Leopard (Fighting Anthonys Book 7)

by Michael Aye

  Over the next quarter of an hour, they made several trips. After the first trip, Ariel said, “Isn’t that enough for a fire?”

  “I think we may be here for a while,” Buck said, as he was lighting a lantern.

  Outside, the sky was darkening and the wind was picking up. Rain was now blowing into the cave entrance. When the lantern was lit, Buck called to the women, “Let’s move back a bit, away from the wind and wet.”

  “We may be here for a while is what you’re thinking, is it not?” Livi asked.

  Buck nodded, but then added, “What more could we ask for? A roof to keep out the rain, and walls to keep out the wind.”

  Outside, Lum had approached Crowe, “You think we’s in foh a storm, don’t cha?”

  “Aye, Lum, a bad one from the look of things.” Lum nodded. “Let’s get the benches out of the wagon and unhitch the mules. Maybe get them just inside the cave,” Crowe said.

  Thinking they were sure to need the animals later, Lum agreed. It would be better than leaving them out in the storm. Now the dark skies were lit up with ragged streaks of lightning and the sound of distant thunder. The mules, wild-eyed and nervous, seem to understand the men were there to help them. Unhitching the mules from the wagon, the men, each with a bench over one shoulder, led the mules to the cave.

  As they entered the cave, Buck said, “Good thinking.” They were sure to need the animals later.

  “Should we light another lantern now?” Livi asked. Outside the sky was almost black as night and the single lantern didn’t put out much light. “I think we need to get a fire going so that Lum and Crowe don’t catch a chill, and that will add some more light,” Buck replied.

  Sam sidled up to Faith and whined. He did not like the weather and sensed the danger in the storm. Soon a fire was blazing, adding light, warming up Crowe and Lum and drying their clothes. Outside, the wind howled. The crack of lightning and the roll of thunder were almost constant. At the front of the cave, the mules stomped but did not attempt to go outside.

  Buck looked at the women. All of them were looking at him. Honesty, Buck decided, was needed. “This storm is not just a passing squall, I fear. I think it’s much worse than a simple squall. That’s a high wind, a very high wind…probably a hurricane. We are better off here than we’d be at home. No roof to blow off or walls to cave in. We couldn’t ask for a safer place. I don’t know how long we’ll be here, a day at least, I’d think. Crowe and I will search the cave to see what we might find. Those benches are about dry so sit on them or a rock.” He had noticed a trickle of water running down on the cave floor where the wind had blown it inside. “Lum, if you will keep an eye on the mules and the women.” Lum nodded his head.

  At that time, Macayla said, “Mother, I’m hungry. I thought this was a picnic.” Not understanding why, Macayla looked bewildered as everyone laughed.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  ON BOARD THE SHIPS in Lord Anthony’s squadron life was a watery hell, with each man filled with fear. Most were wondering if they’d live to see the sun. John Waters, master on HMS SeaHorse, stood in the chart room going over his charts and trying hard to remember past conversations about hurricanes in the Caribbean.

  The lantern swung as the ship rolled and plunged through the angry sea. It was bad but Waters knew the worst was yet to come. Making up his mind, he reported to the captain, and then the two made their way to the admiral’s cabin. Without any niceties, Waters spread his chart on the table.

  “I’ve little to go on, Lord Anthony, other than conversations with locals and a few ship masters. They all agreed the hurricanes that formed in the Indian Ocean tend to pass through the Lesser Antilles, and then turn and approach Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and on toward Bermuda.” Captain Earl and Lord Anthony listened without interruption. The master then continued, “With this in mind, sir, I would recommend we pass to the south of Grand Cayman and head toward the Gulf of Mexico.”

  “Not run up the coast of America?” Earl asked.

  “No sir, on our present course, I fear we will be overtaken…” Both Lord Anthony and Captain Earl understood what the master meant.

  “Very well,” Anthony responded. “Make the necessary changes in our course. Signal the squadron, Captain. You might need to fire a flare for them to see the signals.”

  “That may help,” Earl admitted. But it may not, he thought.

