The Rescue

by Perry Comer

There was a sharp crack. Donland and Jackson looked up at the mast.

  “Belay!” Richards shouted.

  “That boom wasn't strong enough,” Jackson said.

  “Aye,” Donland agreed. “I shall go on deck, you return to Hornet. Mister Monroe follow me.”

  “Aye,” Jackson said as he watched Donland rise.

  “Take us alongside,” Jackson commanded the boat crew.

  Once alongside, Donland placed one foot on the boat's gunnel and reached for the deck railing. He then hoisted himself up and over the railing.

  Richards immediately turned to face Donland after David whispered, “Captain!”

  “The boom won't take the strain Captain,” Richards said.

  Donland studied the rigging, “Aye, the gun is full of water and increased the weight. Send the boat to Hornet and fetch another boom and fit it to the mast. You'll need to double rig both booms and fit more blocks. Once you've done that, tie on to the truncheons to hold the weight and run the line onto the knob so the gun will come up knob first and the water will drain.”

  Richard's face lit with understanding, “Aye, Captain.”

  Honest placed a platter of steaming roasted pork and whole potatoes on the table. Donland set down his wineglass and took up the knife and fork. He sliced a bite-size piece of pork and shoved it in his mouth. It was hot, all but burning his lips. He hastily pulled a hunk of bread and crammed it into his mouth. He chewed then took up the glass.

  Swallowing, he wiped his mouth. “Commendable Honest, commendable indeed. Fresh bread is rare.”

  “Aye Captain, one of the new hands named Amos, said he learned from his mam. I've set him to be the cook,” Honest said.

  Donland continued to eat.

  “Captain, beg pardon for asking but I said I would, about the punishment tomorrow,” Honest began but Donland cut him off.

  “It will proceed, I've no choice and you know that I haven't. Those men will receive less than is due. Do you not agree?”

  Honest merely said, “aye.”

  A knock at the door interrupted the meal. Donland looked up to see Lieutenant Richards standing in the doorway. “Enter,” he said as after swallowing.

  Richards apologized, “Beg pardon for interrupting your dinner.”

  “And,” Donland said as he took up his glass of wine.

  “The ketch sir, will it be repaired?”

  “Aye, it will be providing her timbers are sound. I'm told she can be made seaworthy in about a week or less,” Donland answered and studied the young man. He knew what was on Richards’ mind, it would have been on his if their roles were reversed.

  “She'll need a prize crew and a master, Captain,” Richards managed.

  “It's already decided Mister Richards, Lieutenant Monroe is your senior, therefore he will be master, you will be his first. The crew will be Jacket's survivors,” Donland stated firmly.

  Richards was crestfallen, it was plain on his face.

  “I would suggest you find Mister Monroe and inform him of my decision, I've not told him any of this,” Donland said.

  “Aye, Sir,” Richards said and hesitated.

  Donland laid aside his knife and fork. He said firmly, “Lieutenant Richards, serving as prize master would not advance your career nor will it Mister Monroe's. Both of you are without a ship and will be on the beach unless someone of senior rank intervenes. You know that as well as I. Again, I suggest you seek out Lieutenant Monroe.”

  “Aye, Sir,” Richards said and turned to go.

  “Mister Richards what of the guns?” Donland asked stopping Richard in his tracks.

  Richards stopped just short of the door. “We've one gun out and on the deck. The men are bringing up the first carriage. The men are to wait on my return before attempting the second gun.”

  “Proceed,” Donland said then explained, “I've decided to mount the two from the ketch on Hornet's bow and the other two on Stinger's. Have the launch lowered and move the guns and carriages to the beach. It will be more work but I've two objectives and the first is to get the ketch floated and the second is to shift and mount the guns. I intend to do all within a week's time.”

  “Aye Captain, I will attend to it,” Richards said.

  Chapter Seven

  The sun was well in the sky when Donland came on deck. “Send captain repair aboard,” he ordered Aldridge.

  “Aye Captain,” the young midshipman answered.

