Sacred Hunger - Barry Unsworth [226]
There was no doubt that the territory offered much to the colonist. The cold in winter was only sufficient to mark the difference of season, without preventing the growth of vegetables – green peas could be had at Christmas without the aid of fire or glass. The same field could give two crops of Indian corn in a year and Erasmus was reliably informed that indigo, which he knew to be a highly profitable export crop in South Carolina, could here be cut four times a year and need not be planted more often than once in three years. The rivers that ran through the country made the cost of transport negligible. The St John River admitted vessels of nine-foot draught for a considerable way – how far he was not able precisely to determine; and there was an excellent harbour at the mouth of the Mosketto. His mind was busy with schemes. Settling accounts with his cousin might keep him in Florida some time yet, but he could send his instructions to London. This was Crown property now and the Crown always needed money. The land could be purchased through an agent. Then concerted advertising to attract settlement …
He did not speak of these plans to anyone, but he threw off various possibilities when he was alone with the Governor, partly in order to keep him well disposed, but also because he had recognized from the start that Campbell, though highly cautious, had an instinct for commerce which might be turned to good account. It would be necessary to form a company, with an office in St Augustine, so as to increase profits by levying a local tax on the resale of the land. Someone of local standing would be needed for this, someone with strong backing, in case of disputes.
However, Campbell was not able to give these matters much of his mind at present. As the day appointed for the conference approached, he grew brusquer and more irascible, though his eyes still held their twinkling light. Things were not going well. The Indians had remained camped on the west bank of the river. It was reported that their supplies of food were running low. A schooner and a pilot-boat were on the way from Georgia, loaded with rum, tobacco, parched corn and a variety of gifts – beads, kettles, mirrors, knives – but unfavourable winds had slowed their passage and they had not yet arrived. Meanwhile, the braves were becoming disgruntled.
‘Curse this weather,’ Campbell said, not for the first time. ‘Not having the baubles to distribute sets us off to a bad start. The devils will start raising mischief before much longer. The chiefs can’t control the young men indefinitely. They have got no liquor, heaven be praised.’
‘They will not relish being kept long there, at the start of their hunting season,’ Watson conceded with his usual gravity.
They were sitting at dinner on the eve of the conference. At the Agent’s suggestion Erasmus had been invited to attend this as an observer. He could be presented as a special envoy from England, a proof that the Great White Father took an interest in his red children. Such things impressed them, Watson said. Erasmus had accepted eagerly enough, curious to see how the business would be managed. ‘These Creeks were our allies in the late wars,’ he said now. ‘Surely that will provide a good foundation for these talks we are entering upon tomorrow?’
‘Allies?’ Watson’s brows rose without otherwise disturbing the solemn composure of his face. ‘My dear sir, these fellows have no concept of loyalty, none at all, except in their own clans.