Preface
Wilmington, North Carolina, early January 1865. The Civil War is in it`s last year and the city has the last harbour that connects the Confederacy to the open sea. Actually, the key to Wilmington`s harbour ist Fort Fisher, some miles down the river, that protects the river`s mouth. Around Christmas 1864, the Confederacy had been able to fight back an attack by the Union, but now, rumour has it that the North will launch another attack.
Chapter one
„So, the attack will be on the 13th?“, the mayor asked the man in the shabby grey uniform that stood in front of his desk. In earlier times, he would not have accepted ordinary soldiers in his private office, but the times had changed. The Union was pushing against the city from the north and from the west, knowing that without the supplies reaching the harbour, General Lee would suffer from severe problems.
„That`s what I could hear, sir“, the soldier answered, „There are dozens of ships in wait and they have already landed a great amount of men. They don`t seem to be very cautious in hiding their operations.“
„That`s because they don`t have to fear our defense any more. This time, they will take the fortress. And then, the harbour is worthless to us.“
The mayor remembered his duties as a host and offered a drink to the soldier who greedily emtied his glass. Then, after a deep sigh, he asked the man:
„Are there any ships that could break the blockade before the attack?“
Gravely, the soldiers shook his head.
„Most of them are damaged, or their Captains refuse to endanger their ships and crews.“ He spat out, obviously forgetting about where he was. „They are afraid of the death.“
„Because that`s what`s waiting for them. But, I remember having seen Whitty`s cutter at the docks this afternoon?“
The soldier nodded. Walther „the Weasel“ Whitty was a British sailor who had done several trips in and out the blocked harbour. He was a mercenary and he was expensive, but also, he was successful.
„Yes, he is there, but he will leave tomorrow by dawn and you can hardly call his boat a ship. It harly offers enough room for it`s crew!“
„For what I intend, it is big enough“, the mayor murmured, scratching his beard.
***
At the same time, a coach entered the court of a house nearby the harbour. Three persons hurried out of it as soon as the driver had stopped and went into the house. An observer might have noticed that two of these three persons were wearing grey uniforms whilst the other was hidden under a black cape with a hood. Obviously, this person was barefoot and trying to resist the two soldiers who carried her inside.
„Ah, thank you, just place her here by the fire“, a young man in a black suit ordered the two soldiers who quite unceremoneously dumped the hooded person onto an upholstered chair. The cloak opened and revealed a body that seemed to belong to a woman. One could not tell that exactly from the upper body, for it was covered by a grey canvas straight jacket that hid her forms. But the legs were that of a woman – a woman that was only wearing a black pair of knickers below the waist. These knickers were bisected in the middle by a tight leather strap that secured the straight jacket and cut into the woman`s crotch. Her head was covered by a tight leather hood that only left her nose free.
„Mmmph!“
„Ah, Miss O`Meare, you do remember my voice. Just a moment, I will take care of you as soon as I have paid your - entourage.“
He gave two little sacks to the two men who quickly counted the gold coins in it, then, they disappeared and after a minute, the sound of the leaving coach could be heard.
„You are sure surprised that we meet again, since you had planned giving the results of your last - research to your superiors – who are at the same time the enemy.“
„Uhhmmph! Nnnngg!“
Though she shook her head and protested, Winona O`Meare had to admit that the man, whom she recognized as Carl Stanton, the local sheriff, was right. Winona was an agent of the North and for the last eight months, she had sent quite valid information about the harbour and the fortifications through the enemy`s lines. Her disguise as a nurse at the lunatic`s asylum had been useful so far, but some two hours before, some men had taken her under arrest.
Winona shuddered when the men had stripped her to her camisole and knickers and had groped and touched her everywhere. They had pretended to search for hidden documents or codes, but, obviously, they also enjoyed touching the pretty redhead`s breasts and hips in the progress.
After an extensive research, they had put the straight jacket on her and forced the hood over her head. It had a leather plug that now filled her mouth and reduced her speech to some unintelligible grunting. Winona tried to raise, feeling the straight jacket`s crotch rope cut into the soft flesh between her legs.