  “Mister Jackson I'll have the forward larboard and the starboard guns removed. I intend to have two nines in their place. Send the guns and the carriages ashore. Mister Richards will be using our launch and I will make arrangements with Captain Powell to use Stinger's.”

  “Aye Captain, I thought as much,” Jackson said with a hint of glee. “Old Hornet will have more punch if I'm any judge.”

  “Aye, and a better defense,” Donland added.

  “Beg pardon Captain, boat coming across from Stinger,” Aldridge interrupted.

  “Captain Powell must have read my thoughts, thank you, Mister Aldridge.

  “Mister Jackson, honors if you please,” Donland advised.

  Powell came aboard to the twitter of pipes. Donland greeted him, “A fair day and a fair wind.”

  “Aye, Sir,” Powell acknowledged.

  “Let us go below, I've a matter to discuss with you,” Donland said.

  “Wine?” Donland asked as Powell seated himself in a chair.

  “I think not, but thank you for the offer,” Powell answered.

  Donland sat in the chair across from Powell, “I've decided to re-float the ketch and to shift the nines, two to Hornet and two to Stinger. I believe all can be accomplished within a week. Once done, we will sail in company for Savannah and discharge our prisoners and the ketch.”

  Powell then asked. “The matter on your mind?”

  Donland grinned. He liked that Powell always went straight to the point. “To accomplish all I will undertake will require both companies. How are your repairs progressing?”

  “Another day and a half at least. We've yet to repair deck planking and railings. In all respects we could sail within the hour,” Powell stated.

  “Best to see to the planking and there will need to be some bracing accommodate the larger guns.”

  Powell nodded and said, “Aye, I considered such but there is the issue of material as I used most of my spare planking and bracing.”

  “Hornet has little as well. I believe it would be in order to send a party around to Jacket's hulk and salvage what is available,” Donland said.

  “Aye, that should be sufficient,” Powell agreed.

  Donland crossed his legs and said, “There is also the matter of prisoners. Lieutenant Jackson informs me that there are fifty-one. I decided to set Mister Dewitt to questioning them and determining which are trustworthy. A few good hands would not come amiss.”

  “I would be happy to send Lieutenant Coopersmith across to assist Mister Dewitt, he may be young but with Mister Dewitt's guidance he may secure a few hands for Stinger,” Powell suggested.

  “Aye, and send along eight men to relieve those doing the guarding. Those doing the guarding will have had their fill of the beach by now.”

  “Aye, and what of the prisoners from Dolphin, have you gained any worthwhile intelligence?” Powell asked.

  Donland rose and went to the sideboard, “Will take a glass?” Donland asked.

  Powell rose, “Aye.”

  Donland poured and handed a glass to Powell. “Dolphin made use of a small port to the east of San Juan. The Dons allowed her to come and go as she wished and to conduct business. Which consisted of trading prisoners, receiving ransoms and selling captured vessels. The arrangements benefited both. The Dons gained intelligence and the privateers had protection. As to the comings and goings of the Dons, I’m told that there is an ancient sixty-four anchored in the harbor. And, there are three frigates on station. The harbor itself is well protected by several batteries; two are located on smal
l islands at the harbor's entrance. In my estimation, San Juan could not be taken by less than a fleet.”

  “But it is not San Juan that concerns you,” Powell stated.

  “Aye,” but the intelligence is useful. I'm sure the admirals and spies would welcome it. More so, the arrangement between the privateers and the Dons.”

  “Speaking of such,” Powell said and reached inside his coat and pulled out two folded pages. “My report on the action.”

  Donland took the reports and laid them on his table. “I shall read them later and enclose them with mine. They read as, I expect, my own except for your company's heroics under fire.”

  “Every man his duty,” Powell said.

  “Such as I would expect under your command,” Donland said and paused. “That said, there is another matter that I've had to consider, command of the ketch.” He drank the last of his wine. “I will assign Lieutenant Monroe as prize master and Lieutenant Richards as his first officer. Monroe is the senior and, therefore falls to him. I considered those of Hornet and those aboard Stinger but believe it best that since those officers are unemployed, it should fall to one of them. Do you agree?”

