by Michael Aye
Before reaching the larger of the two schooners, Gabe had noted a boat had put out from the smaller ship and apparently her captain had been rowed across.
Both schooners were sleek, nimble well -handled vessels. Their captains knew their business no doubt and Gabe couldn't help but think they'd present a tough pair in a battle. There was no doubt the two would wreak havoc on British shipping and make a nice profit for themselves as privateers.
"Permission to come aboard," Gabe cal ed out as his boat bumped into the hull of the larger ship. As Gabe climbed the ladder he heard a thud and a splash.
Rud had misjudged his step and now his left leg dangled in the cold Atlantic.
"Better have the lady wait on a bosun's chair," was cal ed down from above. Gabe made his way through the entry port onto the deck, and then turned to lend Rud a hand before introducing himself. He had borrowed clothes from Markham, so at least he was presentable this time, he thought, recalling the slaves clothing he'd been wearing when he tried to introduce himself to Montique.
"Lieutenant Gabriel Anthony," Gabe said, introducing himself before allowing the ship's captain to question him. "This is Mr. Rud. He's part of Colonel Francis Marion's South Carolina brigade, and the lady is Miss Erin Lancaster from Boston."
The two captains then introduced themselves. I'm Captain Jack Cunningham and welcome aboard the Norfolk Gold. This is Captain Malachi Mundy and that's his Willing Maid you see there. We are out of the tidewater area."
Gabe noticed he hadn't been specific as to exactly where.
"Now what do we have of such importance that a Navy Lieutenant is willing to surrender, shots unfired."
"Truce sir, not surrender, just a momentary truce that I feel will be most beneficial for both of us, should you allow me but a quarter hour of your time." It was a full hour before Gabe, Captains Cunningham and Mundy, Rud and Erin returned on deck. Gabe had told his story in full then stepped aside as Rud and then Erin had both been questioned. She had brought out something that Gabe had forgotten to
mention. Not only were Cunningham and Mundy from Tidewater but so were the rest of the ladies. Erin had been the only one from a different area. These bits of information seem to make the two privateer captains more determined to lend a hand.
"We'll send this one home," Cunningham said as he put his hand across Rud's shoulder, "And we'll make sure the women are cared for and protected until they can be reunited with their families."
"We'll also put out the word on Montique," Mundy volunteered. "A treacherous soul that one and one to watch if I'm any kind of judge. You be careful, Lieutenant Anthony. That man will soon be ruined, both his reputation and finances. A man like that will hold a grudge and try to hurt you any way possible even if it's with your missy that went to Savannah." This thought gave Gabe a chill.
As Gabe made his way over the side, Captain Mundy spoke again, "I hope the Willing Maid and your SeaWolf never come to blows. You're a honorable man and I like you."
"Aye," Cunningham chimed in, "We'd not like to battle you, but we will if we must."
As the girls were being loaded into the longboats, Gabe talked with Lum. "Rud says you can go with him and Colonel Marion will make you free after the war.
Captain Cunningham also says he has a place for you and you'd be a free man. Your other option is to stay with me. You can either be signed on as a crew
member or you can be my servant, and you'll be paid as a free man."
Lum looked very solemn. "You don't wants to be rid of me do ya suh?"
"No, Lum, you know better."3
"Well, I wouldn't want to be fighting against you if I can help it. I can make do on the rivers, sloughs, and backwaters around Port Royal but I ain't much count when it comes ta'being a deep water sailor, so's I guess I'll just be yah servant. You is going after Missy Faith after the war, ain't ya?"
"I sure am, Lum, I sure am."
"Well, we's best stay together then suh. I'll be yo servant til we see Missy Faith and Nanny again. Now what can I do foh ya as yo' servant dat is?"
"Teach me to play the lotz, Lum. I want to learn to play it."
After his talk with Lum, Gabe went to say his goodbyes to the girls and Rud. Dagan was talking to Kawliga and Jubal so Gabe made his way over to their group to thank them. Just as he was approaching he heard Caleb say to Jubal, "I have a letter here for Kitty.
See that she gets it, will you?"