„Oh, please, keep your seat. Since we already know each other, we don`t have to introduce to each other. I must say, your disguise had been quite convincing, even to me. It was not before Miss Knowles told me about her suspicions that I even imagined you could be something else then a harmless nurse.“
Now, Winona felt fear. Alinda Knowles and she had been colleagues at the „Special Branch“ - a secret departement of the War Office that tried to train young women into becoming spies. She and Alinda were of the same age (meaning that by now they both were 24) and had both grown up in New Yorks less well reputed quarters, but since 1858, they had followed the call of their nation and started their work as undercover agents. Their official job was to work as nurses and they had received a nurse`s training, but they also learned how to encode and decode notes, play a fake identity, etc.. The „Special Branch“ had always been considered as a playground for girls who tried to play boys, but when the war broke out, the War Office thought it could be useful to have some spies whom nobody would suspect to be enemy soldiers.
However, Alinda had chosen the other side. So, although they hadn`t seen for the last four years, Alinda had turned out to be some kind of a personal Nemesis to Winona. More than once, she had thwarted Alinda`s plans, or vice versa. By now, it seemed that Alinda had chosen the wrong side. The South would be defeated within the next months. But now, she was in the clutches of Alinda Knowles – bound and gagged.
„Well, your silence tells me that you remember Miss Knowles, too. So, since I am sure that our President wants to talk to you personally, we will have to get you to Richmond. In six hours, a ship will be leaving the harbour. It will not be easy to get you to our capital, even if the ship makes it out of the harbour, but it`s the only possibility I have so far. Unfortunately, I can`t leave my post and the ship`s Captain only agreed in taking women or children with him. So, Miss Knowles will take care of you. She will be here in a few hours, so, all we have to do is waiting.“
Ignoring Winonas moaning, Stanton sat in the seat opposite to her and lit a cigar.
***
Walther „the Weasel“ Whitty was leaning against the railing and observed the harbour, accompanied by his first mate, Joseph. Both men were smoking their pipes, ignoring the few snowflakes in the air.
„So, these two dancers have already moved into their cabin. Not bad, eh? Good idea to allow only female passengers, Sir!“
Whitty grinned: „Giving you eye candy was not the reason for that. On this ship, there are only six men, including you and me. If I would allow some Southern fireheads to travel on my ship, they might start a mutiny or do anything stupid if a Yankee ship approaches. Women are less likely to do so.“
Joseph nodded. „I was just thinking about the men`s – manners, Sir.“
„So did I, and so I told the passengers that they will have to stay in their cabins till we reach the next harbour. They will be brought meals three times a day and we will try to comfort them as much as we can, but they are not allowed on deck. So, the dancers are here. Who else is on the list?“
„One moment, Sir!“
Joseph reached under his coat and produced a list.
„So, Miss Yvette Delacroix and Miss Rita Domingo are here – dancers! I am quite sure that they are prostitutes.“
„I don`t care wether they are whores or nuns, they have paid in cash and in advance“, Whitty grunted.
„Certainly, Sir. Furthermore, there`s a Miss Alinda Knowles, along with a – prisoner“, Joseph frowned.
„Don`t mind, Joseph. Mr. Stanton told me it`s a female prisoner and that Miss Knowles will take care of her for the time being.“
„Then, it`s Miss Xenia LaFayette, together with her slave – a female slave.“
Whitty spat into the sea. As a British, he did not appreciate slavery, but since Miss LaFayette had also paid in advance, he accepted this attack on his moral principles.
„The last passenger is – God almighty!“
Whitty did not believe his eyes, too. An open coach approached, driven by a black man wearing a penguin suit and a top hat. In the coach, a young blonde lady was sitting, wearing a hoop skirt and a sun umbrella. She looked like a perfect image of the antebellum South – but even in that times, she would have fit together with a vast cotton plantation, not with a dirty harbour at night. A black boy in a red penguin suit completed the picture.
Whitty took a look on Joseph`s list: „Lady Queena DeRainier, I presume?“
Joseph`s answer was interrupted by the blonde woman`s orders:
„Castor, stop the coach and take care of my luggage! Pollux, prepare to help me getting out!“
Whitty grunted. Castor and Pollux! The man and the boy showed as much resemblance towards each other as he and Lady DeRainier did. Obviously, this was the kind of jokes rich, Southern aristocrats liked – giving their slaves ridiculous names.
Meanwhile, the lady had approached ther ship.
„Lady Queena DeRainier asks for permission to come aboard!“
It was an order, not a question. Whitty gulped, but then, he remembered that the lady had paid good money in advance, too.
„Mylady, your room is prepared. I am sure your servants will take your coach back to your mansion once they have helped you with your luggage?“
„Papperlapapp! Of course, Castor and Pollux will accompany me on my trip. It`s hard enough to travel without a lady`s maid!“
„But, Mylady, your room-“
„My room? What are you thinking about, you fool? Of course, they will sleep on deck. They may help you with your work. If I don`t need their services, of course. Oh, and if you have to whip them, please, remove their suits before. This silk was terribly expensive!“
Joseph rolled his eyes behind Lady Queena`s back whilst Whitty opressed a sigh. This guest held the promise for a real horror trip, even without the Yankees waiting for them!