  Powell said, “It is your decision for you are senior here and it is not for me to comment. But since you inquire, I would say yours is the appropriate decision. Neither man's loss would weaken either ship's company.”

  A knock sounded at the door. “Enter!” Donland called.

  Lieutenant Monroe entered, saw Donland and Powell and seemed speechless.

  “What is it, Mister Monroe?” Donland asked.

  Monroe closed the door. “I beg pardon Captain, I should come later,” Monroe managed.

  “We were just discussing your appointment as prize master so it is opportune that you knocked,” Donland said.

  “That's why I have come, Richards just told me of your intentions. Sir, I would that the honor go to him,” Monroe stated.

  “Why so?” Donland asked.

  “I wish to remain with Hornet until she reaches port.”

  Powell sat down in the chair seeming amused.

  “Mister Monroe, you are not being forthright, I detest when a man doesn't speak his mind. You may speak your reason, Captain Powell nor I will judge you for it.”

  “Very well, Captain. I've learned from one of the prisoners than Atross was taken to a port near San Juan. I hope to persuade you to look into the port and see if it would be possible to cut her out. Without Dolphin's guns, I would think that taking a look would not hazard Hornet.”

  “Mister Monroe I understand your concern for Atross and for your career. But, you are not aware of the difficulty of, as you put it, taking a look. My information is that San Juan is well defended with ships and batteries. Therefore, the risk is greater than you assume.”

  Monroe seemed to deflate.

  Powell rose from his chair. “Captain Donland, there may be a way to have a look without a risk to Hornet.”

  Donland turned toward Powell, “How so?” he asked.

  Powell smiled and said, “The ketch, they'll not fear her and she will be known to them. She could go in with a small crew, take the measure of defenders and find a means of getting word back to Hornet. Would you be willing to undertake such a venture Lieutenant Monroe?”

  Monroe's face brightened, “Aye, Captain Powell,” he said at once.

  Donland did not answer but allowed the possibility to play out in his mind. He walked to the far side of the table and stared out the stern window.

  “It could go well,” Monroe said.

  Donland turned and replied, “It could also end in disaster with you as a prisoner once again. Have you considered that?”

  Monroe did not falter, “Better having tried and a prisoner than not trying. The admiralty will not thank me for losing her and escaping.”

  “The board of inquiry would not fault you if what you have told me to be the truth. Yours is not the first vessel lost to privateers nor will she be the last. I do not believe you have anything to fear from that quarter. But, I do understand your desire to cut her out. Were it Hornet, I'd seek any avenue to recover her. For the present, we have enough on our plates to occupy us for a week. Events might unfold to prohibit us from doing anything more than what is planned. The powers that be may well send orders that change what is possible and what is not possible. Let us, therefore, be about our duty.”

  “Aye, duty first,” Powell said. He added, “I should return to mine.”

  “Soon Captain Powell, but I've a few details to go over with you,” Donland said and sat.

  Monroe looked from Powell to Donland, “I too should return to my duty.” He turned and opened the door and closed it as he left.

  Donland waited until he was sure Monroe was out of earshot. “It may be an opportunity to rescue a number of our people and an opportunity for more than one prize. What is your opinion?”

  Powell grinned and said, “Aye, but he'd best not know you're considering a look. Wouldn't do for him to have his hopes raised. I agree that the plan may be more than feasible, still it would depend on the Dons.”

  “The fly in the ointment,” Donland mused. “But such will have to wait until repairs are accomplished.” Changing tack he asked, “How are your stores?”

  “Stinger has half her shot and power. No spare cordage, food stores will see her through two weeks without rationing,” Powell stated.

  “Perhaps you can supplement your food stores from the pirate camp and the island.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Now concerning the prisoners, how many can you take aboard?” Donland asked.

  Powell considered the question then asked, “Why not just leave them on the island? Leave them enough food for a few days and let that be that.”