  On deck, the wind howled and made a shrill whistling noise as it passed through the riggings, shrouds, and backstays. The signals midshipman was thunderstruck that the admiral would even try to send signals aloft. However, with the help of a master’s mate, who was on deck, they put the signal together and amazingly it did not get torn loose as it was hoisted. The gunner and one of his mates fired off a flare. After an interval, they fired off a second flare and then a third.

  ***

  ON BOARD LEOPARD, THE watch miserably counted down the minutes until they were relieved. Instead of the usual four hour watch, the captain had the men relieved every hour. Even that short time was a living hell. Rain fell like a deluge and it felt like hail or small shot slammed into the body and face. No one could see more than a few feet and to look straight ahead would render a person almost blind.

  In addition to the wind and the rain, thunder and lightning were both tremendous and incessant. The helmsmen, two at a time, were attached to a lifeline. Any attempt to keep the ship on course was a nightmare, as it plunged into the waves, the ship rising and then slamming down. The deck would cant and footing was difficult.

  Lieutenant Laqua had the watch. He’d seen the flares from the flagship. Trying to see the signal that the flares drew attention to was almost impossible. The flagship, like Leopard, was rising and falling and the ship disappeared at times. With the wind pulling at him so, Lieutenant Laqua took a step up the ratline trying to see the signal better. Wrapping his arm around the shroud and shielding his eyes, Laqua was finally able to read the signal. The watch was to be relieved at any minute. He’d pass on the change in course but also send a midshipman down to notify the captain.

  Shouting into Midshipman Jarvis Jackson’s ear, Laqua told him to advise the captain of the flag’s signal and then he could go below to his mess. The other watch standers were coming on deck as Jackson stepped into the companionway. Water sluiced over the coaming and dripped down the ladder. As he approached the marine sentry, he wiped his eyes and tried to straighten his sodden uniform.

  “Rough on deck, is it, young sir?” the sentry asked.

  “Never seen the like,” Jackson replied. The sentry announced him to the captain.

  “Come in,” Gabe called to the boy. “I believe, Dagan, we have a drowned rat in the cabin.”

  “Aye, looks malnourished as well,” Dagan responded.

  “Lieutenant Laqua’s compliments, sir. A signal from the flag. A change in course, I believe.”

  While Jackson was making his report, Dagan poured two fingers of brandy into a glass. “This will warm your innards, young sir.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Jackson took the glass and gulped it down. He felt the fiery liquid go down and said, “It warms the insides very quickly.”

  “Aye, especially when it’s drunk thusly,” Dagan said, a smile on his face.

  “I will be on deck directly,” Gabe said, as he found his foul weather cloak.

  As Jackson left, he was thinking, a drink of the captain’s brandy. Wait until I get to the mess. I’ll be the envy, he thought.

  “Too young to realize the danger,” Dagan said as the boy left the cabin.

  “He will learn,” Gabe replied.

  On deck, the watch had been relieved except for Lieutenant Laqua. He was not surprised. Lieutenant Daniel Bufford was never early and more often than not, he was late. The surgeon, Mr. Cornish, had hinted that if Laqua called him out, he’d be backed by not only the first lieutenant, but every other officer in the mess.

  Finally appearing on deck, Bufford approached the quarterdeck. His legs
were wobbly. Was it the ship’s motion or drink, Laqua wondered, suddenly very concerned. He could not turn the watch over to Bufford if he was in his cups. It wasn’t safe for the ship.

  “Get below,” Bufford snarled, “I have the watch.” The smell of alcohol was strong on his breath.

  “Sir, I don’t think you are fit to stand the watch. Go below, I will stand it for you,” Laqua said.

  “No, you won’t. I’ll not hear you’ve been ill-treated by another soul,” Bufford replied.

  “Sir, you need to go below,” Laqua said again to Bufford.

  “You go below,” Bufford shouted. “You are relieved.”

  “Mr. Glen,” Laqua called to the new midshipman. “Go below and inform the first lieutenant that I do not feel Lieutenant Bufford is able to stand his watch.”

  As Glen made to leave, Bufford nearly screamed, “Stand as you were, Glen. Go below, Laqua, or I’ll have you brought up on charges.”

  “No sir,” Laqua said. “You are not fit to assume the duty. Mr. Glen, do as you were told. Lieutenant Bufford is ill and not fit to assume the watch.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “No, you don’t, you worthless snot. I’ll throw you over the side,” Bufford yelled at the midshipman.

