The elders agreed and told him not to worry about anything. They would ensure the safekeeping. The men finalized the agreement and were pleased with simple shakes of the hands. Returning to the village, they once again struck up conversations chatting about everything under the sun except the pearls. Talk about the precious valuables among them would always be discussed in private settings. They continued their fruity concoctions, which affected him much as any alcohol he ever had. The difference was this drink tasted fruity sweet, and the effect snuck up on a person.
After the evening meal, they were served a hot cup of herbal tea that the elders sipped slowly, and gradually the conversation slowed as well. Heinrich soon found his head spinning and felt a soothing numbness come over him. He looked to the others, and they were grinning at him. He smiled back faintly aware of his happy mood. He did not question the contents of the drink for he trusted these good people. His eyesight hazed over and settled on the flickering embers of the wood fire. His head swam in a soothing hallucinogenic effect. No wonder these old men drank it religiously and were always content.
* * *
Nearly four days had passed when the See Wolf left the cove and was once again cutting its bow through the tranquil waters in its heading for the island of Puerto Rico. Heinrich had seen to it that the villagers were given certain foodstuffs they had onboard. They would restock on supplies once in San Juan.
During their layover within the lovely scenic cove, the men were rested, but they were also restless. The lengthy stopover in the cove presented the sailors with nothing of interest except days of rest from their chores on a lonely beach devoid of taverns and wild women. The crew had become edgy and craved for a port that offered something more exciting than sea shells and turtles. The voyage to Puerto Rico was only a full day’s journey, and as each hour went by, the men began anticipating the time they would be spending ashore carousing and mingling with the likes of others in their taste for dissolute behavior. The men longed for the kind of recreational venues that civilization held for them. They couldn’t wait to be off and get to San Juan where they could go into town and enjoy the taverns and cafés and let their hair down with drink and sleazy women to boot.
The time spent on the island was also used for the section leaders to lead the men through a series of simulated defense and attack scenarios. They drilled them hard until they saw a marked improvement. It was high time they showed themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Klaus had come back aboard ship in a gloomy mood having to say goodbye to Liza and promising her he’d be back to see her again. When that would happen, he had no idea, and the thought of that had him in joyless spirits. His fellow mates, who now included the entire crew, tried to cheer him up with promises of taking him along with them into port and showing him the time of his life in debaucheries he had never yet known. The attempts by the other sailors to snap him out of his downcast attitude were unsuccessful as the lad was stricken hard with a young love for the girl left behind. His mates believed that once they got Klaus into town, with several drinks under his belt, he would be just fine.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
TRIAL by FIRE
The schooner was steadfast on her heading to Puerto Rico and would make landfall that evening when high above within the billowing sails, lookouts shouted a ship’s sighting off their port side. Günter Dietz and Otto were near the helm together, and both raised their scopes and spotted the vessel off their bow. Keeping this heading, the two ships would sail directly parallel to each other and should be passing each other soon. The See Fuchs was sailing a half mile distance off starboard with just a skeleton crew as Heinrich had not fully manned the vessel yet.
“I make her out to be a three-masted frigate … a good two hundred tonner,” Otto stated.
“I concur and flying merchant flags,” remarked Günter. “She has just shifted her rudder; coming towards us directly.”
Otto removed his scope and told the sailor standing nearby the helm to go and fetch the captain. The sailor took off at a run. Then turning to Günter, who still had his eye to his scope, Otto asked, “If she means to come alongside, how long do you make her transit?”
“No more than seven to ten minutes at best,” answered the experienced sailing master. “She has now raised a white flag requesting to rendezvous.”
Otto thought quickly. Despite the white flag signaling peaceful intentions, they had to find out the ship’s objective after the incident with the British. Reiner and Bruno were standing together on the after-house deck just forward of the helm; their focus also on the frigate out to port. In matters of ship defense, Otto thought best to ask someone with practical experience. Otto shouted, “Reiner, the frigate is making a sharp heading toward us flying a white flag. Transit time is only a matter of minutes. She’s not showing British color schemes, and she is signaling peaceful intentions.”
