The men were returning from leave. It was nearing 22:00 hours. Jack and I rushed topside to help out with the casting off which would occur at 22.00 hours. I mentioned that we should get a note to Mauricia's mamma. She should at least know that we're trying to free them, I said.

"Let's get off and run to the inn," said Jack. "We have a few minutes left." But instead of going to Mauricia's momma's inn, Jack suddenly darted into the first inn we came across, The Pelican Inn, and told me to follow. We approached the innkeeper - Thomas Appleton, an older man with grey beard and mustache who shook his head. He was serving some customers food and drink.

"I'm busy boys, what do want? There's no work right now. Come back in a week, mates!"

"Sorry to bother you sir," said Jack, "but two young Negro girls - friends of ours - were just kidnapped on that there ship which is a slaver - we're sailors on it - the one a'settin' right over there," Jack said pointing to the Helena.

"Sorry sonny, not my problem. You hear me! No mi problema!" said Appleton waving us away with his hand then pointing toward the tavern door. "Get going lads," he said as two patrons at the bar yelled for him to fill their tankards with more brew.

"But you probably know these girls, they might even be friends with your children," Jack said.

"Look here, can't you see I'm busy. I have a business to run. I have customers. What? Do you want me to just close down my establishment and attend to you boy's girlie problems. Get outta here! I don't go poking my nose where it don't belong, boy, and I suggest you don't either, especially in my establishment. You need to find the constable for the docks. He polices the docks boys, not me. Probably drunk as a skunk in one of the inns - that's where I'd look sonny," said the innkeeper.

"But what good could he do us if he's always drunk?"

"What good does he do anyone else? Probably do you no good, sonny, but then you might get lucky, you never know, because you might catch the bastard sober."

We ran outside. Now we were desperate. The ship was almost ready to embark as the last barrels of provisions were being loaded by several seamen.

Jack," I said. "We've got to tell Mauricia's mother!

"That would just cause a big rukas," said Jack. "The captain would have her thrown off the ship or, worse, take her captive. And besides the captain would know we was involved in breaking into his cabin and the whole plan would be blown. We have to keep total secrecy or it'll never work.

"Anyway," said Jack. "It's much safer to leave her a note a'sayin' what happened to America and Mauricia and that we promise to free them and get them back here within six months. Quick, the innkeeper will have paper and pen. Meet me on the ship in five minutes.