to her, grabbed Jim by the arm and thrust him away into a corner. "Get down there and stay with your mouth shut. Get it?" The boy dumbly nodded, his eyes wide with fright. "Now you." Lubbock addressed his wife. "Bin having a fine old time while I've bin shut away, haven't yer? Bin entertaining our friend here." He indicated Joe. "Well, now you can entertain the three of us." Ann gasped in horror. Joe squirmed and pulled against the ropes holding him down, but all to no avail. The knots were too tight. "No, Mannie. I'll be nice to you when we're alone...nice as you like, but let Joe go and send the others away." "You're not getting away with it that bloody easy, woman. Get them clothes off." "Please..." "Don't be shy. I've seen it all before - an' so has good old Joe. As for my two friends...well, let's face it, you've got nothing diff'rent from a thousand whores they've seen. Now be quick about it or I'll lay this about that cuckolding bastard's head." He held up the iron bar. "He won't be so pretty for yer then." Ann tearfully began to unbutton her blouse. Underneath was a shift which completely covered her breasts, still somewhat enlarged after the birth of her second child. She took off the blouse, pausing only briefly before unfastening her skirt and dropping it to the ground. The shift reached below her knees. Beneath it were full length drawers. She stepped out of the skirt. Lubbock was glaring at her whilst Joe was still struggling against his bonds. The two friends were licking their lips in anticipation of the delights to come. Despite having to work hard all her life and living close to poverty, Ann was a good-looking woman, with a neat and shapely figure almost devoid of excess fat. She was, in fact, a far tastier morsel than either man was used to and they were already sporting erections as they gazed at her. Ann hesitated. "Hurry it up," growled Lubbock. "At least put Jim outside, Mannie. Don't let him see this. He's only a nipper." "What d'you think, lads? Should we oblige the lady?" "Aye," said the uglier of the two heavyweights. They were both ugly, but he took the prize. "Truth to tell," enjoined the second. "I might be put off me stride having the kid watching." Lubbock grinned. "Wouldn't want that, would we?" He turned to the boy still cowering in the corner. "All right. Get out." "Go to Mrs Turney's," said Ann. "Just tell her I'm busy with your dad and need you from under me feet." Lubbock laughed. "Yeh, that's good. She'll get the picture. Run!" He stamped his foot. Jim scuttled out. "Right, now that's settled, let's be having your shift off. Let the lads see what you've got to offer. Survey the goods, like." "You bastard!" yelled Joe. Lubbock turned on him, waving the iron bar. "Shut your bloody mouth unless you want a taste o' this." "Don't hurt him," cried Ann. "That's up to you. Get on with it." She undid the ribbons of her shift and dropped it down, revealing her breasts to the men. She stepped out of it, kicked it to one side and then unfastened her drawers. There was no point in delaying the inevitable. She pulled them down below her bottom before sitting on a chair to pull them off. Throwing them on the bed she slowly stood, her eyes on the ground. "There you are, lads. All yours." "For God's sake, Lubbock, have some respect for your wife," Joe shouted. "Shut it!" The two men slowly circled Ann, who was trembling with embarrassment, shame and fear. They were undoing their trousers. Ugly was the first to bring out his cock, closely followed by Uglier. They were both fully aroused at the mere sight of their prize and anticipation of pleasures to come. Ann was not aroused at all. Her vulva felt dry and closed; she knew the cocks entering her would cause a lot of pain. Suddenly, with one accord, the two men began to struggle out of their trousers, almost comical in their haste, hopping from one leg to the other and nearly falling. Ann might have laughed at the sight of them, but the situation was too serious. At last they were free of their garments and came to her, one on either side. "On your knees, whore," growled Ugly. She did as commanded. Her face was on a level with both cocks. She knew what was expected. She ran her hands over the swollen pricks and then took one in her mouth, whilst still stroking the other. After a few moments of sucking and licking she transferred to the second rampant phallus. Did it belong to Ugly or Uglier? It didn't really matter. She took it as far in as she could, but it was too big to take it all. At least, she thought it was. He suddenly thrust himself forward and the cock hit the back of her throat, making her gasp and choke. He kept thrusting