***
„So, you haven`t got very far, have you?“
„Mph!“
It was the only answer the girl lying bound and gagged on the bed could utter. After they had stripped her completely nude, Mr. Drake`s men had tied Zenobia up with copious amounts of rope, following his strict orders whilst he was sitting beside in a chair, drinking some whiskey and examining their work.
Her arms were tied behind her back at wrists and elbows, forcing her quite big breasts to thrust out, making Zenobia blush, though Mr. Drake had already seen her in the nude. More, much more rope encircled her upper body and immobilized her arms. On Mr. Drake`s explicit order, the ropes encircled her brests, but did not touch them. A tight rope was tied around her waist. From it, an even tighter rope disappeared between her legs. Zenobia shuddered from the memory when one of the men had prised her labia apart to seat the rope there. After pulling any possible slack out, they had tied this rope to her thumbs.
Zenobia`s legs were tied at the thighs, above and below her knees and at the ankles. A fifth rope tied her big toes and connected them to her elbow tie, forcing her to lie in a rigid hogtie.
Then, there was the gag. Mr. Drake had taken obvious pleasure in doing that work by himself. Ripping a quite large pillow, he had taken the cotton wool from it and stuffed her mouth till it filled her cheeks and throat and made Zenobia retch. Then, he had waited for a while till her saliva had moistened the cotton wool, making the wad in her mouth a bit smaller. Mr. Drake had compressed the whole material as firm as he could, then, he had added some more cotton wool. Now, Zenobia could not close her mouth a bit and could only utter the faintest of sounds. He tied a knot in a strip from the pillowcase and forced the knot between her lips before he tied the ends tightly in her neck. Over this, he tied another big strip of white linen. He tested the efficiency of Zenobia`s gag by squeezing one of her nipples. The muffled cry seemed to satisfy his wish to silence his wilful slave effectively.
Drawing by hugues66
Zenobia cursed her lack of patience. But freedom had seemed so close, since the Yankees were only some 50 miles away.
She did not remember her real name. Born around 1842 in Florida by a Seminole mother who was related to a fugitive slave, she was what the white people called a „Zambo“ - a person whose parents were half black, half indian. When she was about three years old, some white hunters had taken her to the next city and from then on, she had had to live among the whites.
Although she was nominally a free person, noone cared about that. She was named „Zenobia“ when she was five years old – some Queen from ancient times she did not know about. Little after, she had been sold to the north, to North Carolina, to be exactly.
When she grew up, Zenobia learned two things. Most people considered her quite pretty, though her mother`s heritage had provided her with a prominent aquiline nose. But, though Zenobia had straight hair and her skin was more bronze than brown, most people considered her as „black“.
Soon, Zenobia had learned that being black was not only a difference in colour, but also in rights. Even if she would once be free, the Southern society would never treat her as equal. Mr. Drake, her actual owner, wasn`t a brute and treated her quite well, but he had never even thought about setting her free. He worked in Wilmington as a trader in several goods, which had rendered him rich in the years of the war.
But now, this war seemed to reach Wilmington. Since it was officially forbidden to teach slaves to read and write, Zenobia was nearly illiterate and could not read the newspapers, but, of course, she had heard that President Lincoln had set free all slaves some two years ago. Being free and of equal rights! It seemed to good to be true to Zenobia.
After a first escape attempt, Mr. Drake had kept her naked, gagged and tied to a post in the court for everyone to see. He had not beaten her, knowing that the tough Zenobia suffered more from humiliation than from the whip. A guard had taken care that people did not hurt her, but this guard had not prevented some men from touching her breasts and private parts. After that experience, Zenobia had stopped even thinking about escape for a while.
But then, the front had approached. She did not know the exact front lines, of course, but she could imagine that it would only be some three or four days till she would reach the Yankee`s army. So, Zenobia had quickly packed a few things and tried to sneak out at night, but one of Mr. Drake`s men had stopped her at gunpoint before she had even reached the main door.
