by Michael Aye
Then suddenly one last group of privateers seemed to rise up in defiance. Their leader swung a boarding axe that made a swooshing sound as Gabe ducked under its blade. As he ducked he lost his footing and landed heavy on his backside only to be jerked up by Dagan who quipped, "No time for sitting down on the job now."
The man who swung the blade was now on the deck in a big puddle of blood. When Gabe looked further the man appeared to have a third eye. One created by a musket bal courtesy of Swan's marine sharpshooters. Now that the resistance had almost ended, Gabe's group made their way to Markham 's group. Markham turned to greet Gabe when Davy shouted, "Look out sir!" Just in time Markham jumped backwards. His attacker had sliced open his coat with a heavy cutlass. Markham felt an instant burning sensation to his stomach and felt a warm wetness when he touched the area with his hand. Then the man with
his blade held high above his head yelled a curse and lunged at Markham.
Using his own blade to take the brunt of the blow a numbing shock seemed to penetrate his shoulder. As the two blades clashed a sudden fear gripped Markham, and with a bloody hand he removed his knife from his belt. His attacker, a much bigger man, was fill ed with blood lust and seemed to be ignorant that the battle was lost. Once again, raising his cutlass in an arc over his head the man swung his blade with al his might. Had the aim been true it would have kill ed, but again Markham used his blade to deflect the other's cutlass, but this time he only partial y deflected the blade and by giving some and side-stepping, his opponent became off balance and fel forward exposing his flank. As he did so Markham drove his knife blade deep to the hilt, right into the man's kidney. The man fel into a pile then as one, the Swannies broke into cheers. The tired but jubilant men clapped their friends' back and shook each other's hands.
"So we can't do anything but make a gesture," Gabe asked recalling Markham 's words. "Well, damme sir, but I think we just made one hell of a gesture."
"Aye," Markham replied, "But we couldn't have done it without your help."
"Cap'n!"
"Yes, Mr. Davy."
"The brigantine's captain requests to see you, sir, but he's wounded so you'll have to go to him."
"Very well. Where's Mr. Harrel?"
"He's…ah…he's been wounded, sir," Davy replied with a snicker.
"Something about Mr. Harrel being wounded humours you, sir?"
"Aye, cap'n, when he was boarding he slipped and fel on the prong of a grappling hook."
"Is his injury serious, Mr. Davy?"
"I…don't…think so, but it's the first time I ever seen a man grapple his own arse, sir." The crew upon hearing Davy's words howled in laughter.
"Mr. Davy!" Markham scowled at the youth while trying to suppress his own laughter. "You better hope the lieutenant is not laid up too long because you'll be doing his duties."
As Gabe and Dagan turned away, Lum innocently asked, "What's he mean, grapple his arse?" Which set the crew to howling again. Turning, Gabe saw Markham giving him the eye, so he grinned, shrugged and went back to board the Swan.
***
Gabe was at the point of boarding the Swan when he heard a commotion. Turning he saw Davy with his pistol drawn at a man who was apparently trying to make his way below on the privateer. Since Markham was tending the schooner's captain, Gabe decided to investigate.
"What do we have here, Mr. Davy?"
"Frenchman, sir, trying to slip below. He's slowly worked his way from midships to the companion ladder, sir. I thought his actions were suspicious so I watched and stopped him as he was making his move to get below."
Dagan was patting the man down for weapons and found a key in the man's coat pocket. Turning to Gabe he said, "He's no crewman…officer…and more than likely he's the captain." The key on a gold chain swung from Dagan's hand emphasizing the suspicion.
Gabe nodded, "Go below and see if there's a magic box this key may fit."
"Aye," Dagan replied and taking Lum in tow headed down to the captain's cabin.
Gabe then turned his attention to the prisoner,
"You are French?"
"Oui, m'sieu, I am from France."
"What ship is this?"
"She is Le Frelon."
"The Hornet," Gabe replied.
"Oui, the Hornet."
"Well, m'sieu, I think she's stung her last British ship." The Frenchman seemed nonchalant and only shrugged.
"You commanded her?" Gabe asked.
"Oui, I've had the pleasure."