in and out, pumping until he must surely come. But that's not what he wanted and to Ann's relief he pulled out. She gagged and fought for air. "Come on, whore." The first man pushed his cock towards her mouth and she reluctantly slid her lips over it. "My turn." It seemed like an eternity as Ann went from one cock to the other, licking and sucking. Surely they must finish and maybe her torment would be ended. But although both men seemed permanently on the verge of spewing out their semen into her mouth, neither did. She was unceremoniously hauled onto her feet and pushed over the back of the chair. "Spread your legs and let's see your cunny." Fingers roughly kneaded her labia, pinching and squeezing them. She gritted her teeth and remained silent. In another moment her vagina was invaded by a large, fully roused cock that thrust deeply all the way into her. It hurt. My God, how it hurt, but she didn't cry out. She wouldn't give them that satisfaction. The cock pushed in and out with an ever increasing ferocity. "This is good, isn't it, whore?" yelled the cock's owner. "You're bloody enjoying it, aren't you?" In. "Aren't you, whore?" Out. She was silent. In. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. Out. "Say you're enjoying being fucked by me." In. "Say it!" Out. Her head was pulled back further, stretching her throat and sending spasms of pain down her back. In. "I'm enjoying it," gasped Ann. Out. "You want me to fuck you harder, don't you, whore?" "I want you to fuck me harder." He proceeded to do just that, hammering into her like a beast possessed. Joe was unable to watch. The horror of Ann's abuse was too much for him. Helpless and incapable of helping her there was nothing he could do except close his eyes and try to blot out the rape. Suddenly his head was clamped between two large, rough hands holding it in a vice-like grip. "Open your eyes, Joe, an' watch your whore being given what she's begging for. You're not man enough for a woman like her. She needs two or three at a time. Mebbe more. I'll see what I can do later. Watch her enjoy it." Sharp pains in his head forced Joe's eyes open. It was obvious the first man had reached his climax and was shooting sperm into Ann's pussy. His face was twisted, his body rigid and the thrusts were now no more than short jerks as he emptied his seed into her. She remained silent. "For fuck's sake, let me get in her!" shouted the second man, who had been rubbing his cock while watching. He was about to come. They quickly changed places and Ann felt the second cock slide into her with much less pain this time. Her natural juices had begun to flow. He was only able to make half a dozen quick thrusts before his semen poured out. He pushed as deep as he could. She remained silent. Joe felt sick. Forced to witness the violent rape of the woman he loved his reaction had been a mixture of horror, shame and excitement. He had actually got a hard-on and was in danger of coming in his trousers. More than anything he wanted to plunge his tool into the soft warmth of Ann's cunt, feeling the lips close around him. God, how perverted could he get? "That's it, lads, you've had your fun," said Lubbock. "Now it's my turn." He unfastened his trousers and took them off. "But I've bin shut away for over four years. Not had the chance of a woman. Only men on the Hulks. A man's only got one hole. I got kind o' used to that." "That's it, Mannie," Ugly gleefully shouted. "Give it to her up the arse." "Lubbock!" Joe gave an anguished cry. "No, Mannie," pleaded Ann. "Use my cunny. Please. You're too big. You'll tear me apart." Lubbock said nothing but just grinned; an evil grin. He grabbed Ann by the neck and pushed her head down, doubling her over the chair. He put his finger on the bud of her anus and twisted it. "Mannie!" Ann gave a cry of despair. She could no longer be silent. He pushed his finger into her anus and she screamed. Worse was to come. His fingers were big, but they didn't compare to his fully-erect cock. There was no gentleness when he entered her; no thought of the damage he might be doing. Or maybe there was. Maybe he did it deliberately, knowing that his wife would be in extreme pain. She screamed and clutched the edge of the chair, her knuckles white with the ferocity of her grip. She did, indeed, feel as if she was being torn apart. The pain was overwhelming. She briefly blacked-out, giving her some relief from the agony, but became conscious again all too soon. She screamed. Again and again she screamed. At last it was over. Lubbock emptied himself and pulled out, bringing blood and mess with him. Ann was nothing more than a rag doll who flopped down