Blowing weather

Anthony Stevens steps back onto the bustling Second Street after years away, and the city greets him with a confident, almost ship‑like sprawl of storefronts, brick facades and the salty breath of the river. The autumn air is bright and cool, carrying the scent of pitch, mud and distant cargoes, while the clatter of drays and the whine of a fife from a sloop‑of‑war echo through narrow alleys. He wanders past the familiar tavern, follows the worn stone steps down to the waterfront, and watches the great masts of an Indiaman dominate the quay. The bustling market of J. Magruder’s—lined with rum casks, hides, tobacco and exotic wines—offers a vivid glimpse of the commerce that once linked his New Orleans home to this northern port.

Inside the cramped, dim‑lit store, a stout merchant greets Anthony and mentions the recent arrival of the Bristol Pride, a brig whose cargo includes rare Spanish brandy and Kitts sherry. The promise of these prized goods hints at hidden fortunes and perhaps a voyage of his own, as Anthony’s curiosity is drawn to the ship’s concealed hold. The scene sets a tone of restless adventure, where the wind over the river seems ready to carry him toward new possibilities.