„Now, Zenobia, you sure want to know how your punishment will be this time?“
„Mph!“
„I will take this as a Yes. Well, I am quite as sure as most people that the Yankees will conquer the city during the next weeks. Since this does not come unexpected, I have taken some precautions. I am a trader of goods any army will need, wether their uniforms are blue or grey. So, I think I will be able to stay a rich and important man, even under a new government.“
Zenobia frowned over her gag. What hat this to do with her punishment? Mr. Drake was what some of the slaves called a „good Massa“. He harldy ever ordered a slave to be beaten – and on no occasion just to demonstrate his might. Unlike many other slave owners, he even kept his fingers from the female slaves. Obviously his mistress, Miss Xenia LaFayette, was enough for him. The blonde woman seemed to have never seen any concurrence in Zenobia either and had treated her quite well, too. But now, something in Mr. Drake`s eyes let the alarm bells ring in Zenobia`s head.
„Of course, I will lose a part of my property – my slaves, for example.“
„Mph!“
„Yes, the Yankees will force me to set all of you free. But I don`t think that`s the way the world should be. So, I have made a decision: the male slaves here, which are only three anyway, may enjoy frolicking about the Yankee`s arrival. Maybe, I will even be able to get some compensation. But you, my black pearl, will face another future: this night, the Mistress will leave by maybe the last ship to do so. The ship is heading for Cuba, where I own a little plantation. You will like the island – it is always warm and your work will not be harder than it has been here. Oh, did I mention that in Cuba slavery still is legal?“
„Mph! Mph!“
„Yes, you will continue to be my slave. In two hours, the Mistress will leave. The Captain only allows her one female slave, so, that would have been you anyway. If you had not tried to run away, you would have travelled without the ropes and the gag and fully dressed, of course, but now, it seems more secure to me to leave you like this. Just hope that the Mistress will allow you to sleep on the carpet in front of her bed – otherwise you will be stowed with the luggage where any sailor can have his way with you – whilst you are naked, bound and gagged!“
Mr. Drake laughed when Zenobia screamed through her mouthfilling gag and squirmed in her unyielding bonds.
***
The „Sea Hawk“, Whitty`s cutter, offered four small cabins for passengers. Each was about three yards long and two yards wide and the furniture consisted only of a bunk, a cupboard and a small desk with a chair.
So, Lady Queena lamented continuously whilst Castor and Pollux tried to stow her luggage. There was not enough room to hang her dresses properly, it was embarrassing that a boy – a black boy, even worse – had touched her „unspeakables“ whilst putting them in the cupboard and of course, this all would not have happened if General Lee had not-
„Uuuhhmmmmpphhh!“
Suddenly, a strong arm was slung around her head and a biceps pressed on her mouth whilst another arm pinned her arms to her upper body. It took Lady Queena a few moments to realize that it was Castor who attacked her.
„Mhhmmmph! Uuuhhmmmmm! Mph!“
Lady Queena squirmed and moaned and flailed about with her legs, but she felt her ankles grabbed by other hands – those of Pollux. Despite her fighting, they dumped her on the bed. Castor held her tight and prevented her from screaming whilst Pollux tied her ankles tightly together and bound them to the bunks lower end.
„Mhhhrrrrr! Uuuhhhhmmmmmph!“
„How does that feel, Queenie?“
„Mmmph!“
Noone, not even her closest friends, had ever been allowed by her to call her Queenie. This was a slave`s name! But Lady Queena had worse things to care about when Pollux reached under her skirts and tied her knees, too. The hoop skirt wasn`t made for sitting on a bed, for it billowed out, revealing her stockings, garters and knickers.
Now, Pollux reached for one of her „unspeakables“ - a white, frilly pair of knickers. Lady Queena did not know what the boy wanted with these, but as soon as Castor withdrew his arm from her mouth and she tried to yell for help, she understood.
„Aaauuuhhmmmmphh! Mhhmmmmmpphh!“
Thoroughly, Pollux stuffed the silky fabric into the blonde`s mouth. Queena fought, but Castor just increased his grip, forcing her to accept being gagged. When her mouth was stuffed full, Pollux tied a scarf between her lips and knotted it off in her neck.
„Mhhhmmmmmph! Uuuuhhhhhhmmm!“
„Still to loud! Take the shawl!“
The boy wound a long, woolen shawl over Queena`s mouth. Covering it from nose to chin. Above, he tied another scarf, again pulling it tight before he knotted it off. Now, Queena had difficulties in getting enough air into her lungs and her fighting died down.
