The Seahorse (8 page)

Chapter Twelve

Commodore Lord Benjamin Hewes set sail the week after Anthony's squadron and Lord Ragland had arrived. Lord Hewes was an old gentleman who was glad to see a younger man take over as governor during these troubled times. He was to sail back to England with Admiral Teach.

Lord Anthony held a meeting for all captains, first lieutenants, and masters. He introduced Sir Victor, the foreign office agent, to his men. He explained the problem with shipping and privateers, the likelihood of France entering the war soon and the tactics he intended to deploy.

“We will take a few days to replenish our ships and then we will get down to the business at hand—winning a war for England.”

After the meeting, refreshments were served, and then pipes and cigars were broken out.
New faces and old
, he thought.
How quickly they come together as comrades
. A poem he'd read came to mind.

You laugh, you drink, you dance

You men who sail the sea

For tomorrow who's to know

What might assail upon thee

Be it gale or sword or cannon

A sinking ship it be

So live life hearty

You men who sail the sea

As the meeting ended Gabe caught Anthony's eye and held back.

“So Dagan showed up?” Anthony asked.

“Aye, just like he said.”

“Where is he now?”

“Having a wet with Bart and the master.”

“Aye, I would expect that given the chance. Sir Victor wants to visit St. Lucia tomorrow,” Anthony continued. “He has asked for two ships. More specifically he's asked for you and for the
Lizard
.”

“You don't like the man do you?” Gabe asked.

“Not him as much as what he does. He's a spy…a necessary evil but an evil just the same.”

After a pause, Gabe said, “The fly and the fly trap.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Anthony responded. He laid his hand on his brother's shoulder. “Have a care.”

“I will.”

“Good…now if you have no other engagements, dine with me tonight. You and Dagan.”

“My pleasure, Gil. I want to tell you about my new servant.”

***

The sun was hot…bright and hot as it dazzled off the glass-like surface of the Caribbean Sea, creating a harsh glare. Gabe plucked at his sweat soaked shirt. It was sodden through and through. He was thirsty as was every jack tar aboard the ship. Gabe used his hand to shield his eyes as he looked across to
Lizard
not two cables to starboard.

He wondered if her new captain was cursing the sticky deck seam that gripped at your shoes, or was he below in the shade?
He had that advantage
, Gabe thought.
If I went below I'd have to make polite conversation with Sir Victor. I wonder if yonder
captain knows his ship is being used as bait
.

Richard Culzean had until recently been the first lieutenant aboard Admiral Teach's flagship. Now he was given command of a twenty-eight-gun frigate, a tribute to the departing admiral.

“A nice ship even if she is a bit old.”

Gabe turned to find Dagan speaking.
He always seems to know what I'm
thinking
, Gabe thought.

“It's an excellent ship for his first command.”

“Well, I expect he's earned it,” Dagan said. “Three years as a first lieutenant aboard a flag ship.”

“Aye,” Gabe answered, feeling ashamed of his retort. “At least I never had to work my way up the chain of command spending years as a first lieutenant. Thanks to Gil.”

“How is the new recruit doing?” Dagan asked, speaking of the little cook, Nesbit.

“Splendid, just splendid. If only he could play the lotz or violin,” Gabe replied.

“Aye,” Dagan smiled. He missed Lum's musical talents as well.

“Here comes the surgeon,” Dagan volunteered.

Isreal Livesey had been recommended by the Portsmouth Port admiral as a highly competent, seldom in his cups surgeon, who was also a good card and chess player. The old man was as weathered an old salt that Gabe had ever seen. His skin was like mahogany wood. He had a portly appearance with round shoulders. He also had a huge cherry-like nose and heavy jowls that looked bigger than they were because of mutton chop whiskers. His eyes drooped, not unlike one of Lord Anthony's hounds and were the saddest thing Gabe had ever seen. However, he was a jovial old soul and kept the wardroom in stitches with his jokes and tales.

A hail from the lookout made Gabe look across the way to
Lizard
. Her commission pennant, which only minutes before had hung limply, now fluttered with a small breeze. This excited the crew as they rushed to the bulwark to see. They were half naked men whose skin had lost the pale white of England and now was almost a copper or bronze color.

The calm had occurred shortly after Barbados disappeared over the horizon. Now maybe it was over. A flapping noise was heard overhead as the sails filled with the freshening wind. Then a loud snap was heard as the main sail became taut. Cheers went up from the crew.

“Mr Lavery.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“If you can regain control of the crew would you reset the watch?”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Mr Gunnells, if you will kindly put us on a course to St. Lucia.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Mr Livesey.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“It appears your coming on deck caused the wind to return. I consider you a lucky soul. It would be my pleasure if you would dine with me tonight.”

“Thank you, sir. I accept of course.”

“Good,” Gabe said. He then added, “With your luck I shall request you as my partner if we can talk our guest from the Foreign Office and Dagan into a hand or two.”

The little surgeon clapped his hands together and smiled. “Indeed, Captain. It will certainly be my pleasure.”

Gabe had known several seamen would overhear his conversation with the surgeon. It had been intended. Seamen were usually a superstitious lot. Having the captain think the surgeon was a lucky man could only help.

Gabe's cabin was cool compared to the blistering heat on deck. Sir Victor was seated next to the stern windows looking out, his mind on God knows what.

Nesbit appeared and asked, “A glass of hock for you and the gentleman, sir.”

“Aye,” he replied for both of them.

Seeing the little man go to retrieve the hock it was hard to imagine this mild and meek person would have the gall to pull such a stunt as he did with the tavern's owner.
I'll remember to be polite
, Gabe thought.