over the back of the chair, incapable of doing anything but sob. Joe was ashen and there was a trembling deep in the pit of his stomach. There was no fight in him when his bonds were released. The two thugs unceremoniously hauled him onto his feet. "Now get out," growled Lubbock. "An' don't let me see you round here again or it'll be the worse for you. And her." He jerked his finger in Ann's direction. "We might have to give her more of the same. What d'you say, lads?" "Next time I'll take her up the arse," said Uglier. They all laughed. Lubbock booted Joe out of the door and slammed it shut. He ran. Pursued by Lubbock's laughter. He ran. Haunted by Ann's sobs. He ran. Tormented by the cries of the baby. He ran....down the narrow court and out into the street. He ran....with wild shouts of agony and anger and shame. He ran....until he dropped with the blood pounding in his head and a knife-like pain searing his chest. At that moment he wished that he had died in the bleakness of the Arctic ice. ***** "You're sitting there feeling bloody sorry for yourself. Well, that don't impress me." The girl applied some rouge to her cheek. "If you was any kind of man you'd stand up for yourself....and for your lass." The last thing Joe wanted was a lecture and a reminder of his cowardly action of the previous day. He was sick at heart as well as in the stomach after spending the entire evening drowning his sorrows. It was all he could think to do and now he felt thoroughly ashamed at having deserted Ann when she so obviously needed help. There was Jim to consider, too, and of course, the baby....Joe's own child. He had let them all down. "Lay off me, Mary," he muttered, unable to excuse or defend himself. "I should lay into you, more like," was the sharp retort. "I had a lot of time for you, Joe Harper, but not now. You've let her down good and proper, and no mistake." Joe pulled himself off the couch, lurching slightly as he stood on his feet. "Now look, I don't have to listen to this." "No, and you didn't have to bleeding well come here, but you did, 'cos you thought you'd get a bit of comfort. But I'm not playing, see? You've got your own woman now and you walked out on her." "She's married, for God's sake, and her husband's come back. They're married, fair and square. He's got the law on his side. He can do what he likes with her and there's nothing I can do to stop him. You should see him....twice as big as me. And there was two of his friends. There's nothing I could do. I had a go, but they was too much for me." "Oh God....Joe." Mary looked at him with pity. "What a bleeding mess you've got yourself into, haven't you? Didn't you ever stop to think her husband might come back?" "We never talked about him. I suppose I thought he were dead." "You mean, you preferred not to think about him at all." Joe sank back onto the couch with a groan. He knew Mary was right in what she said. He had chosen to close his eyes to the true situation; he had been living with a married woman who still owed allegiance to her husband, even if he had been transported. Before he met Ann his relationship with women had been purely sexual and often bought. Marriage and a family had never entered into the scheme of things and he expected to end his days as an old bachelor sea-dog, if he managed to live that long. But now it was different; now he wanted the responsibility of a wife and home. "God, Mary, what the hell can I do?" "Sober up and start thinking for a change. I've heard there's a big world out beyond the limits of this town. Bigger than this country, even, and a lot of people are going out to find it. A man and a woman with a couple of kids could get lost in it. Just think about that." Mary put on her coat. "You going out?" asked Joe, dully. "To see me bank manager," said the girl, cheerfully. "I'm saving up to buy me own brothel!" ***** Ann grimaced as the man banged his cock into her pussy. They were in a small alcove off a narrow alley. Her skirt was pulled up around her waist and she wore no drawers, all the better to do business. After the rape in her own home Lubbock had turned her into a real whore, sending her out onto the street to earn money for rent and food. At least, that's what he claimed, but in truth he drank away the money she earned, taking to his old life as a fish takes to water. The hard cock inside her suddenly gushed out sperm, filling her cunt. It wouldn't be long before one of these bastards made her pregnant. She took certain precautions, but there was no sure way. The man, breathing heavily after his exertions, pulled out of her and she straightened her skirt. "Thanks, love." He quickly disappeared