"I will," Jubal promised, then as a youth will do asked the al important question, "Are you sweet on her, Caleb?"
"Aye, lad, that I am," Caleb answered very sincerely without hesitating.
Well, I'll be damned, Gabe thought as Caleb's actions suddenly made sense.
Chapter Two
The following day was no different than most days at sea. Overnight the wind had backed some but it was still ’a soldier wind.' The schooner's sails were impressive and Markham knew how to handle the Swan.
They were on a heading almost due north. The water along the leeside seemed to be rushing past as evidence of the ship's progress. Seven knots at least Gabe thought. It was almost as if the ship couldn't wait to join the rest of Lord Anthony's squadron.
It was rejuvenating to feel the wind and the motion of the ship as it climbed a wave only to dip its bow into a trough then rear up to meet another wave. The occasional spray that came amidship was refreshing even if it did cause the sunburn on Gabe's face to sting somewhat. After al the frustrations and pain suffered these past few weeks, Gabe couldn't help but question himself. Did he do right by leaving the convoy to go after a single ship? Admiral Gayton had stressed the need for the gunpowder. " Britain is hamstrung by these damnable shortages" had been Gayton's words. But would they hold up in a court martial? At least he could say he kept it from the Colonials. But what about Gil? What would his reaction be, Gabe wondered? Would he have acted as he had done? Or would Gil have stayed with the convoy? Gabe knew Gil had stretched matters by putting Markham aboard the Swan and sending her on
dispatch without ever sending her through the prize courts.
He would be given some discretion as an admiral, but if the truth of the real mission to rescue Gabe was ever publicized then like his father Gil may have to haul down his flag and retire. The thought sent an involuntary shudder through Gabe.
"You cold?"
Gabe had not been aware of Caleb and Dagan as they walked up on him. He now sat in their shadow.
"You cold?" Caleb repeated.
"Could be the smell of the gal ey," Dagan spoke without giving Gabe a chance to respond to Caleb.
Continuing, Dagan said, "Smell s like greasy slush. Just what we need to put some meat back on those bones, boiled beef hacked into a mixture of soggy ship's biscuits with a little slush on top. That'll put the weight back on you."
"Or kill him one," Caleb chimed in as he set on the bulwark.
Dagan squatted between them, and took out his pipe, and fill ed his bowl, speaking softly, "It's a hard time we have ahead of us but I've a feeling you two will find what you're looking for."
Neither Caleb nor Gabe spoke as Dagan put his back to the wind, and with cupped hands soon had his pipe lit, sending an aromatic smell down the length of the ship which al but overcame the odor from the gal ey funnel.
Another shadow appeared, causing the group to look up. It was Lum. He squatted next to Dagan and lit his own pipe. Not a meerschaum like Dagan's but a simple corn cob pipe with a straight stem. As the four sat together, Swan made her way up the coast in a ghostly silent manner.
Looking to larboard, Lum said what they were al feeling. "They's watching us, they knows we heah!
Trouble is we don't know what they's about." Then Lum took his lotz from inside his shirt and after licking his lips played another of his sad melodies.
Looking at the black man whose black hair gleamed from ocean spray and specks of gray, Gabe thought, damned if he doesn't have the uncanny knack of playing a tune to fit my mood.
Later that n
ight as the sky darkened, the men off watch slung their hammocks and everybody seemed to be in his own world. Gabe lay down in his cot in the captain's cabin. Markham had been very gracious, sharing his cabin with him. Lying there, the familiarity of the ship seemed to ease his troubled mind. While he wasn't back on the SeaWolf, he was at sea in an environment in which he knew and was comfortable in.
This was the salve his soul needed.
***
The dawn broke with the promise of a much different day. Davy, bright and cheerful, as ever sidled up to Gabe, "Master says we'll get wet today."
"Well, I'd never question the master," Gabe replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Years of service at sea made him an early riser…but he'd never be a good riser.
Seeing Gabe on deck, Markham walked over to his friend. "Get the cob webs cleared yet?" Gabe's answer was a yawn.
"Nantucket is off to larboard," Markham explained,
"I want to stay well out so we want have to play errand boy to some self important captain or another admiral.