Reiner shouted back in earnest, “We will not be so trusting. Ring the bell and blow the whistle!” Bruno jumped into action and left on the run to take up station way up front on the bow’s quarterdeck. The bell began its ringing, and the shrill whistles made themselves heard. The immediate noise of scampering boots on decking was heard all over the ship as crewmen rushed in haste to their prepositioned stations. Otto gave the order to hoist a white flag in reciprocation. Bruno spotted his men armed with a variety of weapons beginning to ascend the masts and burrowing themselves among the sails to locations where wooden planks had been attached for stable firing positions. So far everything was moving smoothly to Bruno’s pleased eyes as he watched the men scurry about in choreographed order. He wondered if Arnold’s, Reiner’s, and Diego’s men were responding with the same trained purpose and precision as his men were doing. He would bet his life they were, knowing how much and how well they all had trained and went through the drills so many times over the last few days.
Shouts of orders commenced in serious tones as Bruno was now joined by ten of his armed men on the bow, while the other twenty stayed back at the forward house wall in reserve. With much less space allotted at the bow, Bruno could not utilize his regular complement of thirty shooters. One of the men handed Bruno his trusted air rifle. They kept their weapons, blunderbusses, and muskets, hidden from view behind the thick bulwarks. He visualized Arnold’s riflemen getting into their positions. He now heard sailors echoing Otto’s commands giving orders to maneuver the ship in headings that would put their bows together, which would prevent any broadside cannon exchange. Sailors furiously worked at the sail riggings. Looking out over the water, Bruno could now see the frigate clearly without a scope as the two vessels closed on each other. The other ship began to angle to its starboard side trying to bring it alongside the See Wolf. Günter kept coordinating with his helmsman in ensuring the See Wolf’s bow stayed facing the vessel. The frigate’s deck structure was slightly lower than the See Wolf’s massive size and streamlined to provide speed at sea. The frigate’s length was shorter than the See Wolf; however, she was still a large vessel. She was now some seven hundred yards distant, and both Otto and Günter recognized the foreign flag – identifying her to be Portuguese.
Her cannon slats were closed as was the See Wolf’s. The cannon muzzles lurking behind them, however, could be exposed within a matter of seconds and the thought was not a pleasant one for either side. Bruno trusted that Manfred Rhine’s portside cannons were primed to fire and was certain Conrad’s starboard cannons were also. He hoped none would be required. They were closing the distance rapidly and soon a volley of cannon fire could produce quite an amount of structural damage and human carnage. He found his heart was racing and forced himself to take deep breaths to settle his nerves. It wouldn’t go well to fire his weapon with unsteady arms.
Whoever captained the Portuguese vessel gave up trying to come broadside and instead settled in a straight line with both bows facing each other. Sailors were seen moving about onboard the frigate. Otto and Günter were still straining their eyes through
the scopes to take in as much as they could see happening aboard the approaching vessel to ascertain any danger.
“I see no uniformed men about and no weapons so far,” Otto remarked.
“I trust your younger eyes,” replied Günter. “Slats are still closed.”
The older man broke from his scope and rubbed his eyes with a hand to clear his sight. Then raised the scope again while placing both elbows on the railing for support.
“Everything seems to be on the level.”
“I see a single figure at the bow. Looks to be in a dress uniform, Otto. How do you see him?”
“Yes, I see him. He’s wearing a uniformed coat. Not British. And now there’s another man that stepped next to him, also with a coat, but no hat.”
Slowly, but surely the two ships drifted closer to together, Portuguese sailors began to wave, and Bruno and his men waved back keeping a peaceful impression. Reason and caution at point-blank range were always more preferable between men with primed guns; it made for healthier results. Apart from the gun slats, everything onboard the frigate looked to be nonaggressive.
