Leopard (Fighting Anthonys Book 7)

by Michael Aye

  “Abandon ship, into the boat,” Montgomery ordered.

  As the men rushed to the longboat, the flames grew hotter as they leapt skywards. Others were now aware of the roaring inferno. Fear of the impending collision drove captains to send men to their ship’s guns. Cannons were quickly loaded and run out, firing independently. Great sections of the rails were blown skywards and sharpshooters were firing at Montgomery, their balls peppering the deck near the wheel, but it was too late. Montgomery kept station at the wheel, steering the inferno toward the anchored ships. Cables were cut and sails loosened but this only made the situation worse as ships drifted together, causing yard arms to tangle as they collided.

  The fire ship was lighting up the sky enough so that the gunners aboard HMS Leopard, had something to aim at. Vallin ordered the upper deck cannons to open fire on the beach and any vessel sighted. As the big guns roared, people on the beach, who had been wild-eyed, unbelieving observers, now ran inland, away from the deadly hell of Leopard’s guns.

  On board the fire ship, the current wanted to turn the ship so Montgomery had fought the wheel in spite of the intense heat. His face and hands felt like they were on fire. Unable to stand the roaring furnace any longer, he lashed the wheel, hoping the rope would not burn and part too quickly. Hearing his men shouting his name to hurry, he turned just as the deck planking burst into flames, the seams acting like a fuse or runners allowing the flames to run the length of the ship’s decking. His hands were burned and painful so Montgomery tried to use his arms to crawl over the stern rail where amid the crackling flames and shouts of his men, he dangled. He tried to look below to see the boat but the smoke had caused his eyes to water so much that his vision was blurred. Rough hands reached up, and grabbed hold of his body and plopped him down in the boat.

  “Out oars, shove off, handsomely now lads, else yer arse’ll be scorched before ye knows it,” the cox’n shouted.

  The fire ship soon drifted into the mass of tangled ships. Ship after ship succumbed to the flaming hell that the fire ship brought with it. Panic and terror gripped the anchorage that less than an hour ago was peaceful and silent.

  As the other ships caught fire, the sky lit up so that the Leopard’s gunners were now picking out their targets. Flames shot out gun ports and up the masts; and riggings were so bright the men who had raided the cavern at Bain Town paused in their rowing to watch the spectacle.

  “I’d not want to be aboard any of those ships,” a voice spoke out.

  “Nay, me neither,” several men replied in unison.

  Dagan placed his hand on Gabe’s knee, knowing his thoughts and feelings about the men on the ships. “War’s not always pleasant,” he whispered.

  Seeing the emotional toll the night was taking on his captain, Hex ordered, “Lively now, sooner we gets back to the ship, the sooner we gets a ration, I’m betting.”

  Smiling, Gabe thought, Hex knows how to speak to the men, how to motivate them. As the men started rowing, a loud boom was heard as it echoed across the water.

  “Powder room,” somebody volunteered.

  “Hope the sods got off,” somebody else said.

  “’E ain’t feeling nothing now if ’e didn’t,” another chimed in.

  “Silence!” Hex snarled.

  ***

  THE NEXT MORNING LEOPARD stood in as close to the shore as prudent. Charred timbers and debris floated out with the tide. Between Montgomery’s fire ship and Leopard’s guns not a ship floated. One of the ships had sunk close to the beach; water sluiced over its deck as the waves raced in and out. Satisfied their task was complete; they sailed back to Grand Cayman. After arriving, Gabe had the captains repair on board.

  Once everyone had greeted each other and been given a drink, they sat down at the table. “I’ve finished my report to the admiral,” Gabe announced. “Four ships destroyed, along with large amounts of powder, shot, small arms, large quantities of rum, and other plunder. I’d say that we had a very successful raid.”

  “Was all the rum destroyed or did Hex confiscate it?” Kirk asked.

  “To the best of my knowledge, it was done away with,” Gabe replied to Kirk. “But if he or Dagan approaches you with a good deal, I’d be suspect.” This brought the chuckle that Gabe knew it would. Most of the captains knew Hex had been a smuggler in his former life. “I think the admiral will be glad that we only lost one man and that there was only eight wounded,” Gabe said, getting back to business. “Not a bad night at all.”

