Chapter 1

Michael had just returned to Boston from the Orient with five of his vessels filled to the loading line with silks that made the mayor’s mouth water with expectation.  The day was bright, and the ocean shimmered with the sparkle of the sun as it bathed the harbor.  Michael’s other ships were sitting off the coast waiting to be docked.

The mayor, learning of the fleet coming in, was waiting at the wharf when Michael’s ship docked.  His eyes were as wide as his appetite for pleasure was deep.  As the ropes were tossed to the men on the dock, Michael turned to the captain.  He had a prankish smile on his face as though he wanted to have some fun.  “Look who came to greet us.”  Michael gazed in the direction of his First Mate and indicated for him to look at the pudgy mayor sitting so smugly in his richly upholstered carriage.

Michael said to the First Mate, “What do ya’ say we invite His Honor aboard?”  Michael turned around and ordered two sailors to escort the mayor up the plank.

The mayor was a man who liked water from afar and feared any height over the thick, three-inch boot heels he wore to appear taller than he actually was.  The sailors friendlily forced the mayor from his carriage; and one on each arm, placed him upon the ramp.

“I’m not going up there!”  the mayor protested swinging his decorative cane in the air.

Michael signaled the two sailors to give the mayor a nudge upward.

“Blast!”  he cursed.  “What do you think you’re doing?”  But the two sailors didn’t relent.  One, now in front of the mayor, tugged on his coat while the other pushed him from behind.

Michael and the captain laughed in sport at the mayor’s plight.  Michael got even more enjoyment when the heavy-weighted mayor bounced the plank up and down as he took his steps.  He thought the mayor looked like a bean bag – a sag here, a sag there, and laughed as his big belly wobbled up and down as he moved.

“Oh – – – I’m going to be sick!”  the mayor moaned.  He peered down at the water below.  His head swirled and his knees grew weak.

Michael walked over to the plank and spoke to him.”  Those women over there might think you’re afraid.  Now you wouldn’t want that idea to get around the female circles, would you Your Honor? After all, a man has to keep up his appearances of courage.”

Somehow this stoking seemed to give the mayor just the incentive he needed to take those last few steps. As the mayor stepped aboard, his face was slightly blue and his eyes were dazed.  “What are you doing to me?  You know I hate ships! They make me – – – queasy!” and his bloodshot eyes rolled upward as he tottered this way and that.  “I think I’m going to be sick!”

Michael chuckled with a mischievous tone.  “What you’re doing up here Mayor, is learning the fine art of gratitude.”

“Gra-ti-tude! ‘Gulp!’  What on earth is there to be so grateful – – – forrrr…?”  The Mayor asked.

“This ship carries in her hull,” Michael informed, “the very fabric that is going to make you the envy of the Boston elite. You must show her your appreciation.   She has feelings you know.”

“What?!”  A ship has feelings?!  Why this thing is no more than -“

“Unt-uh Mayor, you’ll hurt her feelings.”

“Look,” he pleaded, “can’t you just tell her I appreciate her when I am off this tub?”

“Now there you go again Mayor – insulting a fine lady.”

“No – no, I didn’t mean to insult her – I – I – I – I just meant that – – – – I – I – I – just – – – whooo ohhh – -“