"Do you know you'll hang for this, your act of piracy?" Gabe continued.
"I think not," the man answered, "We are not pirates. We are privateers. I have a letter of Marque from the Marine Committee in Philadelphia."
"What is your name," Gabe asked.
The Frenchman smiled, "Au, we have forgotten the courtesies, have we not? I am Capitaine Francois Robeaud." The man's continued use of the word ’oui and Г u was starting to anger Gabe who thought, "oui hell! " However, formalities required he be civil.
"I am Lieutenant Gabriel Anthony."
"Do you command the ship?" Robeaud asked, indicating the Swan.
"I do not, sir, that privilege belongs to Lieutenant Frances Markham. He is presently with the brigantine's captain."
It then occurred to Gabe that Markham should be present. "Mr. Davy!"
"Aye, sir."
"Would you be so kind as to give my regards to Captain Markham and if convenient could he return to the prize."
"Aye, cap'n…ere sir.'
"Bosun!"
"Sir?"
"As soon as the prisoners are well secured take a party and search this ship." Gabe ordered.
"Aye, sir," the bosun replied then gathering up a party made his way below.
Turning back to the corvette captain, Gabe said,
"Tell your crew to behave and they will be treated fairly, otherwise…"
"I cannot, m'sieu."
"Well, you damn well better," Gabe growled,
"Because I promise you sir, that should they try any mischief or attempt to damage this vessel in any way they will be fired upon without any quarter. The choice is up to you."
"What choice is that?" Gabe turned to see Markham had arrived. He introduced Robeaud to Markham, and then explained his comments.
Markham then faced Robeaud.
"As I recall sir, your men threw down their arms but you never came forth and gave your formal surrender."
"Because I have not," Robeaud replied.
"It is with regret then sir, but I deem your actions less than honorable and place you under arrest. Mr. Davy, see that the prisoner is properly secured on board the Swan."
"I protest," Robeaud cried, "This is absurd."
"Protest al you desire captain, Markham answered,
"But arrested you are."
At that time, Dagan came back on deck. "I think we've found something of interest."
Turning, Gabe saw the obvious bulge in Dagan's pockets and Lum's shirt appeared to protrude. "Damn," Gabe thought. "I hope Markham doesn't become interested in what's in their pockets and shirt." As Gabe and Markham went down to the captain's cabin Lum stood aside and then made his way back to the Swan. Letting Markham go ahead, Gabe whispered to Dagan, "Surely your not turning Lum into a larsonist?"
"Just looking after retirement," Dagan answered,
"Us's retirement."
Dagan had indeed found a magic box in which the key fit. "Damme," Markham exclaimed after reading the first page of a bundle of papers that had been locked in the box. As he started reading the second page, he handed the first to Gabe who was just as astonished as Markham.
"Damme, sir, do you know what this means?"
"Aye," Markham replied. "I think we'd better get underway directly. After seeing these papers perhaps Lord Anthony will not ask if we found anything else of value."
"Damn," Gabe thought eyeing Dagan and then replied, "We didn't, Frances, we didn't." Long after putting the papers back in the box and locki
ng it, the heading of the papers still burned in
Markham 's brain. "Plans for the invasion and occupation of Nova Scotia."
***
It was midday when the lookout cal ed down, "Sail off the larboard bow." Swan, Le Frelon and the merchant brigantine al reduced sail until the sighting had been identified. It was the gun ketch, Pigeon, commanded by Lieutenant Kerry. Pigeon had just rounded Cape Sable on her way to rendezvous with Lord Anthony's squadron at Halifax.
"You gave me a start," Kerry said to Markham.
"It's not often we see a French corvette in these waters.
I was sure you were a group of privateers." After hearing of Le Frelon's capture Kerry was surprised to hear Gabe was acting as commander. "So he's not dead. Half the squadron believes he's alive, while the other half thinks he's dead. Lord Anthony made it plain when he put Lieutenant Earl in command of SeaWolf-it was only temporary-until Gabe returned.
Some thought him daff but he was so positive I figured he knew something the rest of us didn't."
"Aye," Markham replied, "he knew Dagan and if Dagan say's it, you can count on it."
