As Gabe strode forward, the wind picked up.
He could feel his loose clothing pressed tight against his body and his hair was blowing with the wind.
He held onto a shroud as SeaWolf’s sharp bow cut through the water. He was exhilarated. Fourteen knots, my God what speed, muttered Gabe. He was sure he could coax another knot out of her.
When he was away from the squadron Gabe would put on every inch of SeaWolf’s canvas and let her fly as he was doing now. Not unlike a thoroughbred at the downs he thought. But Lord Sandwich was right. She was a predator too, and he wondered how long it would be before she fired her guns in anger.
Delivering dispatches was not the type of work Gabe would have chosen but it did allow a certain degree of freedom. One appealing aspect was that it got him away from the squadron and the Admiral. An admiral was always an admiral even if he was your brother. He did miss Gil. They had shared some good times and bad ones over the last few years. Gabe had joined his brother's ship as a midshipman but had matured into a man amidst the din of battle.
"Sail ho! Two sails on the far horizon!"
"Are they British?"
Gabe turned finding Mr. Davy before him-another boy who'd grown into a mature seasoned fighter on board Drakkar.
"Why don't you grab a glass and go aloft so that I may have a proper report, Mr. Davy?"
"Aye, sir."
"Mr. Hazard! Mr. Lavery! We might be in for a bit of excitement today."
"Aye, sir," they said in unison, both excited at the possibility of prize money, but Hazard more so than Lavery. Hazard's father had worked at the
"Boston Company" and had been able to help his son advance to master's mate. However, since the war had broken out, Hazard's father had been let go from the firm for not showing enough patriotic enthusiasm. In truth, he agreed with the colonies but felt diplomacy was better than war. Now the family was dependent on Lieutenant Everette Hazard for survival.
Hazard didn't need to be told how lucky he was to have his commission. He felt luckier still having Lieutenant Gabe Anthony as the SeaWolf’s captain.
He'd heard some of the crew tell stories of their captain. It was said he made a fortune in prize money just before the war. Hopefully Everette Hazard might be able to pick up a guinea or two.
Watching Mr. Davy slide down the shrouds
reminded Hazard of what he'd been told of the diminutive young gentleman. Slight in frame he may be, but fearless. Those words from Dagan who rarely spoke. Hazard had seen the long wide scar along his rib cage where he'd been pierced by a huge splinter when Drakkar defeated the fifty-gun pirate vessel, Reaper. The boy was somewhat of a hero to the men and would make a fine officer.
Hazard only hoped he would fair as well, and felt a jealous pang as he thought of the relationship between Davy and the captain. Hazard had also not failed to notice that whenever someone seemed to question Davy's authority, the mysterious Dagan loomed.
"Two sails, Cap'n, just as the look-out said.
They appear to be on a nor-nor-westerly heading.
However a silvery brown patch off starboard appears to be another set of sails. We should have a better view soon. It's right where blue meets blue and I almost missed it."
Gabe turned to Dagan, "Hear that? He almost missed it."
"Damme sir, but damme the boy's got eyes, ain't he?" Dagan proclaimed.
"Mr. Blake!"
"Aye, cap'n."
"Set us a course to intercept Mr. Davy's sighting yonder. Mr. Hazard, once we can better identify those sails be prepared to go to quarters."
"Aye, cap'n. Think she's a privateer?"
"Who knows, Mr. Hazard. My question is why those other two ships left her. They had to have seen her and we've not seen or heard any gunfire.
If she's British we'll get the latest news. If she's a privateer we'll fatten our purses."
"Aye, sir. Mine could stand a little fat. It's been lean for a spell now."
"Deck there," the lookout called down. "She's changing her tack."
Gabe looked to his first lieutenant. "No gossip today, Mr. Hazard. Beat to quarters if you will, but to be on the safe side put up our signal and see if she answers with the correct recognition."
"Aye, sir."
"Would you like for me to go aloft again, Mr. Hazard?"
"Eager today are we, Mr. Davy?"
"Aye, sir."
"Mr. Davy?"
"Aye, Cap'n."
"I surely expected you to be at your battle station by now and not trying to trick the first lieutenant into approving a skylarking trip for you.
Surely, sir, I've not misplaced my trust in you have I?"