Now with but some fifteen yards distance, both ships’ bows were gently bobbing up and down on the fairly calm water. Heinrich had come forward with a handful of his combat leaders and stood alongside the ten shooters; their weapons still hidden from sight. Anton, ever present and vigilant, stood on his right, with Reiner and Diego just behind them. Fritz also joined them. Two boarding teams armed and ready had amassed on the main deck area aft of the forward house. They stood around in clusters as if they were making small talk, although suited in their dark brown leather upper body armor. A third and fourth team of boarders led by Caspar de Haan and Dedrick Kaas consisting of a dozen men each was hidden inside the bow’s armory, and all were armed ready to charge at a moment’s notice. Since these teams were fully armed, they would be the first to charge, while the other teams would hustle and grab their weapons and follow suit.
The two ships merged with but yards apart of each other at a slight angle allowing both ship’s massive and lengthy bowsprits to cross each other pointing in slightly different directions so their bows could come together. To prevent chafe damage to the two ship’s bows, sailors had secured sheets of coiled rope over the bulwark railings to act as buffers.
It was then the frigate’s officers stepped up to the bow railing and looked across at the group of men facing them. Heinrich managed a smile and then shouted across the narrow chasm first in German and then repeated the same question in English in greeting the ship’s masters. One man held up an arm and waved a curt greeting back at him.
“We speak English,” the man shouted across. “I am Captain Edmundo Faria, and this is,” he pointed to the man on his right, “my first officer, Luis Silva, and this is my second officer, Hilario Santos,” pointing to a much younger one. “And you are, sir?”
“I am Captain Heinrich Drope of the merchant schooner, the See Wolf,” as he waved his arm pointing down the length of the vessel. “The smaller schooner off to starboard is our sister ship, the See Fuchs. Are you shipping cargo, captain?” Heinrich asked.
The Portuguese captain hesitated a brief moment before answering. Heinrich knew it was customary not to divulge one’s cargo because no one wanted to just give away that kind of information in waters where pirates and privateers still sailed and plundered at will. Faria and his officer’s position at the bow gave them the visual of the See Wolf’s length, and the men readily saw the schooner’s array of topside cannons with crewmen standing about. Heinrich appreciated seeing the man take the schooner’s impressive posture in due regard. He felt a reassuring confidence. Brief glances between the three further explained their hesitation.
Finally, the man answered. “A very small mix of cargo, captain. Just boxes of spices, and what about you?”
Drope immediately wondered why the man lied as the frigate was showing a lower draft in the water indicating a much heavier cargo. “Or was his product light in weight?” Heinrich thought.
“My hold is completely empty at the moment for we are en route to purchase product.”
Faria nodded slowly and said, “I see. Where are you sailing to?”
“To the Windward Islands. Many stops to make,” Heinrich offered as an answer not wanting to give away his real destination.
“Very lovely region, captain. You should plan to stop in Barbados, while you are in the region. They have much in the way of spices if that is your interest. By the way, captain, if I may be so bold to ask. We are short on tar. Is there a chance that we might be able to get a small portion from you? That is why we signaled you to come alongside.”
Heinrich briefly ran the request through his head, while lips pursed in giving off a semblance of mindfully coming to a decision. They had plenty of tubs of tar on board. However, to transfer it would mean for the two ships to stay merged close together; close enough for a boarding even though the transit across was a narrow one at the bows. He saw the Portuguese sailors had already thrown thick coils of rope over the bulwark railing all along the length of the ship, for two ships to merge. Drope would never allow their broadsides to join. His men along the port side would be ready to cut any ropes attached to grabbling hooks that the frigate’s men attempted to toss across to pull the See Wolf closer for boarding.
Heinrich casually glanced to both sides taking in his men’s postures and then making visual contact with Reiner just aft, who met his eyes and crossed his arms on his chest. Reiner’s gesture meant that the ship was ready to meet a challenge. Heinrich turned his attention back to the Portuguese captain and shouted out, “That shouldn’t be a problem, captain. I will have a couple of men bring some tubs up from the hold. Ease your ship in slowly please.” Then he gave a curt order for Fritz to have two sailors fetch the tar.
“Just keep your bow steady, and we’ll bring the buckets shortly.”
