Morgan's Way

In Jamaica, English privateeers keep the Spanish at bay and hold the island for England. Henry Morgan and the buccaneers plunder the Spanish Main while hoodwinking a succession of governors. In Port Royal, Eugenie works as a serving girl in Collier's Tavern. Morgan and his friends raise a Christmas toast to Charles II, the newly restored king. A pall is cast by the intrusion of Thomas Lynch, president of the council. Lynch demands to know if any of the captains have slaves among their plunder, since he is a factor for the Dutch Royal African company. He threatens Eugenie, claiming to have a runaway notice on her mother. Eugenie retorts that her mother is a goodwoman who works as a cook for the silversmith. Lynch threatens the buccaneers that when he becomes governor, they shall all hang. Morgan jests that he might be as likely to become governor as Lynch. They toast the health of the current governor. Eugenie feels reassured by the support of her friends. As the evening draws to a close, Morgan asks her for an assignation at the Queen Street punch house. Curious, she goes there at midnight and meets Fran L'Ollonais, a notorious French captain. When Morgan comes in, he strikes up a friendly rivalry with L'Ollonais as they discuss cities worth plundering. Euguenie realizes Morgan's mistress is the sea, and his desire for gold. She cherishes in her heart a young English soldier who rescued her from the Spaniards at Rio Bueno. His memory contrasts with the ruthless pirate Morgan has become. Telling Morgan to meet her on Jack's Hill at dawn, she walks home. On Jack's Hill, he assures her that he was that young soldier at Rio Bueno. At his lodgings on High Street is the proof, a miniature of him in younger days. She realizes Morgan can protect her from everything. Their passionate love affair improves her fortune and status, but Eugenie remains unspoiled. She still helps her mother in the cookhouse. Morgan sails against Villahermosa, Trujillo and Grand Granada with four other captains. He is at sea when the king recalls the governor and commissions are canceled. Lynch is left in charge. Eugenie befriends the maid at Governor's House and they spy on Lynch. In February of 1664, Sir Thomas Modyford arrives as governor. Lynch meets him with a warning about the buccaneers. When Morgan and the other captains arrive, their expected hero's welcome turns into near disaster. With expired commissions, they could be hanged as pirates. Morgan prevails with Modyford and the ships are declared a lawful prize. Lynch succeeds Modyford as governor and Morgan is sent to England as a prisoner. He so impresses the King that in three years time he returns from England a knight. The King appoints Lord Vaughn to serve as governor. He teams up with Lynch to oppress the populace and persecute Morgan and the other captains. In 1678 Lord Vaughn is recalled and the Earl of Carlisle arrives as Governor. He administers Jamaica for three years, then Lynch is reappointed. Lynch intrigues against Morgan and in 1683, the Council votes Morgan out of all his offices. In 1685, King James II comes to the throne and appoints Christopher, Duke of Albemarle, Governor of Jamaica. He makes friends with Morgan and has him reinstated at the end of his life. Four years later, Eugenie and her mother survive the Great Earthquake. Two thousand souls were taken, and some called it the judgment of God. What remains of Port Royal is a fishing village. The pirate haven no longer exists except beneath the waves.