"Nay, Cap'n, I'll make you proud," Davy replied as he scampered off to his station, smiling as he noticed Dagan's wink when he passed by him.
"Mr. Druett."
"Aye, Cap'n," the gunner answered.
"As soon as we're in range I want you to put a ball across that one's bow."
"Aye, Cap'n, I'll scorch its bowsprit, I will."
"Deck there," the lookout called down, "She be a schooner, sir. Colonial from the looks of things." B O O M!…Druett had let loose with the forward six-pounder.
"Deck there," the lookout called again, "She's a Jonothan, sir, and she's raised her colors and opened her starboard gun ports. She be a fourteen gunner, sir."
"Very well. Mr. Hazard, I want to keep a crew on the forward gun but it's the starboard guns I want manned."
"Mr. Blake," Gabe called to the master, "ease her a bit but be ready to put her helm down. I want to cross her stern and come up on her larboard side so be ready."
"Aye, Cap'n," the master nodded, beginning to understand what his master was about.
BOOM!…Druett had let loose with another shot and it landed just ahead of the chase,
drenching all those at the forward guns with its spray.
SeaWolf continued to overreach her prey. Her bow sliced the water as a strong wind caught her sails from dead astern and seemed to slingshot her forward, the wind fairly whistling through the shrouds. SeaWolf gained on the schooner at an alarming speed. Dagan was suddenly beside Gabe and said, "She's not handled well, is she," referring to the schooner. SeaWolf was now almost directly up with her prey. The deck vibrated as Druett let loose another round, this one striking the schooner about level with the foremast.
"Now, Mr. Blake," Gabe ordered, trying to shout above the wind. "Put your helm down Lively now. Hands to sheets. Reduce sail." SeaWolf heeled sharply as she crossed in the schooner's wake. Blake could just imagine the bowsprit up the schooners gallery.
"Steady," Gabe called, "Hold her."
Hazard and Blake looked at each other. If SeaWolf made it, it was a clever maneuver. If not, they'd have a new cap'n very soon. The admiralty didn't take kindly to new captains ramming their ships bowsprit up another ship's arse-hole.
SeaWolf’s rudder bit into water and she began to swing just as Gabe had planned. Crossing the schooner's wake caused SeaWolf to suddenly list larboard as her gunwales dipped into the trough. A large wave broke over the bow as they broke
through the water. Water sluiced down the length of SeaWolf’s scuppers and hands had to grab hold of something to keep from falling.
"That's it, ease her up now, ease up, full and by.
Open your starboard gun ports."
Damn, thought Hazard. They'd crossed the schooner's stern with no more than a chain's length to spare. Hazard's knuckles had turned white from gripping a stay. Now that the maneuver was over he felt dumbfounded and grateful they hadn't capsized. He seemed numb. He'd never seen a ship handled so.
"Think he's crazy, don't you?"
Hazard looked at Nathan Lavery, the second and only other lieutenant on board. Without waiting for Hazard to answer Lavery added, "Better get used to it. He's not squeamish." The roar of SeaWolf’s cannons startled Hazard.
Still somewhat numb and temporarily in thought of Lavery's words he was caught unaware when Gabe gave the order to fire. Smoke engulfed the ship momentarily till the wind carried it forward.
Thank God Druett has got his wits about him, Hazard thought, cause I'm making a poor showing.
"Fire! That's it, lads, fire! Let them Jonathans feel ole SeaWolfy's fangs. That's it, now put your backs into it. Swab out. Swab out you buggers." BOOM!…BOOM!…BOOM!…
SeaWolf’s six pounders roared again-gun drill had paid off. The gun crews were like a well oiled machine.
"Once more now lads, on the up roll fire!"
"Cease fire, cease firing," Gabe bellowed, countermanding his orders from just a breath before. "Cease firing, they've surrendered." The schooner had struck. A white flag, a shirt tied by the sleeves to a gaff hook was being waved.
"She never recovered from your ruse, cap'n," Lavery addressed Gabe. "She was ready starboard, but never got a gun in action to larboard. She never fired a shot."
Gabe looked at Dagan. He knew, Gabe thought, recalling Dagan's words, "she's poorly handled." Gabe didn't feel as joyous as he had a moment earlier.
"Do we send the boat over sir, or do we close and grapple?" Hazard was asking.