  Looking at the captains, Gabe remembered how everyone had been dirty and sooty. All of them looked about done in, but Montgomery looked the worse. The intense heat had caused blisters on his face and hands. The coat sleeve on his right arm had been charred and ragged looking.

  Calling Doctor Cornish to look at his fellow officer, Gabe joked as Montgomery was being evaluated, “Damme, but you look a sight, Leonard.”

  Trying to smile hurt so much, Montgomery made a motion with his hand and arm that he knew Gabe would understand. Once Cornish was through with his administrations and had departed, Gabe took a leather purse from his pocket and after hefting it a time or two, he gave it to Montgomery.

  Leaning forward and speaking in a whisper, Gabe explained, “We found a chest full of specie. A small amount was lost transporting it to Leopard. Dagan would call it retirement. In this case, I call it just reward. Just don’t tell anyone.”

  Montgomery did manage a smile and nodded. Now back at Grand Cayman, with bandages still on his hands and arm, Montgomery still looked in pain but he smiled at the comments about Hex so that was a good thing.

  After the meeting, was over, Lieutenant Vallin was seeing the captains over the side. As planned, Dagan stepped up next to Montgomery and said, “A moment if you please, Captain.” Following Dagan back to the captain’s cabin, Montgomery found Gabe at his desk. Nesbit brought him a glass and he sat down when Gabe motioned for him to do so.

  “Admiral Anthony has been pressured to leave a ship, a naval presence as it were here at Grand Cayman when I sail,” Gabe said. “He left it up to me as to who gets the assignment, you or Captain Kirk. I wanted to make the offer to you first to accept or decline.”

  Montgomery looked at Gabe for a moment, and then asked, “Does my color have anything to do with the offer?”

  “Yes…and no. The First Resident made a comment to Lieutenant Vallin that struck true. Mr. Vallin is the son of a Scottish lord. His mother was an Indian princess. Lieutenant Vallin has found that being a half-cast, he was not as readily accepted by anyone at home other than his father. Here in the islands, he is readily accepted. At the Chief Resident’s party I saw you were well received. Therefore, I leave it up to you but you must decide quickly. If you stay, you will be looked upon as the authority. You will have to investigate and deal with the Galante woman, and let her know she’s being watched. You may even have to deal with privateers so I’d keep a close look out and have some gun stations built.”

  “How long will I be here?” Montgomery asked.

  Gabe shrugged, “Until Lord Anthony or some other competent authority relieves you. A year, or maybe until the war is over. I don’t know but I’d plan on a year. I will tell you that I’m sending a letter to the Gazette mentioning your name, and one to my brother-in-law recommending your promotion. Hugh is in Parliament. You may never get your swab. I don’t know, but you will always have my friendship.”

  “Thank you,” Montgomery said, trying to control his emotions. “I will take the assignment.” Shaking Gabe’s hand, he said, “I wish there were more like you.”

  PART II

  The Fallen Midshipman

  So many fallen comrades…now line the deck

  A once proud ship…now a floating wreck

  The ship’s men will put her…back to rights

  The chore I face…will take all night.

  Another shrouded soul…goes over the side

  And I feel guilty…cause I’m alive

  It’s the hardes
t letter…I’ve ever had to write

  A battle won…but what the price

  To say he did his duty…sounds so trite

  When telling her…of his sacrifice

  I’m sending her…a lock of his golden hair

  It’s not much…but it shows I care.

  —Michael Aye

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  THE BOAR’S HEAD WAS one of the finer taverns in Kingston and Port Royal. It was not up to the standards of Scolfes or the George Inn back home in Portsmouth, England. But for Kingston, Jamaica, it served a higher quality of patrons than the other dives of note close to the port. At a rectangular table with benches on each side that would sit four sailors sat Lieutenant Laqua, who had just risen from the master mate’s ranks; and Bart, the admiral’s cox’n, who in his uniform looked more like an officer than Lieutenant Laqua; Jacob Hex and Dagan. The latter two looked more like civilians in their dress than Royal Navy sailors.

  “Don’t let it bothers you,” Bart was saying. “You bedded the wench, gave her a bit of fruit from yer loin, and sailed away when yer ship weighed anchor. Yew didn’t die-vulge no secrets to my way o’ thinking.”