***
It was a joyous greeting that Gabe and Markham found waiting on them as they glided into the harbour of Halifax. Not only were Gabe and Markham
returning, but they were returning with a French corvette as a prize. The Pigeon had made al sail and alerted everyone to their soon arrival.
"The admiral is sure pacing," Lieutenant Herrod remarked to Captain Moffett.
"Aye, that he is," Moffett replied. "He said al along Gabe was alive, but I can't help but believe there was a nagging doubt. I'm glad for him. He sets some store in young Gabe. More like a son than a brother."
"There's Bart, captain, I can just imagine his words,
’know'd ’e were alive; 'I's jus know'd it." Herrod had Bart down pat. His mimicking the admiral's cox'n made Moffett chuckle.
"I-ha! ha!-don't think I'd let Bart hear you, Mr. Herrod-ha! ha!-not if you plan on staying around long enough to make captain.
As the Swan crept closer her battle wounds were obvious. A gaping void in her bulwark had not been replaced, nor were the scars in her mast that still had pieces of iron imbedded in it. The damaged rigging had been replaced and the "new" stood out in contrast to the older, more seasoned rigging. The decks had been washed down well after the battle, the water had poured thick and bloody as it ran down the scuppers. Now it would be hard for a person to full y comprehend the fierceness of the battle.
But some knew and that was why the harbour was lined, not only with Lord Anthony's ships, but also with every type of boat imaginable-al shouting, cheering, huzza…huzza. As Gabe stood on the corvette's
quarterdeck he caught a glimpse of his brother, standing tall and rigid then off came his hat in a bow…a salute.
The reception the returning ships were getting caused Gabe to think of Antigua and how the islanders cheered when time after time Lord Anthony would return with one or more prizes. A sudden chilling wind caused a sail to pop and made Gabe think the cheering was the only thing similar to Antigua as he pull ed his cloak closer. The damn weather certainly was not similar.
Chapter Three
Bart had the admiral's barge crewed and on their way before Gabe had dropped anchor. "Let's do it up proper like," an excited Bart had urged Lord Anthony.
"Make'um feel like they's dig-na-terries being picked up in the admiral's own barge. Then when the fuss is al over…me and Silas will cut out ’is gizzard for scaring the life outta us'ns so."
Bart's sentiment mirrored his own Lord Anthony thought but it was hard to fill ill toward Gabe when he had been trying to do his duty. Turning toward the companionway, Lord Anthony spoke with the flag captain, "I'll be in my quarters, Dutch. You can escort our wayward young officer down after you're finished on deck. He seems to have picked up someone along the way so make him comfortable until I send for him."
"Aye, my lord." Dutch had also noticed the tall black man Gabe seemed to be pointing out things of interest to.
Suddenly a very loud cheer went up accented with musket fire. Lord Anthony paused and turning back to Dutch questioned, "SeaWolf?"
"Aye, my Lord, their captain is back."
"I hope Earl won't take offense."
"Nay, my Lord. He and Gabe are close and from al appearances Gabe and Markham may have brought a ship for him."
Smiling Anthony chided, "You'd promote Earl over your own first lieutenant, Dutch?"
"Nay, my Lord, not I, but you."
With a smile on his lips Lord Anthony made his way to his quarters. Not even the stamp of the marine sentry stirred his ire. "Silas, Silas damn your slow soul I want…"
"It's already done, sir. I's sent for your best wine, we's cutting up some cheese and setting out some bread and opening some preserves. It'll be just right for young Gabe, my Lord, and that's no error."
***
After greeting Gabe and Markham on deck, Captain Moffett had his cox'n take Lum in tow. Dagan and Bart made their own way which was likely to end up in the admiral's pantry, Dutch thought. Then eyeing the bulging canvas dispatch pouch Markham was carrying he led the two down to the great cabin.
"Flag cap'n, suh," The marine sentry barked out then stood aside to let the officers enter, careful not to be obvious, but eyeing Gabe to get a better feel for this man who caused such a stir. The gray streak in Gabe's hair caught the man's eye causing him to take a deep breath.
"Something wrong?" Gabe asked.