along the alley. At least he was polite and did the business without any frills, messing about or excessive demands. She counted the money in her purse. Probably enough for the day. She needed to have extra so she could hide it from Mannie, otherwise he'd drink away the lot. That meant she had to take on at least two extra customers from the number he would expect. It was hard, exhausting work, as well as being completely degrading. Making sure her clothes were in order she left the alley Ann tried to forget the happiness which had so briefly been hers and resign herself to the misery of the present situation, but it was difficult to dismiss Joe completely from her mind. They had not seen each other since he had run out three months earlier, leaving her at the mercy of the beast she had married. The sailor had hardly proved to be a hero, yet Ann did not like him the less for that. To have attacked Mannie would have achieved nothing and might have resulted in death or injury. No, it was best this way. Home Is The Sailor So completely wrapped up in her thoughts was she that Ann failed to notice a figure standing in the shelter of a doorway. A woman stepped out into her path. "On the game, are you?" Ann looked up, startled. "What?" "Lubbock's got you working the streets. Not cut out for it, are you?" "Who...who are you?" "I got a message for you - from Joe." At the sound of the name Ann gasped and looked round in fear, as if her husband might be standing close enough to hear. "Is he all right?" she asked. "Could be better, but he's bearing up. He's just got back from sea and he's staying at my place." Ann looked uncertain. "Your place?" "Yeh, you're right. You won't find any respectable ladies there, but plenty of men." "Oh....I see." "Do you, love?" asked the woman, quietly. "Has....has Joe stayed with you before?" "Off and on over the years. Got on real well together, but I've not seen so much of him since he met this married woman and fell in love with her. Now her husband's come back and Joe's in a mess. You wouldn't know her, by any chance?" "I'm her," admitted Ann, quietly. "Thought you might be." "Has he been staying with you since...since...." "The night he ran off and left you to it? Never stops kicking himself for that; been drinking too much, as well. No, I told you....he's just back from sea." "But, it isn't the whaling season." "Yeh, I know. He's been on a merchantman, making money. Reckons he needs all the money he can get so he can buy passages for you all across to America." "America?" A gleam of hope sparked in Ann's heart, but it was quickly snuffed out. "It's impossible. How can we get away?" "Your husband likes a drop or two of good old English ale, don't he?" "Yes." "Goes out ev'ry night and pays a visit to the Jug." "That's right." "We've been watching him, you see," explained the woman. "We?" queried Ann. "Some of the girls and the lads from his ship. They're going to be in the Jug tonight when your husband comes. He'll find himself very popular. Get a round bought for him, you see.....mebbe two. Then along comes little me. I takes him to my place and when he comes to in the morning he'll find no fam'ly at home." Ann gripped the woman's arm. "You'll do this for me?" "No, love....for Joe. He's a good sort, and we're not going to let that bastard husband of yours get away with it. Are you game?" "Of course. Thank you. Thanks to all of you." "First light tomorrer, then. I'll come for you." "We'll be ready." Ann could hardly contain her excitement as she returned home, but she knew she must do nothing to alert Mannie. She collected the baby from a neighbour and went into the house to find Jim hunched into a corner, crying softly. His lip was cut and bleeding. "What's up?" she asked her husband who was in his usual seat in front of the fire. "He gave me cheek and wouldn't do as he was bid, so I taught him a lesson," growled Mannie. "You want to be careful of them fists of yours," said Ann, carefully placing the baby on the bed. "They got you into trouble once before an' they'll do it again." "You hold your tongue, woman!" He rose from his chair with an unexpected speed, grabbed her wrist, and twisted her arm. "You're hurting me, Mannie!" screamed Ann. "I'll hurt you a damn sight more if you don't keep quiet." He gripped her hair and pulled back her head so she was looking into his face. "Have you got summat for me?" Ann thrust several coins at him. He looked at them in the palm of his hand. "Not bad. I never thought you'd make such a good whore. If I'd known before I'd have had you on the streets soon as we was married." He grabbed her breast making her cry out in pain. "Hope you're not