"I'll take a boat with the surgeon I think, Mr. Hazard, and have Mr. Davy along with the bosun and a few marines come as well".
"Aye, cap'n."
"Dagan, let's go see to our prize."
SeaWolf’s broadside had caused much damage aboard the Colonial schooner, Linda Lee. Spars
were down, cordage and riggings were severed and strewn. Several cannons were upturned. Bodies lay about. However to seasoned veterans like Mr. Davy and Graf, the bosun, the casualties seemed remarkably few upon first glance. Gabe, along with Dagan, boarded the beaten ship. A youth met them. He still held the gaff with its improvised flag of truce.
"Where are your officers, sir?" Gabe asked.
"Dead. They were trying to help man the larboard guns when you fired your salvo."
Looking about the deck Gabe could see ten or twelve bodies. Another dozen or so of the crew were miling about.
"Where's the rest of your crew?"
"Cap'n Crawford put most of them on prizes and they sailed on to Cuba."
"Where?" Gabe asked.
Realizing he may have given something away the youth became defiant. "None of your business you British bastard."
Davy took a sudden step forward. "Watch your tongue with my cap'n or you'll answer to me."
"That's enough," Gabe spoke to his loyal midshipman. "I'm sure the young gentleman meant no harm."
At that the youth spat on the deck. Mr. Davy lunged for the boy only to be stopped by Dagan, who looked dead in the privateering youth's eyes.
"There will be no more. Do we understand one another?"
The youth looked at the cold black eyes that seemed to penetrate into his soul. He could feel the hand of the man who had spoken on his shoulder and suddenly he knew not to push his luck.
"How old are you, boy?" Gabe was speaking again.
"Fifteen sir. Well almost fifteen."
"What's your name, son?"
"Andrew."
"Caleb, will you take Andrew back with you when you're finished here?"
"It will be my pleasure, Gabe. I'm sure he'd like to meet Mr. Jewell s."
Mr. Jewell s was Caleb's ape. Only a few knew his name was a reflection on part of his anatomy and not his disposition.
"Dagan, let's have a look at the captain's cabin.
Mr. Graf, send a party through the ship checking for damage and anything which may be of interest. Lt. Baugen, put a sentry on the rum stores. I'm sure there's some about, then have the prisoners searched for weapons, then get them in the hole."
"Aye, cap'n, we'll take care of it," Baugen replied.
Then turning to his men, "Marines, do your duty as the cap'n has ordered."
"Mr. Davy?"
"Yes sir, cap'n."
"Signal for Mr. Hazard to join me on the prize."
"Aye, aye sir."
"Sail ho! Fine on the larboard bow," the lookout cal ed down his sighting.
Lavery approached the master and Dagan.
"Two in one day?" The master raised his thick bushy eyebrows, ’If the Lord giveth, who are we to question his bounty?"
"Deck there, she's the Badger, sir. I've seen her in Barbados afore."
"Frances Fewghay of His Majesty's armed brig, Badger, the captain introduced himself to Gabe as he came aboard SeaWolf. "I'm part of Vice Admiral Gayton's squadron.
I'm on the way to Barbados by way of Port Royal, Jamaica.
As Dawkins served the of icers a glass of wine, Fewghay asked, "Have you heard Admiral Lord Howe is now in command of the North American Naval Forces. Admiral Shuldham has returned to England."
"What about Admiral Graves?" Gabe asked.
"He's going back as well, but word is he'll return after refit and overhaul."
Touching Gabe's arm Fewghay almost whispered,
"Rumor is Admiral Gayton is not well and will likely by returning to England soon also." Gabe wondered if Gayton was il or just didn't look forward to the trying times ahead.
"Land ho," the lookout cal ed halfway through the ’forenoon' watch.
"Where away," Hazard cal ed, his impatience at not already having been told not lost on the lookout.
"Two points of the starboard bow," came the answer.
Hazard went aloft with his telescope to identify the land. The eastern point of the island was visible. Quickly sliding down the stays Hazard quipped, "A perfect landfal."
"What else should we expect from our master?" Gabe joined in.
"We'll be entering Carlisle Bay soon," the master advised, feeling somewhat smug and strutting like a peacock.
"Let's make the ship ready to enter port," Gabe instructed his first lieutenant. He'd not have the admiral mentioning any defects if he could help it.