  Fear in his eyes, the midshipman didn’t know what to do. Lieutenant Bufford was obviously drunk but he was senior to Lieutenant Laqua.

  “Do as you were ordered, Mr. Glen,” a new voice said. Turning, Glen saw the captain. “Have the first lieutenant send for the master-at-arms and then come back on deck. Mr. Bufford, consider yourself relieved of all duties. You are drunk on watch and not fit to run the ship.”

  Within a minute, Lieutenant Vallin was on deck. “Mr. Vallin, Lieutenant Bufford is to be confined to his quarters and he is not to have any wine or strong drink.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  As Vallin reached for Bufford’s arm, he jerked back taking another step backwards and he shouted, “He’s the one not fit to stand the watch. He’s not even fit to be an officer. He shames the ward…” Before he could finish his rant, Leopard plunged over a wave and slammed down into the trough.

  No sooner had it plunged into the trough, the ship rolled to starboard, and then climbed another of the endless succession of angry waves until the bow seemed to be pointing skywards and then over, over until the bow plunged down and the stern up. Again and again the ship would rise up, up, up; and then plunge downward with so much force that a man’s teeth would snap together. It felt like the ship would be torn apart, her keel broken. Again it rose and fell.

  Everyone but Bufford was within grasp of the rail or a lifeline. Falling to the deck, Bufford slid forward when the bow plunged as the sea rushed inboard, swirling and knocking Bufford unconscious as his head bounced on the deck, the cascade of water hurling his body forward until his arm and leg dangled precariously at the entry port.

  Laqua rushed forward, trying to catch the unconscious man before he was washed overboard. Holding on to the lifeline, Laqua fought the wind, rain, and the ship’s movements trying to get to Bufford. He made it to Bufford and stretched to get the limp body but it was too far away. Turning loose the lifeline, he caught hold of Bufford as another huge wave crashed over the bow and slammed into the two men.

  Laqua tugged on Bufford with all his might, trying to keep him from sliding overboard, while trying to reach the lifeline. Another wave and Laqua felt water rush over his body, his head and tearing his grip away. Spitting out saltwater and catching a breath, Laqua was able to grab Bufford’s britches at the waist. With his feet against the rail, he pulled with all his might and gained some, and then more, but he was fully stretched out. He had no more leverage. He was weakened. He felt a slap to his face and shoulder and realized he’d been thrown a rope. Turning his head, he could see the captain and first lieutenant. They were both shouting but it was lost in the wind. He was in a daze. Somehow, he got the rope around Bufford’s body, under his arms.

  Another wave swamped Laqua, slamming his body into the bulwark, tearing Bufford’s body from his grasp again. As the water rushed down the channels he tried to rise, choking, spitting, and trying to catch his breath. Another rope, a loop…someone had thrown him a rope. Somehow in his fog, he slipped the rope over his shoulders and felt himself being pulled across the deck. Hands seized his body and roughly he was pulled along the deck.

  When he woke up, Doctor Cornish was looking down at him. “You’re back with the living, I see.” Laqua tried to smile but it hurt. His whole body ached. “You’ve been battered and bruised most awful,” Cornish said. “You’ve also swallowed enough sea water to float a man o’ war.”

  Rising, Laqua coughed and vomited what seemed like a gallon of foul tasting vomitus. A surgeon’s mate was there with a pan to catch most of it.

  “As I was saying,” Cornish continued, “You will probably do that again. Hopefully, you didn’t get much in your lungs. It could produce a pulmonary contagion. That would prove to be most distressing.”

  “How will I know?” Laqua asked.

  “You’ll know,” Cornish said. “If you have no fevers in the next day or two, you will probably do well.”

  “I actually feel better now after vomiting,” Laqua said.

  “You should,” Cornish replied. “Hopefully, you will continue to improve.”

  “How’s our lieutenant?” Captain Anthony asked as he entered the room.

  “He’s awake and alert. Be careful to stand back though as he’s prone to spew.”

  Gabe smiled and said, “Let her blow, Lieutenant, if that helps. We need you back to your duties.”

  “How is Lieutenant Bufford?” Laqua asked.