getting to like it too much." Ann shook her head. "Not much fear of that, Mannie." "Don't think I've forgot the way you behaved while I was away. I could bloody kill you for that - and him." "You don't care enough," gasped Ann, fighting the pain in her breast. "I got me pride," said Lubbock. He released his grip and pushed her away. Jim was still whimpering in the corner and Ann went to comfort him. The cut was worse than she thought and she quickly got a bowl of water and a cloth to bathe the wound. She could hardly contain her impatience during the hour before her husband's departure and it seemed as if time had stood still. She even began to wonder whether he was going to break his habit and stay in, but eventually he went to the door. Without a word he left the house and Ann breathed a sigh of relief. ***** The Jug was crowded. Several of Joe's shipmates had been patiently waiting for two hours, but there was no sign of their quarry. They were beginning to grow anxious. "Mebbe we should go round to his house and make sure the missus is all right," said a man with two fingers missing. "We can't do that," said Mary. "If he's there we'll alarm him." "What do we do?" asked another, short but wiry. "We can't stay here all night." "Mebbe we should split up and start searching the other ale houses." "That won't do no good. None of us don't know what the bastard looks like," snarled a third. He had the appearance of a pirate with gold earrings. "Big and ugly with a scar on his face," said Mary. "Joe pointed him out to me." "Look around you. Half the blokes in here fit that description." "Are you sure he isn't one of 'em?" "Positive." "God, what are we going to tell Joe? he'll go spare." Ann had packed a few belongings for herself and the children and was anxiously waiting for the first few streaks of light in the sky. Jim and the baby were asleep, but she dare not close her eyes. The fire was low and she was sitting with a blanket wrapped round her, fighting the desire to sleep and trying to keep her head calm and clear. America. It was a long way off, but that was all to the good. Mannie would never be able to find them there. She and the children would be safe. Despite her valiant efforts she must have dozed off because she woke with a start as the door crashed open. She gasped. Standing there, swaying from side to side, was the huge figure of her husband. He slammed the door shut, waking the baby who began to cry. "What....what are you doing here?" asked Ann, without thinking. "It's me home, ain't it?" Mannie replied, thickly. "And you're me dear little wife. Why shouldn't I be here? Where you expect me to be?" "Didn't you go to the Jug?" "Not tonight. Had business to do in the Britannia." Ann felt faint. "What sort of business?" she managed to ask. "Nowt to do with you," came the brusque reply. "Why ain't you in bed?" "I.....I couldn't sleep." "Looks like you're dressed to go out," said Mannie, suspiciously. "No....no, not really. I was feeling cold and this is a warmer dress, that's all." She had to get his mind off the subject. Setting aside her fear and loathing she walked slowly towards him, unbuttoning her dress. "Now you're here," she said, softly, "I won't need no clothes to keep me warm will I?" Mannie narrowed his eyes in lustful appraisal of his wife's figure. He pulled her close and she offered her lips for a kiss. The foul smell of ale on his breath was overwhelming, but she tried to ignore it. She could feel his cock against her thigh and it wasn't rigid enough to enter her. Dropping to her knees she unbuttoned his trousers and pulled them down. She began to caress and suck at the instrument of her 'pleasure'. It was more torture than pleasure. It didn't take long for his cock to be hard. She lay back, taking her weight onto her shoulders as she pulled her drawers down over her bottom. He stood over her and watched, his hand stroking his tool, as she freed her legs from restricting clothes. She spread herself wide revealing her vulva and then fingered herself, parting the lips, all the better for him to see. With an animal grunt he fell upon her, the rigid cock having little difficulty in locating the waiting hole. It slid in and Lubbock pressed as hard as he could against her mound, grinding her with uncontrollable lust. It was difficult for her not to react to a large cock inside her and the circular movements being made. Her juices were flowing. God forgive her and she hated herself for it, but she was responding. She tried to close her mind to his actions and think what she could do to get herself and the children away. Mannie was drunk, but not too drunk to be unaware of their departure. She might be able to make it with Jim, for he was old enough to appreciate the danger, but the baby........ Suddenly she gasped as her body gave in completely and she climaxed. At the same time Lubbock groaned as his cock finally shed its load. He went limp. It was over. He lay on top of her for a few moments then rolled off, but stayed where he was, exhausted by both drink and sex. Ann slowly rose, trying not to disturb him, pulled on her drawers and fastened her dress. The baby was still crying. "Shut the brat's face or I'll do it meself," snarled Lubbock. Ann picked up the baby and began to rock it gently in her arms, at the same time singing softly. So engrossed was she that she failed to notice Jim stealthily climb out of bed and go towards the table. His father was still stretched out on the floor, eyes closed and the beginnings of a snore coming from his open mouth. The boy silently picked up a large kitchen knife from the table and stood over the sleeping man. He slowly raised the knife........ "No, Jim!" Ann had turned round just in time. Her scream made the boy freeze and woke the man. "What.....? What the bloody hell's going on?" Lubbock scrambled to his feet and grabbed Jim's wrist. The boy dropped the knife and squealed in pain. "Trying to do for me, was you?" Lubbock forced his son backwards over the table, one powerful hand now gripping the small throat. "No, Mannie!" cried Ann. "Leave him be! He's your own lad...only nine years old." "How do I know whose lad he be?" roared Lubbock, squeezing ever harder. "You've had one bastard while I was away....why not this one?" Jim was gurgling, his face going purple. Ann almost threw the baby down on the bed and pulled frantically at her husband's arm. "Stop, Mannie! You'll swing for it, sure as God." The door suddenly burst open. "Let the lad be!" Lubbock released his grip on the boy and turned to see Joe standing in the doorway. "Keep out of this." "Not this time. I turned me back once before, but there's no running again. I'm taking Ann and the lads to America; starting a new life. It's all arranged and I'm not going to let you stop us." Lubbock grinned. "You and who else?" he sneered. "Me and my friends," replied Joe. He stepped aside to reveal several tough looking whale-men waiting outside in the court. "Go on, lass," said Joe. "You've no need to fear. Take the baby and walk right out into the street. Nowt's going to happen. I'll see to Jim." Ann cast a frightened look at her husband, then quickly did as she was told, two of the men going with her. Joe went across to the table where the boy was still laid, coughing and spluttering, trying to catch his breath. "Come on, lad. Let's be having you." As he bent over Jim, Lubbock lunged forward, pushing aside two whale-men, and lashed out with his huge fist, hitting the smaller man so hard he reeled away across the room. In a blind, unreasoning fury, Lubbock pursued his enemy, delivering several heavy blows and splitting his nose wide open. Joe's flailing arms caught a lamp and sent it flying onto the bed, drenching the covers in oil. Flames raced up the curtains and eagerly seized upon the rough wooden beams which fed their voracious appetite. The pirate sprang into action, seizing Lubbock, pulling him back, while two others dashed in and plucked up Joe. "Let's get out of here!" "The whole place is going up!" "It's a bloody tinderbox!" Coughing and spluttering, they fought their way through smoke and flame, dragging Joe out into the cold night air of the court, already glowing red from the inferno. Doors and windows were being opened on all sides and people were rushing from their houses. "Bastard!" yelled Lubbock, as he struggled with the pirate. Suddenly the floorboards beneath his feet gave way and he collapsed onto the blazing bed, his hand clutching at the pirate for support. A wall of flame engulfed them both. The fire quickly spread throughout the length of the room. Thick black smoke curled its way from corner to corner, from ceiling to floor. In less than two minutes the whole house was ablaze, the flames reaching up through the roof into the dark night sky. When daylight dawned there was nothing left of the Lubbock house except a smouldering ruin. The houses on each side were both badly damaged and blackened with smoke. Little was to be found of Emmanuel Lubbock or the pirate except a few charred remains and two gold earrings. A thin mist clung to the muddy waters of the river as a ship sailed down towards the sea at the start of a routine voyage across the Atlantic to America. In the bow stood a little family, holding each other tightly and steadfastly gazing ahead to a new and better life.