"Aye, sir, she's looking smart now but we'll "smarten' her up another notch."
Gabe then motioned to Dagan to follow as he went below to put together SeaWolf’s papers for the admiral along with usual dispatches and his reports on the capture of the prize. SeaWolf and her prize sailed to Barbados in company with Badger.
They rounded Needham Point and then tacked into Carlisle Bay. The master checked the bay depth for the anchor, and the gunner was making ready for the salute.
No sooner had the salute been given when the flagship signaled "Captain repair on board." Dagan had the gig ready and as they rowed over to the flagship, Gabe marveled at the light green color of the water inside the bay. It was here he had met Caleb. Would he remember that night? With the antics of Caleb's ape, he thought how could he forget.
"Flagship, sir."
Damn, Gabe thought, I've been daydreaming.
Admiral Gayton handed the dispatches to his flag lieutenant to sort while a servant fetched Gabe a glass of refreshing limejuice. The heat in the admiral's cabin reminded Gabe of just how cold it had been when he'd left New York. You couldn't find a warm spot. After reading Gabe's report on capturing the Linda Lee the admiral spoke.
"Not much fight in the Jonathans would you say, sir?" A little surprised at the admiral's tone, Gabe swallowed his limejuice before answering, "There wasn't that many on board to put up much of a fight, sir. Her captain had dangerously under-manned her, providing prize crews for the ships he'd taken."
Gabe was again surprised when the admiral's tone changed, "It does you credit sir to be so honest. I know those who would have doubled the number of enemy dead to make them look better."
Gabe breathed a little easier. He'd passed the admiral's little test.
"Did the boy say where they were home ported?"
"Not to me, sir," Gabe answered the admiral, "But when talking to my midshipman he stated that Port Royal, South Carolina was home. That's just down the coast from Charlestown."
"Hmmm," was the admiral's only reply as he scanned the pages Gabe had obtained from the captain's cabin of the prize. "That damnable fellow Crawford knew his business," the admiral continued. "He's captured a transport from Antigua laden with gunpowder on her way to Halifax. No wonder he's undermanned the schooner.
The transport was worth her weight in gold. He's also taken a merchantman loaded with winter uniforms, rifles for sharpshooters and ammunition. He's also captured three col iers loaded with coal but he doesn't say where. A busy man is he not?"
"Aye," Gabe replied.
Dropping the inventory sheets to his desk the admiral rubbed his brow and his face seemed to sag. The news of the captures by the privateer Crawford seemed to burden the admiral.
"You know," the admiral said addressing Gabe once again, "We just lost a brig loaded with three-hundred and
eighty-six barrels of gunpowder as she was headed to Philadelphia. Do you know what that does to our abilities to fight and sustain an engagement sir?" The admiral continued on without giving Gabe the opportunity to reply. " America does not have the ability to produce large quantities of gunpowder. In England, gunpowder is distributed to the ordnance yards at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Plymouth. It is from there it's then transported to Gibraltar, Jamaica, Antigua and then on to Halifax, Nova Scotia. From there it's distributed to where it's needed. At this point in the war, British forces are hamstrung by shortages of gunpowder." Standing and walking to the stern gal ery Gayton said,
"I'm sending you to Antigua. A convoy is soon to leave there for Halifax. Can you guess what the cargo is? Yes, I'm sure you can."
Again, the admiral didn't allow Gabe to respond. "I know you would rather do something more exciting than escort a bunch of slow merchantmen but that gunpowder has to reach Halifax. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir," Gabe answered.
As if on cue there was a knock on the door. The flag lieutenant entered. "I have everything ready, sir." Gabe knew the interview was over. As he made ready to depart the admiral addressed him once more.
"I'll buy the schooner into the service. Do you have anyone senior enough to command her?"
Taken aback and overwhelmed by the admiral's offer Gabe could only mutter, "Not here sir," but his thoughts were on Frances Markham. He'd love her.
As Gabe made his way out the admiral cal ed, "Give my regards to your brother and congratulate him on his flag."
"Aye, sir, I will."
"Gabe?"
"Sir," Gabe was surprised at being addressed so.
"My condolences in regards to the loss of your father.
He was a fine of icer and would be proud of you. If ever I can be of any service you have but to contact me." Finally, leaving the admiral's stateroom, Gabe could only shake his head. Damned if he ain't human!