  “But she used me,” Hex said. A burden he’d suffered since he’d been made aware of Marie Galante’s activities with the privateers.

  “She could have used me all she wanted,” Lieutenant Laqua volunteered. “The only remorse that I would have had would have been when I had to give it up.”

  “That’s no error,” Bart chimed in.

  Dagan had kept silent. He, alone from the others sitting there, felt he understood. Jake had felt there was more to their whirlwind relationship. For Hex, it had almost been love at first sight. She was an exotic creature to be sure. She was all woman and knew how to dress to drive a man insane. Just seeing her, she had, in fact, stirred Dagan. How she picked out Hex was in itself a mystery. However, both he, and more importantly Gabe, had believed Hex when he swore he’d not said anything that she and her privateer friends could use. That Captain Neill and the Chief Resident, Mr. William Eden, seemed more inclined to doubt Hex, was why he felt so. His honor had been impugned.

  “Oh, Hex, let’s have another set and then we’s can pass the time wid a run at the cards,” Bart interjected.

  “Not likely,” the three men said at once, as they watched Bart absently do one handed cuts with a single hand.

  “Pay ’em no ’tention. Back in ’Bados this young planter said to me…’e said, ‘Bart, your feet stink, your breath’s bad and you don’t love Jesus.’ Now, you all knows I’ve a close place in me heart for Jesus so I jus’ clopped ’im a good’n side ’is noggin and thought no more bout it, I’s didn’t.”

  Now Hex, Dagan, and Laqua were laughing. “See, old Bart’ll get yer mind offen yer troubles, so how bout that game?”

  Laqua rose, “I can’t, I told Lieutenant Tolbert and Lieutenant Bufford I’d meet them.”

  “Too good for the likes o’ us now yew be a lieutenant, I see,” Bart said.

  “No,” Laqua responded. “I didn’t want to bring you guys down by hanging around you. Besides, Bart, I haven’t been paid for lieutenant yet so I definitely can’t stand your style of playing.”

  ***

  THE ADMIRAL, HIS FLAG captain, and the captains in Lord Anthony’s squadron had been invited to dine with Admiral Peter Parker, who was the naval commander of the Jamaica station.

  In a moment, when they were alone, Admiral Parker spoke to Lord Anthony, “I’ve sent out dispatch vessels to let Cornwallis know the Dons have joined in. He’s left the island vastly undermanned.”

  “Therefore, Gil, your stopping over is luck as I see it. With your squadron in and out as you’ve been, it may lead our enemies to reconsider attacking Jamaica. It might not prove to be such a suitable endeavor,” Parker exclaimed.

  “I’m glad we’ve been able to put forth a show of force, Peter. While I’ve left a good captain in command back at Barbados, I can’t help but feel the need to return. I’ve left a sloop of war at Grand Cayman. It is not a great warship, but it may cause a privateer to have second thoughts about cutting out merchant vessels. Besides, it does give the island’s people a sense of protection and hopefully will make them feel they’re not abandoned.”

  “Aye, now let’s go greet our officers,” Peter replied. As the two rose, Peter put his hand on Lord Anthony’s arm. “By the way, Gil, how did Kirkstatter react when he found out it was you and Sir Gabe who rescued him from the Dons?”

  Pausing to collect his thoughts, Gil spoke, “Let’s just say he was a changed man.”

  “I’ll bet,” Peter answered. “Humble pie will certainly change a man.”

  ***

  CON VALLIN SAT AT the tiny desk in his cabin. The mail boat had stopped over and there was mail from Grand Cayman. More importantly, there was a letter for him. The mail had been delivered to the flagship and a boat was sent from there to each ship that had mail. When the ward room servant had informed him of the letter, he thought it might have been from his father or fellow officer.

  That was until Patch, the one-eyed servant, had volunteered, “It smells good too, Mr. Vallin.”

  Taking a whiff of the envelope, Vallin knew who the letter was from…Hannah Bodden. It was the same perfume she had worn when they had gone riding in her uncle’s carriage the day after her birthday celebration. Had it just been the two of them, it would have been much nicer. But even with island society that was too much and a friend had gone along for the ride. Hannah had promised she’d write as soon as she’d received a letter from him. Reading her letter, Vallin found himself smiling. She might be an angel but her spelling was lacking.

