The next morning al the captains gathered in the admiral's stateroom. Wanting to start the meeting in such a way as to set the men at ease before delving into the task at hand, Lord Anthony had Bart pass out a paper he'd had his secretary and the flag captain's secretary copy.
Captain Moffett cleared his throat to get the captains' attention. Most had gathered in a group to congratulate Earl on his promotion and his new command.
"Gentlemen," Lord Anthony began, "We have some serious business before us today. If you will gather in little groups of three, my cox'n will hand out a fair copy of some papers Lieutenant's Markham and Anthony were able to obtain when they boarded the corvette which is now under British colors and commanded by our own Commander Earl."
"Here, here," the group said in unison, to which Earl rose from his side chair and gave an exaggerated bow.
"Now sirs, these papers are being handed out with the full knowledge that each of you, loyal as British subjects as well as naval officers are expected not only to know, but to do your duty." Lord Anthony's voice was very firm as he spoke. "Now Dagan, if you will pass out the papers to the groups."
Before the last two groups of men had gotten their papers laughter was erupting from the first two groups.
"Good," thought Lord Anthony, "If they can see the humor in my joke and laugh at it they'll surely be ready to fight." As Bart went topside he met up with Dagan.
Lighting up his pipe, Dagan asked, "What stirred the captains so?"
Bart gave Dagan a copy and soon he was chuckling as he read:
Advertisement in Boston newspaper recruiting crew for privateer Deane
An invitation to al brave Seamen and Marines, who have an inclination to serve their Country and make their Fortunes.
The Grand Privateer ship DEANE, commanded by ELISHA HINMAN, Esq; and prov'd to be a very capitol Sailor, will Sail on a Cruise against the Enemies of the United States of America, by the 20th instant. The DEANE mounts thirty Carriage Guns, and is excellently well calculated for Attacks, Defense and Pursuit--This therefore is to invite al those Jolly Fellows, who love their country, and want to make their fortunes at one Stroke, to repair immediately to the Rendezvous at the Head of His Excellency Governor Hancock's Wharf, where they will be received with a hearty Welcome by a Number of Brave Fellows there assembled, and treated with that Excellent Liquor cal 'd GROG which is allow'd by al true Seamen, to be the LIQUOR OF LIFE.
After the men had had their laugh, Lord Anthony spoke again in a very grave manner, "I do have in my possession a document that was captured by our esteemed Lieutenants as earlier mentioned. This document, unlike the one you've just read, has warned us of a grave and serious impending threat. This is the thirteenth day of November and if this document is still correct an attempt will be made by a consortium of privateers along with armed soldiers to invade and occupy Nova Scotia the nineteenth of this month."
"Gawd," growled Captain Buck, "That barely gives us time to get ready."
"Isn't that an odd time to propose an invasion?" asked Lieutenant Kerry.
"Ah, to the contrary," responded Captain Pope,
"When better to attack than at a season when the weather is changing and attention is being given to the weather and not to defense." Realizing he might have spoken out of turn, Pope turned to the admiral, "Am I right, my Lord?'
"That you are, Captain Pope. Gentlemen, I should not have to remind you of the secrecy of the subject we are discussing but before I go further let me say this.
Your first officers will be told." Then looking at Bush and Kerry added, "Or those serving as your second in command and no one else."
"Why the secrecy, my Lord?" Lieutenant Bush asked, "Surely preparations will have to be made that will be obvious to al."
"Aye, young sir, you are right in part," Lord Anthony answered, "We know the enemy has at least two agents here in Halifax. Tomorrow I will make it known we as a squadron are being summoned to Philadelphia. That will justify the necessary movements required to make ready for sea. Now I will pass this document around for each of you to review then we'll talk about a plan of defense."
Then he passed the document to Captain Pope who was next in seniority to the flag captain and it was passed on down creating comments as each man reviewed the document as it was passed to him.
Plans for the Invasion and Occupation of Nova Scotia Knowing the great importance Nova Scotia will be to us and the relief our friends there stand in need of, I am happy to inform you of a consortium of free enterprise merchants have met and the sentiments of the general officers of said consortium have agreed to invade Nova Scotia.
I had the honor of writing you on the nineteenth of June, and then informed you of having engaged two persons in Nova Scotia on the business recommended in your letter of the tenth.
I would now beg to leave mention, that the persons sent information favorably of the expediency and practicability of the proposed measure. They advised the men necessary for the expedition can be raised from the Province of Maine.
Upon these recommendations the necessary men have been easily engaged. They are willing and ready to embark from Round
Island on Machias Bay the dawn of November 19th. The determination for this date is the season is most favorable in regard to when defenses on land and at sea are mostly reduced due to weather.
The terms mentioned in their plan were for each consortium member to receive 10,000L for their involvement in the scheme plus favorable consideration in regards to land and other purchases.
Unless otherwise notified I will assume the terms are agreeable and by the power you've invested in me detach the men and ships as previously stated.
The attack and invasion has been so planned that when executed the consortium will send men in arms aboard full y armed transports to attack several targets as recommended by those persons in Nova Scotia.
Men will be landed at Hampton, Yarmouth, Liverpool, Lunenburg and Halifax. It is only at Halifax resistance is expected. In addition to British naval forces, there is usual y a garrison of some two hundred British troops.
A diversion consisting of two ships will be made. These ships are at Sable Island and if the British admiral gives chase, this will lessen Halifax 's defense. If the British does not fall for the ruse the ships will support the main attack.
The command of the leading ship has been given to Jeremiah O'Brian based on his part in the capture of the Margaret a now renamed Machia's Liberty.