  “He’s not as well as you but thanks to you, he’ll probably survive. His kind always do,” Cornish said. Laqua nodded.

  “I want you to know that you did the right thing refusing to turn over the watch to him. It would have endangered the ship and everyone aboard,” Gabe said.

  “I…I hope I’m not an embarrassment to the wardroom,” Laqua said, recalling Bufford’s words.

  “No, I think you are a most welcomed member, Lieutenant, a well-rounded officer and experienced seaman. I think it’s the other way around. Bufford is the embarrassment. Remember, Lieutenant, I recommended you for lieutenant. I sat on your board. You deserve your rank more than some. You can spend time with Doctor Cornish if you like. He will polish up your rough edges, as it were. But when it comes to trusting my ship to anyone, you’d be at the head of the line. You have proved your worth, Lieutenant. Now, get well so you can get back to you duties.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  INSIDE HARRISON CAVE, BUCK admitted to the women that they might be there for a while. They would need to conserve the food as much as possible and try to catch water in the cups Nanny had packed. Back in the cave a few feet, water dripped down from the ceiling. It looked and smelled clean but was it safe? Buck wasn’t sure.

  “I’ve drank worse,” Lum said. Being brave, he then pulled a cup full from a small pool. “It’s good,” he said. “Water ain’t goint to be no problem.”

  The fire added warmth and some light. They continued to burn only the one lantern. Buck and Crowe had walked well back into the cave. The cavern grew larger but was damper. They might have to move the mules back there, but they would stay where they were since it was smaller and would take less firewood to stay warm. The stockpile of wood did not seem so big now, realizing it may have to last for some time.

  “How long do you think?” Faith asked Buck.

  “A day would not surprise me, maybe a day and a half,” Buck admitted.

  “Oh, my God,” Faith suddenly spoke out. “If it’s this bad here, how bad is it for the ships in port and the ones at sea?”

  Buck had whispered his same concerns to Crowe while they were exploring the back of the cave. However, so as not to alarm Faith or Deborah, he explained, “Lord Anthony and Gabe are experienced seamen. They would both turn away from the storm and if they
couldn’t outrun it, they would change their course.”

  “And the ships in port?” Lady Deborah asked quietly.

  “I’ve little doubt Captain Markham hasn’t ordered the ships to sea. Having no protective harbor he would not risk riding out even a small storm, much less something of this magnitude.” Buck’s confidence in Lord Anthony, Gabe, and Markham was comforting to Faith and Ariel.

  Outside, there was no let up. The winds screamed past the cave entrance. The rain fell like Buck had never seen it fall and the sky was black. Occasionally, some object would fly past the cave entrance. The mules, while still nervous, seemed to realize they were better off inside the cave rather than outside so they didn’t paw the ground or stomp their feet like they had done.

  Buck looked at his watch, it was four thirty. They’d been there several hours already. It seemed longer than that. Well, he decided, I’m dry, fairly warm and not really hungry. I just wish I had a comfortable place to sit. Calling to Crowe and Lum, he said, “Let’s see if we can put together a few rocks so we will have a place to sit.”

  “Aye,” Lum replied. “I’m too old to sit on the wet ground.”

  There were very few rocks that could be moved but using some of the firewood and a large rock that Lum and Crowe rolled from the next cavern, they had suitable seating.

  “Not like the chairs Livi’s got at home,” Buck japed, “but better than standing.”

  Talk had just about dried up. Macayla was sleepy and the women were deep in their own thoughts. Lum fished his pipe from his pocket and after the women said they didn’t mind, he took a burning stick and lit his pipe.

  “Smells like Gil’s,” Deborah volunteered.

  “Yes ma’m, I ’spect it do as it was the admiral what gave it to me.”

  The cave grew quiet again, everybody with their own thoughts. Then Macayla broke the silence, “Mother, I need to go.”

  ***

  THE VIOLENT STORM STILL raged at six a.m. the next morning, October 10th. As Buck rose from where he sat on a rock and leaned on the cave wall, he felt pain in his wounded arm. His back and neck were stiff and every muscle in his body seemed to ache. Looking past the fire, he could see both Lum and Crowe were up and looking but not venturing too close to the cave entrance. Stretching, he made his way to the two men.