If al goes well, we should meet up with Lord Anthony tomorrow."
Towards noon the master's prediction came true. A heavy drizzle started and the sky turned gray matching the sea which was getting up. Markham crossed the deck and the man at the wheel volunteered, "She be steady, sir," nor'by-east, full and bye." Markham nodded and seemed to be on edge.
" Massachusetts is home to some of the most able privateers. We can't let our guard down this close to home. While you were…ere…in the southern colonies Gabe, a dispatch schooner was headed to New York and was taken by the brigantine, Trannicide, fourteen guns. Her Captain Fisk is without a doubt a capable man."
"Deck there! Sail, no two sails dead ahead off the starboard bow."
Gabe and Markham both gave a knowing look to each other. "Mr. Davy!"
"On my way captain." Davy didn't wait to be told.
Upon hearing the sighting he'd grabbed a glass and was making his way towards the shrouds before Markham could cal out.
Looking at Gabe, Markham said, "Cheeky little bugger. Thinks he has me figgered out does he?"
"Aye, that he does," Gabe replied noticing Dagan headed toward him with Lum in tow.
"It's a brigantine grappled to another ship, sir, maybe a corvette."
Dagan and Gabe looked at one another, could it be the same ship they'd met off the South Carolina border?
"Are you sure, Mr. Davy?"
"Aye, sir, I'm sure and it's a fight they're having, I'm thinking. You can see muzzle flashes."
"Very well," Markham replied, then turning to Lieutenant Harrel, "Beat to quarters if you will, sir. It appears we've work to do today."
Harrel stood by the wheel while Gabe and Markham discussed the strange sail. Would the corvette, if that was what she truly was, recognize Swan?
Would her captain know she had been taken? These were al questions that passed between Gabe and Markham; questions but no answers. However, in these waters you could choose a dozen possibilities and al spelled trouble.
"Deck there! She's definitely a corvette, sir." Well, if Davy was that sure then they had a fight on their hands.
"She'll have twenty guns at least," Markham replied.
"Aye," Gabe answered, "But if we've seen them then likely the schooner she attacked has spotted us as well so maybe that will put the odds in our favor."
"We'll know soon enough I imagine," Markham answered and then turned his voice to the lookout,
"Keep watching her, Davy."
Gabe waited for the deck to steady as Swan's bow dipped through a swell and then he trained his glass on the two ships. They were close enough now.
Individuals could be made out. With only a small crew, Swan would be hard put to give a good accounting for herself.
With Gabe, Dagan, Lum and Caleb the total number on board was only seventy-six. She needed ninety to properly fight. Gabe was sure the privateer had double their number on board. Hopeful y, the schooner would have enough survivors left to lessen the odds.
"You going to close and fight her, sir?" said Lieutenant Harrel.
Markham 's reply was short and terse, "Would you have me turn our heels and abandon yonder ship sir?" Experience, Gabe thought. The man lacked experience. It had never occurred to Markham to do anything but fight.
It was his duty. The gunner approached Markham, knuckled his forehead and announced, "Cleared for action sir, al guns loaded."
Swan carried fourteen six-pounders and half a dozen swivels. The Swan was now on a converging tack, bowsprit to bowsprit, like two knights engaging in a joust. Dagan was on deck now bringing with him Gabe's sword and pistols. So near the admiral's squadron, yet so far away. Lum was with Dagan, seeing him Gabe felt a pang of sorrow for this man involved in a war where regardless of who won his station in life would differ but little.
"Lum."
"Yes, suh."
"You do not have to fight this battle. You can go below until it's over."
"You's going to fight ain't ya, Mister Gabe?"
"Aye, Lum, that I am, but it's my duty."
"Well suh, it's my duty to watch over you like I done promised Missy Faith I'd do. So we's both got our duties to do."
Gabe knew it would be pointless to try to dissuade the man farther. He instead turned to Dagan, "Help Lum pick out a good weapon."
"Aye," Dagan replied. Then as the two walked off Gabe had another thought.
"Lum."
"Yes, suh?"
"We aren't fighting masters, plantation overseers or white men, we're fighting the enemy, do you understand that? A man's color doesn't matter."