„Mhhmmmph!“
„Much better! Now, Queenie, as you may have deduced already, John, or Pollux, as you liked to call him, and me don`t want to accompany you on your trip. We prefer waiting for the Yankees. It is our first decision as free men, so to say. But we are generous men: we will allow you to leave Wilmington, just as you have planned.“
„Mhhhmmph! Nnnnng!“
Castor – Reginald, as she now remembered – continued his speech whilst holding her arms pressed together behind her back, allowing Pollux – John – to tie her arms at wrists and elbows.
„Of course, we will take your money and jewelry with us. We are no fools, altough you did not stop to tell us the opposite. We know that, even under a Yankee government, life will not be easy for blacks. But life will be much easier for any man if he is rich!“
Now, Queena squirmed and fumed, but she felt another scarf tied around her neck and connected to the bunk. Now, every movement meant the risk of strangling herself.
„Just lie still and you may survive. Just hope that the ship does not have to stand a storm before you are discovered. Oh, for one last thing – Queenie. Do you remember your lessons about the prettiness and superiortity of the white race. I do remember and I have to admit, you made me quite curious.“
„Mhhhrrrrrr! Glllg!“
Queena twitched and screamed into the stifling gag when Castor ripped the cleavage of her dress and peeled out her breasts. When he squeezed them tight, she blushed all over and mewed with hate, fear and embarrassment.
„Oh, I must say those of Lizzy are much better“, Pollux said, examining the naked boobs.
„Those of Lizzy`s granny are better“, Castor laughed.
Actually, both of them thought that her former mistress was quite a sight and their hate for her behaviour did not keep them from admiring the 19 year`s old blonde`s beauty. But they were just committing capital crimes anyway, so, this little lie would not count.
Fuming and making small sounds through her gag, Queena had to watch helplessly as they took her gold and jewelry and left the cabin, carefully locking the door from the outside.
On deck, Castor/Reginald approached the Captain and spoke:
„Captain, Sir, the Mistress has changed her mind and sent us back with the coach. But she wishes not to be disturbed by anyone. It has been a hard day for her. And-“
He hesitated, but Whitty clapped the black`s shoulder.
„Speak frankly, my son, this is a British ship.“
Encouraged, Castor/Reginald exchanged a view with Pollux/John, then, he lowered his voice and said:
„Sir, the Mistress has taken some laudanum to help her to find sleep. Sometimes, she suffers from nightmares. But, under no circumstances, wake her up, even if you hear something strange. The last time she had a nightmare, Pollux tried to wake her up and-“
He opened the collar of the boy`s shirt and presented some whip marks to the Captain. Whitty nodded and again clapped the man`s shoulder.
„Don`t worry, I will not disturb your Mistress`s sleep, even if she fights a Legion of demons!“
He watched the uneven twins leave his ship. At least these two would not have to suffer from Lady Queena`s mood during the journey!
***
Immediately after Stanton had left the room, Winona had continued to work on her ties. Those straight jackets were usually considered as quite inescapable, but they were designed for grown men, not for petite women that only measured 5`1``. So, after some squirming, Winona managed to pull one hand from the wrist tie and could work on the buckle. Finally, her arms were free. This was only a partially success, since her arms were still trapped in the canvas sleeves, but the girl could now open the crotch strap and pull the jacket over her head. It was ridiculous! Had they asked anyone working in the asylum, they would have told her captors how to apply a straight jacket correctly. Then, she wouldn`t have had a chance of escape. But the two soldiers had shooed the doctor and his assistant away before they had tied her.
Quickly, Winona opened the buckles of the leather hood and pulled it from her head. She gasped for air after being gagged for several hours when she got rid of the vile tasting leather plug. Then, she sneaked for the door and listened carefully.
„Ah, Miss Knowles, just in time. I have to leave immediately, but our – guest is waiting in the living room. She is already prepared for travel, so, all you have to do is sit beside her and wait for the sailors to come. I`ve already ordered your luggage to be brought aboard.“
Winona heard the front dor closing and shortly after the sound of hoofs. She considered disappearing through the window, but, clad only in her camisole and knickers, this was too daring and besides, perhaps some of Stanton`s men were still around. Quickly, the spy thought about another possibility of escape.
Alinda! She would enter the room! Winona reached for the poker and hid behind the door.
„Winona, sweetie, I am-“
CLONK!
The fact that Alinda was wearing a hat prevented her from severe damage, but the knock rendered her unconscious immediately and she slumped to the floor without a sound.
Quickly, Winona checked the floor before closing the door again. After she had checked that her rival was still alive, she hissed into her ear:
„So, that`s not the end of my career, bitch! I will triumph, but you will have to help me a little bit in that!“
Always listening for footsteps, she began to undress the unconscious Alinda.
***