Gabe had just finished his hock and signing a collection of papers the purser had brought when the sentry knocked.

“Mr Ally, sir.”

Once the boy was inside the cabin, Gabe could see from his excitement that something was up.

“Mr Lavery's compliments, sir, and I think I hear gunfire.”

Gabe had leaned back in his chair when the sentry knocked. Now he sat upright.

“You hear gunfire!”

“Yes sir.”

“Course it could be thunder.”

“There's not a cloud in the sky.”

“That's what the master said, Captain.”

“Very well, tell the first lieutenant I will be on deck directly.”

As Gabe reached for his hat, Sir Victor asked, “May I come on deck with you, Captain?”

Taken aback with Sir Victor's sudden show of manners, Gabe replied after a pause, “Of course, sir.”

Seeing the captain come on deck, the helmsman whispered to the master, “Cap'n on deck.”

The master then nudged the first lieutenant, who turned and reported, “Mr Ally heard the sound of gunfire, sir. Then it was heard again but so far there's too much haze to see any distance.”

Seeing his captain look up, Gunnells volunteered, “The winds holding.”

“There it is again,” Midshipman Ally said, pointing to larboard.

“Damme, but that boy has got ears,” Gunnells exclaimed.

“We will go investigate,” Gabe said. “Mr Gunnells, two points to larboard if you please. Signal
Lizard
to take station to starboard, Mr Hawks.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Have nets and chain slings rigged, Mr Lavery. We don't want a busted noggin from falling spars.”

This caused a group of seamen to laugh. The men lay to with frenzy. The possibility of prize money was on everyone's mind.

“Gawd, Phelps! Take another turn on the tackle. That net's as loose as a Portsmouth whore's drawers.”

“Buckley, lend a hand, you lubber. Haul tight now me laddies. Haul tight I say.”

Graf, the bosun, was everywhere, shouting as he went. “Rose, ye little nipper, I see ya shirking.”
Smack
…encouragement by way of the bosun's starter. “Now carry your load, ya laggard.”

In the distance another rumble was heard, this time by all those on the quarterdeck.

“Mr Lavery, swing out the boats for towing.”

From overhead the lookout called down, “Three ships…one much smaller than the other two, probably a brig.”

“Who do you think they are?” This came from Sir Victor, causing a glare from the officers on the quarterdeck.

Dagan spoke up. “Who knows, but they can't all be friendly.”

This caused an eruption of laughter from those gathered. Gabe gave Dagan a brief nod, thankful he'd defused any friction before it got out of hand. Sir Victor would have to learn quarterdeck etiquette.

“Beat to quarters, Mr Lavery. I fear this day is about to get hotter.”

Taking his glass Gabe could see the little brig had been boarded. The deck was all but overrun by privateers.

“Your weapons, Captain.” Paco, ever silent but always there, had gotten Gabe's sword and pistols. Seeing his captain look at the pistols, Paco added, “Loaded and primed, sir.”

Within nine minutes
Peregrine
was cleared for action. Constant drill from the time they left Plymouth with the convoy had paid off.

“Have the guns loaded but don't run them out yet. Double shot and grape,” Gabe ordered.

Peregrine
and
Lizard
bore down on the battling ships. A ship the size of a large frigate and a brigantine had apparently captured the small brig.

“That's the same frigate we saw leaving England!” Lieutenant Wiley exclaimed. “I marked her well so I'd not forget.”

“Deck there, they've seen us.”

“Too late,” Gabe said. “They have to fight. Mr Hawks!”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Signal
Lizard
engage brigantine.”

The mid ran off then halted and turned. “Aye, Captain.”

“Excited that one is.”

Seeing the approaching ships, the privateers made a hasty retreat back to their own ships.

Lieutenant Davy said, “Listen sir, they are cheering us on. The brig's people are cheering us on.”

Suddenly the sound of a broadside vibrated across the waves. Everyone was silent as the lookout called down, “The frigate 'as fired on the brig. She be in shambles, sir.”

“Damn the whoresons,” Sir Victor said. “That was a hellish thing to do.”

Gabe was suddenly calm, recalling something his brother had once said. “He's trying to rile you. Mad men make mistakes.”

The distance was closing rapidly now.
She's larger, a forty-four at least
, Gabe thought.
We can't match her gun for gun.

“Mr Gunnells, do you see yonder ship has her larboard gun ports open?”

“Aye, Captain, she expects us to pass that way.”

“When I tell you, put your helm down. We will cross between her and the brig.”

“Captain, there's precious little room.”

“There's enough. Mr Davy, we will open this dance with the starboard quartet if you please. Be ready.”

Lieutenant Wiley, who was to be in charge of the quarterdeck guns, looked wild-eyed at Lavery, not believing what he'd heard.

“You'll get used to it,” Lavery said nonchalantly. He added, “Sails her like a yacht in the channel, don't he?”

Nearer and nearer the ships closed. The frigate's bowsprit loomed larger and larger.

“Now, Mr Gunnells, now.”

Peregrine
heeled over and men had to hold on as the deck canted. Sir Victor lost his footing but was grabbed by one of the quarterdeck gun crews.

Hanging onto a shroud, Gabe watched forward, “Wait…wait…now, Mr Gunnells, bring her up. Lively now. Mr Davy, open your ports and fire as you bear.”

Gabe shouted out his orders. As
Peregrine
passed between the brig and the frigate, he saw the senseless carnage.
Peregrine
shuddered as it made its way down the side of the frigate, her guns belching fire and death as the double shotted balls and grape tore into the enemy ship.