  My deer Lieutenant Vallin,

  I had hopped to hear from you by now. I reelize you are off chasing pirates and may not have had time or you may be dead, killed by a pirate. I thought I simple must find out.

  The letter went on for a page and a half. Her closing remarks made Vallin’s heart race.

  I find that I have been compleetly smitten with you. I would like to know if you feel as I do.

  Do I?, Vallin wondered. Am I ‘smitten’ with the young lady? Sure I am, but is it love or lust? I’ll answer that in time, Vallin thought. For now, he’d just answer the letter.

  ***

  GABE WAS SITTING AT his desk reading a letter from Faith. She’d had a letter from his mother stating she might come to visit. She wanted to see her grandchild. A cave had been discovered on the island, and Admiral Buck had said they may take a day trip to go see it. He stated he’d take his cox’n, Crow, and Lum could come along and all of us girls and we could take lanterns and see the cave and maybe have a picnic. Faith had gone on to say she’d gotten his letter and Admiral Moffitt’s saying he was sent to find Gil’s ships and kill the Spaniards. Gabe found himself chuckling.

  “What’s so funny?” Dagan asked. Gabe handed him Faith’s letter. Reading the letter, Dagan began to frown but before he could comment, Hex knocked and came in.

  “Sir Gabe.”

  “Yes.”

  “I got a letter from the…ah…woman on Grand Cayman,” Hex reported.

  “Marie Galante?” Gabe inquired.

  “Aye sir,” Hex replied.

  Gabe looked at his cox’n and realized that this was not the usual Jake Hex. This man was a subdued person. The Jake Hex he’d always known was far from subdued. He’d never seen him so meek. “What does it say?” Gabe asked.

  “I haven’t opened it.”

  “Why not?” Gabe asked.

  “I just thought I’d let you do it or at least I would open it in front of you,” Hex said.

  Dagan put Faith’s letter down on Gabe’s desk. “Jake, I’ve told you, neither Gabe nor I, nor has the admiral or anyone who knows you, doubted your honesty, loyalty, or integrity.”

  Sensing where Dagan was coming from, Gabe added, “Jake, I trust you as much as I do Dagan and my brother…and in some ways more than I would my wife.” This brought a smile to Hex’s face. “Yo
u open the letter and if there’s something there you want me to see you can show me.”

  Hex nodded, and then sat in one of Gabe’s leather cushioned chairs. He read the one page letter, and then he looked up at Gabe and Dagan. “The wench says she took up with me to gain information, but found that she felt something about me that was different than the other men. Therefore, she didn’t pry me for information. Information she was sure I would not have given anyway. She had heard about the raids and by now I must know she was involved. One of the privateers was her brother. We sunk his ship. She said she was not trying to justify her actions by telling me all this, but wanted me to know how she felt about me and that our loving was real. So far, she’s not been arrested but her business is all but closed. She just wanted me to know the truth and that she was sorry if I was hurt by her actions.” Silence filled the cabin for a long minute.

  “I’d say I believe her,” Gabe offered.

  “Aye,” Dagan added. “This damnable war causes people to do some strange things. Jake, if I were you, I’d fold that letter up and put it in your chest. Things may not have turned out like you would have wanted it too, but I’d say you enjoyed something a lot of men would die for. A woman, who respected you enough not to want to cause you problems, yet cared enough that she gave you what she had…herself.”

  “Thank you,” Hex replied and walked out.

  “That letter was a Godsend,” Dagan said. “Were it not for Betsy, I’d be envious.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  A CONVOY APPROACHING JAMAICA WAS not an unusual sight. The island could expect three or four a year. However, with the war going on and the possibility of privateers wreaking havoc among the merchant ships, it was a cause for celebration when the convoy was sighted.

  The joy was twofold. For the islanders, it was the replenishment of needed goods and that occasional frill that had been special ordered. More often than not, it was for some planter’s wife, some sweetheart or young bride. But it was a joyous occasion for the escort vessels, ships where the captain, officers, and crew were under constant stress. Stress related to the enemy raiders who now hunted in packs. Stress related to sailing a ship with less than a full crew in all types of weather and the stress of trying to keep the grocery captains sailing in loose formation without the escort commander having to send one of his warships to harass some laggard.