"No sir, just a vapor sir," the sentry lied and was glad the officers took no more notice.
Entering the cabin, Gabe had forgotten how large it was. Compared to SeaWolf’s tiny cabin it was enormous. It was furnished as befitted an admiral.
Lady Deborah had seen to that. Around the cabin in a semi-circle were half a dozen leather covered armchairs of emerald green. A mahogany wine cooler was in the corner and a sideboard rack held at least a dozen cut glass decanters fill ed with different shades of liquid.
Another rack held two swords; one had been Admiral Lord James Anthony's. Seeing his brother's gaze, Gil walked up to Gabe and putting an arm around his shoulder said, "It'll be yours one day." The two brothers hugged, then stepping back and clapping Gabe's shoulder Gil whispered, "We'll talk later." Then, switching from the role of concerned brother to that of concerned admiral, Lord Anthony spoke out,
"Well, captain, it's time we got down to business, is it not?"
"Aye, my Lord," Dutch answered, not fooled by his admiral's stiffness. "It appears we can't let the two of them out of our sight without them stealing a ship off some poor soul."
Glancing up as the group took seats in the leather armchairs, Lord Anthony saw Dagan and Bart enter the pantry where Silas waited. "No doubt Dagan's report to Bart as they enjoyed a wet would be more enlightening than what he'd get in writ en reports. Oh well, Bart would fill him in later."
***
Lord Anthony listened closely as Gabe explained in detail about the convoy that had been placed in his charge. He told how resistant the Turtle's captain had been to obeying procedures and orders. Gabe explained why he believed that Turtle's commander had been a traitor and had in fact proven himself to be a traitor when Gabe had caught him red-handed unloading gunpowder for the rebels. "Gunpowder the British Navy and its army needed badly." Lord Anthony didn't fail to notice the changes in Gabe's voice and demeanor as he told of the beautiful girl, who along with her nanny and Lum had rescued him and nursed him back to health, only to be imprisoned by another traitorous son of a bitch. Adam Montique, a traitor to both sides.
"You will recall, sir," Gabe spoke to Admiral Anthony, "Mr. Montique was a very wealthy ship owner and planter in Antigua. It was he that loaned Commodore Gardner his home while he was the dockyard commissioner."
"As you suspected, sir," Gabe again addressed his brother specifically, "Someone was getting word to the pirates…it was Montique. He had several government contracts and with his freque
nt dealings with Commodore Gardner was able to keep the pirates well informed."
"You don't think Gardner was involved do you?" an unbelieving Captain Moffett asked.
"No sir," Gabe replied, "After being clubbed by one of Montique's men I was dragged to a warehouse and chained. Pretending to still be unconscious I listened while Montique bragged about how simple and stupid Gardner was…ah…No offense to the commodore, sir."
"None taken," Admiral Anthony replied. "Please continue."
"Aye, sir," Montique laughed at how trusting Gardner was. He talked Gardner into using his home stating it was better off being lived in; that way it was kept up. He stated his house was usual y empty and at any rate when he was in Antigua he could stay in one of the guest rooms. That way he would still have accommodations when needed and Greta would have a comfortable place to live as long as Gardner was dockyard commissioner. If a contract came open what would it hurt for Montique to know about it? Gardner was persuaded and the rest is history."
"You mentioned earlier this Montique was a traitor to both sides," the Admiral spoke again, "How so?"
"Not only a traitor to both causes," Gabe replied,
"But a white slaver as well." This caused Admiral Anthony and Captain Moffett to sit up.
"Damme sir, but did you say a white slave trader?" Moffett asked.
"Aye," Gabe replied, "He was taking young female captives from vessels the pirates plundered and then sold them to the Dey of Algiers. That is to say the ones Montique and his ruffians didn't use up for their own
pleasure. God only knows what happened to those poor creatures after they were used." Lord Anthony and Moffett looked dumbfounded as Gabe continued. "According to a man named Hindley, who was Montique's plantation overseer, if Faith, ’ere his niece, continued to avoid his advances, he was going to sell her to the Dey. Said a young blonde virgin would fetch a fortune… her weight in gold."