  “I've considered the possibility but if we venture forth to look into that harbor and are delayed, another pirate might rescue this lot.”

  “I'd rather risk that than have them aboard. The odds of them causing mischief aboard are, in my opinion, greater. We'd do well to hang the lot of them and be done with them.”

  “Your logic is sound, I'll give you that,” Donland agreed. “For the present, I'll keep them on the island and under guard. The decision as to what to do with them can wait. We do have other more pressings matters and you best return to Stinger.”

  “Aye, I'll take my leave,” Powell said and picked up his hat.

  Donland stood gazing out the stern windows at the empty sea. The sky above was clear but to the east was a mat of mackerel cloud. Hornet rolled gently while tugging at her anchor. The greasy smell of the cook's vent drifted through the window. He had grown used to the shipboard smells but there was something different.

  “Honest, what's that smell?”

  Straightening himself in the chair, Honest sniffed the air. “Burgoo I imagine.”

  “Something more,” Donland said.

  “Aye, probably some vermin the lads brought back from the island to make a stew with. I'd not dare to venture it's like.”

  A tapping at the door interrupted the discussion. “Enter!” Donland called.

  “Beg pardon for intruding, but I'd like a word,” Dewitt said.

  “Please make yourself comfortable Mister Dewitt, perhaps some wine?” Donland asked.

  “Thank you but no, I've come for a purpose, to ask an indulgence,” Dewitt said as he sat.

  Donland nodded. “I thought you might and I've already considered what you are going to ask. You know, as every man aboard knows, that discipline must be maintained. Your man Porter knows it well. He also knows that he will be receiving the least possible punishment. I dare say, that were it not for you, he would receive double for he was charged with a task. So, before you ask, know that I've decided and the punishment will be meted out.”

  Dewitt did not speak but nodded. He made to rise.

  Donland spoke before Dewitt could leverage his bulk from the chair. “Mister Dewitt we have served together for some time now, I trust your judgment
and I have to ask you to trust mine on this matter. It is not something I do out of anger or malice. I would spare all four the cat for you know I detest flogging. But, Porter failed in his duty at a critical time and that I can't overlook.”

  Dewitt pursed his lips. “I do understand Captain, but he begged me to see you, so now I've done so, my conscience is clear.”

  Donland came from behind the table and sat opposite Dewitt. “Do you know Puerto Rico, in particular, Punta Diego near the eastern coast?”

  “I've sailed into San Juan only and that as a youngster. I'd not know more than the chart can tell me,” Dewitt answered.

  “Then, I would that you would study your chart. Hornet may have cause to sail near the anchorage.”

  “Aye, Captain. I will do so,” Dewitt said and asked, “Is there another matter?”

  “No, Mister Dewitt, you may return to your duties,”

  “Aye, Captain,” Dewitt said and heaved himself from the chair.

  Chapter Eight

  “Rig the grating!” Dawkins shouted and blew his pipe. The bell clanged six times.

  “All hands lay aft to witness punishment!” Jackson shouted.

  Donland jammed on his hat and adjusted his neckerchief. It was time. He made his way to the hatchway amid the scuffle of feet as the hands assembled.

  Jackson saluted Donland as he gained the deck.

  Donland took his place and opened the punishment log. He began to read aloud to the men the offenses committed by the four, “drunk while on watch” he read instead of “drunk during watch and in the face of the enemy”.

  “The penalty will be six lashes!” Donland concluded.

  Porter was the first. His hands were tied to the grating. He said nothing.

  Dawkins drew back the cat and swung with decent force. Porter winced with pain but did not cry out.

  “One!” Dawkins said and inspected the cat taking his time. Satisfied, he again drew the cat back, waited several seconds then swung the cat. The blow caused Porter's knees to buckle slightly.

  “Two!” Dawkins said.

  Donland watched all four men being flogged. His face showed no trace of emotion. He had seen it before, worse and on weaker men. All four received the lashes, each accepted their punishment without protests and none cried out. He was glad when it was ended.