"Yes suh, I understand, it's kill or be kilt." After Lum and Dagan went to collect weapons for themselves, Gabe approached Markham. " Frances, what would you have me do? I'm at your disposal." Despairingly Markham shook his head, "It's a fool's errand Gabe. How can we do anything but make a gesture. However, we've been in worse shapes haven't we, old friend?"
"That we have," Gabe replied.
"I'm about to fire the forward guns then have the rest of the guns fire as we come abreast. The swivels are loaded with grape. I figure our only chance is to grapple and board. we'll never stand a chance against twenty twelve-pounders. I was going to send Harrel forward and I was going to position my party amidships.
If you're bound to get yourself shot at you can take a party aft. Hopeful y, we'll meet in the middle."
"We'll meet," Gabe responded and shook Markham 's hand, "Take care my friend, have a care."
***
"Take in the mainsail Mr. Harrel. Run up the colors Mr. Davy. Fire as you bear. Let's give them a taste of British steel."
Markham was right. The privateer was heavily armed and there was a score of men on deck. The forward gun went off and someone fired a swivel at the same time, a double percussion… BOOM! BANG!…startled Gabe.
Then one by one, Swan's remaining six guns fired.
However, the enemies' guns were not silent and with a thunderous crash a hole was blasted through forward, uplifting the number one gun which landed on its side crushing several crewmen. A gaping hole was now where a gun port had been. Shot after shot plowed into the Swan. Most however went high as consideration had not been taken to fact that Swan being a smaller ship set lower in the water. The starboard bulwark had taken a beating with only a few sections left standing.
The mainmast had a gash in it that sent splinters flying and blinding one of the bosun mates. Riggings were taken a beating but so far everything that was supposed to be aloft was still aloft.
He could now hear the shouts and curses as men fought. The schooner's people gave a cheer as Swan's hull dug into the privateer's hull and come to a grinding halt. Grapnels were heaved and while some were being made tight, others were used by men to swing over and climb up the bigger ship.
Gabe, Dagan, Lum and a group al boarded onto the bow of the corvette. A group of cursing men was there waiting on them and with screams and threats the two gro
ups collided. Lum met his attacker first and a wicked blow from a boarding axe caused a handspike to clatter on deck as the man holding it found his hand was
now only holding on to his arm by a small piece of flesh.
Screaming, he broke and ran.
Gabe found himself fending off a rogue who knew how to handle a cutlass, however he was to aggressive and fel for a feint Gabe made which opened his guard and Gabe's sword plunged into the man's armpit causing blood to spurt. Startled shouts and musket shots seemed to be coming from every direction.
Gabe suddenly became angry, wildly angry. Al the vented frustrations seem to let loose at once. A man with a bayoneted musket tried to fire only to realize he'd not reloaded after firing the last shot so he lunged at Gabe with the bayonet that Gabe deftly deflected then shot the man with his pistol. He then ducked as a man slashed at him with a blade only to fall to Lum's axe.
"This way men, this way ` Swannies`," that was Markham rallying the men. Another loud sound from amidships, a swivel had been fired. Looking across the privateer's deck, Gabe realized what looked like a pile of rubbish was actual y dead bodies.
Another privateer brandishing a boarding pike and pistol attacked Dagan. However, slipping in blood Dagan fel causing his own weapon to go off taking the top of the man's skull off. Above the den of clashing steel, musket and pistol shots, screams and curses Gabe could hear the sudden cheers of men. Theirs or ours, he wondered.
"To midships," he cal ed to his group, "Make your way to midships." Continuing to fight, the battle seemed less furious. Davy stood over a man rolling on
the deck; his dirk was sticking from the man's chest.
Blood ran down Davy's hand. As the man tried to raise and fire his pistol Dagan raised a boarding pike and crashed it down across the man's skull.
"Dat one was already dahyd and ’jus didn't know it," Lum declared.
Struggling over upended guns Gabe realized Swan's guns did more than he had first thought. The fighting had al but ended, as Gabe's group made their way past sprawled bodies and wounded men crawling, begging for help.