Sweet Belle

By Sri Kumar G

It has been a week since Prince Kabir and Corporal Johnathan Smith of the British Navy, formerly of the East India Company, landed in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the King’s Quest vessel from London. The prince is young, recently celebrating his 20th birthday. His English is very good considering the little time he spent over the last two years around the company personnel in his kingdom. He wore a brown suit and a brown hat with a black tie. The reason for their travels into the west, so far from home, is because of a condition in the deal made by King Yogendra and the E.I.C. The King of the Kansama, agreed to rule under the company under many conditions. One of the conditions was that his son be taken on a tour to the west, specifically to the United States of America, after this 20th name day.

Corporal Johnathan Smith had been tasked by the Commodore Norris, to accompany the young Prince on his travels, guarding him should any difficulties arise as the American society is sensitive to strangers, especially those of darker skin. John Smith or Smithy as his friends and compatriots would call him is a young fellow, slightly younger than the prince by a few months and dressed in full company uniform, a red coat and white pants and black boots. Ever since the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the company had surrendered the control of India to the crown. The crown deemed home bred Tommys would be better for order and control and Smithy was one of the many boys who signed up to do their bit for crown and country.

Johnathan Smith and Prince Kabir had been traveling for months and even though the prince was always eager to talk about the sense of adventure, and the tales of the wild west, he was engaged in the perilous journey for an entirely different purpose. A purpose he hid so close to his chest that despite the bond they shared as companions, Corporal John Smith had not the faintest clue about.

They had been invited to the riverboat gathering by Clarence Wells, the owner of the Clarence Wells Railroad Corporation, who was curious about the rumors of the South Asian dark-skinned fella who had a white man as his protector roaming around town for a week and asking questions about the railroads. Clarence Wells wanted to see if there was indeed any truth to these rumors.

“Whoa there. We don’ let no niggers walk up to the big boat. No matter how fancy they dress.” Said the guard to Kabir as he tried to enter the premises of the boat.

The riverboat named Sweet Belle, was a three-deck boat that used to ferry cargo and people along the Mississippi river. Ever since the railroad took over, it had been transformed into a gathering site for the Bell Auction house. And tonight’s festivities are to celebrate the sale of their ten thousandth slave and Clarence Wells Railroad Corporation ran shipments of slaves to and from the west to Virginia.

“My good sir. I am no slave. I am a Prince from a kingdom far east. I come on the invitation of Mr. Wells himself. Would you kindly show this gentleman the invitation, Mr. Smith?” Said Kabir.

“Of course, Your highness. “

This response completely shocks the men standing guard. A white man calling a darkie Highness. Never have they ever seen or heard of such a thing.

The guard checks the invitation and lets them pass through. He wasn’t done with this though. He made sure another guard tailed them all night long.

By Sri Kumar G