It was the first time Gabe had noticed the boy since he’d come on deck and was glad to see that so far he was unhurt. As SeaWolf drove forward the bow of the fireship slipped further to starboard.
‘Mr. Lancaster.’
‘Aye sir.’
‘Run aft and give my compliments to the first lieutenant and tell him to be ready, hurry now.’
‘Aye, aye sir.’
As the boy scampered away Gabe turned to see the carpenter already had a crew helping Lieutenant Lavery and the bosun clear away the damage from the broken bowsprit. With a few chops the lines holding the dangling timber was cut away and cast over the side which did away with the drag and increased SeaWolf’s speed. They were in position to grapple now, they had but one shot. If they missed the chance the flagship would burn.
‘Grapnels away Mr. Jackson,’ Gabe ordered.
‘Heave men,’ Jackson bellowed. ‘A guinea for every grapnel that hooks.’
Gabe watched as the grapnels flew through the air. Not a miss. What luck, Gabe thought.
Now the slack was playing out. Would the lines hold Gabe wondered? Would they be able to affect a tow?
Snap! The first line parted creating a sick feeling to enter Gabe’s stomach. It was then SeaWolf slowed almost to a halt, like a great anchor was on her. The other lines were holding…so far.
‘Her bows turning,’ Jackson shouted, ‘We’re bringing her around.’
Satisfaction now replaced the sickness Gabe had felt only a moment or two ago.
‘Mr. Gunnells, would you be so kind as to bring us up a point please?’
‘Aye, cap’n, up a point.’
‘Fire, fire forward.’
Gabe looked at the fiery remnant of a sail that had landed near the bow chaser. Lieutenant Lavery and a group of men were working frantically to put out the flames. Hopefully the gunpowder used to fire the bow chasers had been used up or properly taken care of otherwise there might be two ships ablaze instead of the one.
Feeling the deck rumble beneath his feet Gabe could tell they were picking up speed. So far they were successful in creating the tow. He could still feel the intense heat coming from the fireship. Now fiery remnants of the fireship’s sails were filling the air blowing in several directions. Gabe could also hear the hiss as debris hit the water which extinguished the flames. How long would it before the grapnel lines were burned into?
‘Mr. Gunnells.’
‘Aye, cap’n.’
‘Is the wind still off the shore?’
‘Aye, cap’n, almost directly astern.’
‘Very well, now steer a course to take us out of the harbour. We’ll keep that course until the tow lines part.’
‘Aye cap’n.’
‘Looks like we did it captain.’ This was from Jackson who looked dark and sooty.
‘Yes, so far Dagan’s lady luck has held.’
BOOM…BOOM…
‘What the hell?’ Jackson cursed.
‘We’re being fired on sir,’ Lavery volunteered. ‘Probably the whoresons that set the fireship into action.’
‘Aye,’ Gabe replied. ‘They were probably standing off to see the results of their deeds.’
‘A bit disappointed I’d say,’ Lavery said.
BOOM…BOOM…
‘No hits as of yet but that last one was close enough to rock SeaWolf.’
‘Did anyone see where the shots came from?’
‘Aye,’ this from Dagan. ‘They’re off the larboard bow.’
‘Mr. Lavery.’
‘Aye, captain.’
‘Let’s load and run out the larboard guns. Don’t wait for my order. You see a flash you let loose.’
‘Aye, captain, we’ll give ’em what for.’
Snap…Snap… Two more of the tow lines parted. Only three lines left.
BOOM…BOOM…
This time a ball hit amidship plowing its way through the line of men in the bucket brigade and coming to a stop as it hit one of the cannons on the starboard side.
BOOM…BOOM…BOOM…
Gabe felt SeaWolf’s deck shudder as one after another of her larboard guns were fired, flames leaping out of the mouth of each cannon scorching the night air. Did they score a hit? There was no real way to know but the enemy will know we’re ready, Gabe thought.
After several minutes the night remained quiet except for the hissing sound from the fireship which was now completely engulfed in flames. The heat was blistering SeaWolf’s paint and making it difficult for the men to carry on. Smoke drifted forward with the wind, burning one’s eyes and causing men to cough and gasp for breath as smoke filled their lungs.
Snap…Snap…Snap…
‘There goes the tow lines,’ Jackson reported.
‘Aye,’ Gabe replied, ‘Prepare to come about, then Mr. Gunnells take us back to our anchorage.’
‘Aye, cap’n,’ the old master replied. He to was relieved and glad to be away from the burning hell that had once been a ship.