After al the gathered men had read the document Lord Anthony asked, "Any comments?"
Captain Pope cleared his throat and then spoke, "A question, my Lord. There has long been concern the French may enter the war in support of the Colonials.
Do you see this capture of the French corvette, Le Frelon, and her French captain as proof of that concern?"
"Well, I'm not sure," Lord Anthony replied. "I'm sure the French have strongly encouraged these types of activities but for now al we have is a privateer with a letter of Marque."
"Rogues!" Lieutenant Kerry exclaimed.
"Rogues they may be, sir, but they've done more to interrupt our convoys and prolong the war than anyone else, even John Paul Jones himself. we'll worry about the French when and if they enter the war. However, for now let's worry about the matter at hand."
"How do we defend so many invasion sights with so few ships?" Lieutenant Bush asked, and then continued,
"Even with the gunboat we captured and the corvette Gabe and Markham took, we only have nine vessels and they will not go far in preventing an invasion if we are spread out."
Captains Pope and Buck were conferring and appeared about to speak when Gabe stood up.
"Why do we have to defend my Lord?" Al eyes turned to Gabe.
"What was that?" The flag captain Moffett asked.
"I said, sir, with al respect, why do we have to defend? I say we should attack. We know from those documents," Gabe said nodding his head at the papers
laying on the table, "where they will launch the attacks from and on what date. I say we divide our forces." The other captains were very attentive now.
"Go on," Lord Anthony prodded.
"We can send a frigate or maybe a frigate and a cutter to Sable Island to deal with the ships there. Then the other frigate can sail up into the Bay of Bundy and position itself to protect Hampton. Warrior can be stationed at the mouth of Halifax Harbour and the rest of us can meet the privateers as they make their way out of Machia's Bay and past Gran Manan Island. They'll not be expecting us, so surprise will be on our side. The way I've figured it, my Lord, we've trumped their every move."
"It sounds good, lieutenant," Captain Moffett said,
"But remember this is not whist and there's more at stake than a card game."
Buck and Earl had risen, "We think Gabe is right, my Lord," Buck volunteered.
"Very well," Lord Anthony replied, "Let's breakout the charts and get a better feel for what routes they'll have to take." Then turning to Gabe, Lord Anthony asked, "Have you spoken of this to anyone?"
"Aye, sir," Gabe replied, "I discussed it with Lieutenant Markham on two occasions. Mr. Davy was present for part of one conversation but he heard no specifics."
"Anyone else?" the admiral firmly asked the lieutenants.
"No sir," Markham replied.
When Gabe hesitated, the admiral spoke again,
"Lieutenant Anthony?"
"Well, sir, I did discuss it with one other."
"Who, sir?"
"Dagan, my Lord."
A relief went over Lord Anthony's face as a general sigh escaped from Buck and Pope and the other gathered captains. No one would doubt Dagan's discretion, certainly not the admiral and that was al that mattered.
Halifax Harbour became a beehive of activity as Lord Anthony's ships were made ready for sea. Since the word had been "leaked" the fleet was headed south, the ships took on stores as would be necessary for the trip. This was to add credibility to the leaked story, when in truth whether the battle was won or lost the ships would only need one good day's supplies on board. However, anyone spying on the harbour would see what they would expect to see. Water hoys plying back and forth, victuallers, ship's boats and finally the ordnance barges.
Gabe was visiting Stephen Earl on board Le Frelon.
It was Gabe's first visit since Earl had taken command.
There was an obvious change in the ship's overall appearance. The freshly holystoned decks, the smell of fresh pitch fill ed the air. Cannons had been cleaned and
blackened, ropes were neatly coiled. Brick dust had been taken to the brass work and now it shined brighter than it probably had since the ship was launched.
"What a farce," Earl said, speaking of al the comings and goings of smaller craft.
"Aye," Gabe replied, "But a necessary one if we're to maintain surprise."
At that time, Mr. Boyd approached. He was Earl's first lieutenant and came from Merlin, where he had been Captain Buck's third lieutenant. "Pardon me, sir, but the twenty new hands have arrived as you mentioned. Would you care to speak to the men?" Earl looked at Gabe who tried to hide his smile.
"No, Mr. Boyd, turn them over to the bosun," Earl replied, "He'll take care of them."
As the lieutenant went to do his bidding, Earl shook his head and said, "He means well and seems quite knowledgeable but he's a long way from where I expect my first lieutenant to be."
"He'll learn quickly," Gabe said.
"Huh," snorted Earl, "He better, cause I'm thinking we're about to face an enemy like we've not done before."
"Do you think my plan is wrong?" Gabe asked his friend.
"No,Gabe. With no more at our disposal than what we have and there being no time for reinforcements, I think it's as good a plan as we could have. I do think the butcher's bill will be high whether we win or lose.
Those privateers will be crowded with fighting men for the invasion. It may sound cruel but I intend to sink what I can rather than come together and be overrun by large numbers."
"I agree," Gabe said then asked, "Have you a surgeon yet?"
"Unfortunately not, and there's a possibility we won't have. By the way," Earl continued, "Rumor has it Caleb has been smitten by some little rebel girl." Gabe felt a pang at the term "rebel girl" as it made him think of Faith. Seeing the look come over Gabe's face Earl realized he may have blundered.
"Forgive me, Gabe, I did not mean to be callous or insensitive."
Clapping his hand on his friend's shoulder Gabe said, "It's nothing." Then went on to explain, "Caleb has found himself infatuated with a young lady, Dagan's niece."
"Well, damme," Earl exclaimed, "I'd tread lightly if I were Caleb. I'd not want Dagen angry with me."