“Thank you, sir. I am grateful for the kind gesture,” the other ship’s captain replied and ordered his second officer to have the ship close up the short distance with the massive schooner. When only a couple of yards apart, two Portuguese sailors leaped across holding rope ends and tied them to the See Wolf’s bulwarks to secure the two ships together. Just as the two sailors jumped back across to their ship, a melodious bird whistle was faintly heard coming from one of the lookouts high above. It was the prearranged signal to those onboard that armed men were spotted on board the other vessel. Instantly nerves were on edge aboard the See Wolf. Minds and bodies poised in alertness and anticipation of something disastrous about to occur.
Heinrich’s gut fluttered, and his muscles tightened as adrenaline surged through him. Slanting his head to one side, Heinrich drew a hand through his long brown wavy hair while sneaking a peek to his rear trying to see his men in their ready positions. “What did the frigate captain have in mind?” He could swiftly enough cut the ropes to separate the two vessels, but having come this close to hook up, his ship was committed, and the only escape from danger was to fight a close quarter battle. Breaking off from the Portuguese frigate was not a good option as both ships would be able to utilize cannons at close range as they tacked away from each other. At this narrow distance, that would be suicidal for both. Up to now, everything about the frigate seemed innocent enough. He would not have come near this ship otherwise. His crew was doing all they had trained to do to defend themselves. Did he have to avoid all contact with other vessels and perhaps put a boat in the water and row over to find out other’s intentions? Well, it was too late to elude this particular foe now. There was absolutely nothing more he and his crew could do to avoid a confrontation. He wanted so badly to know for sure that his men were ready for close in combat and able to overcome any opposition this Portuguese ship could throw at them. Yet he reminded himself he had to trust his crew was prepared enough by the training and readiness drills.
Glancing at Diego and Reiner, he saw the two standing by idly in relaxed poses as if it was just another day and
another practice session. He was astounded by their calm behavior, while they were standing on the precipice of a ledge with a wicked wind gust ready to knock them off at any moment. His admiration for the two warriors increased ten-fold instantly. He wished he could be that calm under the circumstances. And he thought he was a fighter. Here these two stood by as if they were going to be served hot cups of tea and biscuits; quite extraordinary men indeed.
The two vessels bobbed up and down gently on the water placidly when the Portuguese’s first officer abruptly shouted out commands in their native language. Heinrich looked at Diego wondering if the man understood the language; it never occurred to him to have asked about that capability, and even now Diego didn’t show any indication that he understood the commands given still standing alongside Reiner undoubtedly keenly aware of something ominous about to happen. Suddenly the Portuguese ship began to buzz with activity as sailors scurried across their decks in rapid movements. The See Wolf’s crew watched and waited; their concentration in serious regard for any tell-tale sign of a joint action of men charging toward them violently. Drope again thought any attempt by the frigate’s men to leap across would be a difficult one given the fact that the only transit path at the bow was a narrow one and would be bottlenecked given this fact. This would be true for his boarders as well as for the attackers. The bow section could at any time become an extremely busy location where battle actions would decide the outcome.
There was a loud and heavy scuffling of boots aboard the other vessel, and no less than several dozen sailors came in charging toward the bow, while the three Portuguese officers retreated along the railings, squeezing and squirming to the rear through the mass of men. They charged with blood-curdling yells. Part of his brain was stunned at the reality of it, while fortunately the prevailing thought and response was jumping into action.
From their bird’s eye view, the See Wolf’s riflemen among the rigging saw dozens of Portuguese men armed with a mix of bladed weapons suddenly bunched up together, and they began to take aim. Without a command given, one shot rang out and was followed up by many others in staggered order. Whoever fired that first weapon had perceived the danger much quicker than those below on deck; discerned the situation succinctly and opened up. A handful of Portuguese went down to the deck as hot lead conical projectiles felled them out of a mix of muskets and the new American-made groove-lined barreled rifles purchased in Savannah that helped stabilize the flight of the bullet and thus better accuracy was achieved.
Winds of Fury Page 45