HMS Seawolf tfa-2

by Michael Aye

  Without hesitating, Gabe cal ed out, "Prepare to go about."

  Dagan appeared at his side, "Mr. Hazard has been hit, sir, hit hard. He may lose his arm if not more."

  "Is he below yet?" Gabe asked.

  "Aye, just after we passed through the line."

  "Very well. Mr. Lavery!"

  "Aye, cap'n"

  "You have the deck. Have the ship put about."

  "Aye, aye cap'n."

  "Dagan, you will take Mr. Hazard's place with the starboard section." Dagan nodded and Gabe went below.

  Caleb already had the arm removed by the time he got there. Seeing Gabe, Caleb shook his head, "He's unconscious and maybe he'll stay that way for a while. I took his left arm off without complications but he has a splinter in his thorax that I can't remove. He needs to be on land to have his chest cut open. Even then there's no guarantee. It might be better if he died now…without suffering."

  Nodding his understanding, Gabe turned to leave then paused, "Keep him comfortable, Caleb. Losing him will be a loss I can ill afford."

  ***

  Back on deck Gabe was surprised at the powder and smoke smudged faces of his crew. They had come about and were now overtaking a couple of the privateers. The one privateer SeaWolf’s gunners had fired on was down in the stern and he could see several boats in the water around the sinking ship.

  Swan had just come about and though she was scarred she seemed to be sailing well as was the Pigeon.

  Earl had been faster and had already come about and now was dead head off the larboard bow.

  "Deck there! The frigate has come about and so has the largest of the schooners, sir. So ’as the brig, sir.

  Now the second schooner ’as come about as well."

  "A final meeting!"

  "Sir?"

  Again Gabe had spoken his thoughts aloud without realizing it. "I said one final meeting, Mr. Lavery. At least I hope we succeed with this round."

  "Aye, cap'n, I hope so as well. Ah…how was Mr. Hazard, sir?"

  "He's alive…the surgeon says it will be touch and go…"

  "Kind of like the fix we're about to be in, isn't it cap'n, touch and go."

  BOOM!…BOOM!…

  "There goes the frigate and Captain Earl again."

  "Right you are, Mr. Lavery, now back to your station."

  "Aye, aye, cap'n."

  "Mr. Blake."

  "I'm sorry, sir," a master's mate replied, "I'm afraid he's done for!

  "Done for? When?" a shocked Gabe inquired.

  "When the frigate let loose, sir."

  "Damme, " Gabe thought, "I didn't even realize it." Then turning to Evans, the master's mate, he ordered,

  "You have control of the wheel. Follow my orders."

  "Aye, sir."

  "I must speak with the bosun and carpenter," Gabe thought, "I fear I may not have time directly."

  ***

  "Mostly its betwixed wind and water, sir, more in the riggings and the upper decks," Dover, the carpenter reported. "No more water in the well than usual." Then Graf reported, "Dagan got a party together and we's got two of the guns back into their carriages so they be back ready for action."

  "Are they stable enough?" Gabe asked.

  "Aye, cap'n, ’jus ’lak a newborn in ’s modder's cradle." There was another swooshing sound overhead as the enemy renewed their assault. "Very well men, let's be about it," Gabe said dismissing the bosun and the carpenter. Glancing over, Gabe saw Lum. He seemed to be taking it al in, and then Gabe realized his breeches were smeared with gunpowder stains, as was his face and hands. Only it wasn't as noticeable due to Lum's black color. He had been involved in fighting the ship and I didn't even notice Gabe thought. Then he wondered what Faith would say if she could see him now.

  As the SeaWolf continued to approach the enemy schooner the lookout cal ed down, "The frigate and the brig be ’tacking Cap'n Earl, sir."

  "Damn," Gabe thought. He looked and Swan had her own troubles. At least, Pigeon was almost up with her and could help. "Evans, prepare to put your helm down when I order. Dagan! I want every gun loaded, with double shot."

  "Aye," Dagan replied.

  "Mr. Lavery, I want your section loaded with bal and canister."

  "Aye, cap'n."

  As the two ships converged, Gabe looked up. The wind was holding…this never predictable and always perverse wind was holding. "Dagan's lady luck," Gabe thought as subconsciously his hand went to the pouch around his neck. The now empty pouch. "Please God…be with her," Gabe prayed silently then turned his attention back to the battle.

  Looking forward, Gabe scratched his jaw and eyed the oncoming schooner. If he timed it right one by one every gun on the larboard side would get a chance to

  "bloody her nose." If he mistimed it the schooner would ram them. Looking aloft the commission pennant's tail stood out like it was pointing the way.

  "Now, Evans, put your helm down now!" It took a moment for the rudder to bit and that moment seemed forever then SeaWolf responded. Now

  instead of passing side by side, they were crossing the bow of the schooner.

  "As you bear Mr. Lavery, fire as you bear. Rake her good."

  Gun after gun gave a bel owing roar. White smoke engulfed the ship and Gabe was temporarily blinded.

  However, the smoke was quickly swept away. It was sickening to see what was left of the once proud schooner.

  "Up helm, up helm, Evans. Dagan, be ready."

  "No need, sir," this from Lavery. As Gabe looked up he saw the reason for Lavery's comment.

  The schooner was on fire, flames were now shooting up her sails. People were diving into the frigid waters. Every captain's nightmare, a fire at sea.

  "Dagan, see if any of the boats are still in tow and set them adrift as we pass."

  "Your not going to heave to?" Evans asked.

  Pointing forward with his sword, Gabe asked,

  "Would you have me leave Captain Earl without assistance while we pick up enemy survivors?"

  "Nay, cap'n, my apologies, my mind was adrift with the sight before me, I'm afraid."

  ***

  "Mr. Druett," Gabe cal ed his gunner.

  "Aye, cap'n."

  "Do you think your aim is good enough to hit yonder brig and not Le Frelon?"

  "Aye, cap'n, when in range I can knock a flea off a cat's arse without singeing ’is ’airs if ’ye'd like for me to."

  "Nothing so precise Mr. Druett, I just want to lay a few rounds about her deck."

  "Aye, cap'n. ’Bout ’er deck it'll be." Any moment now, Gabe was thinking when the forward gun fired. He quickly stood on the bulwark to see if he could tell where the bal landed. He was not quick enough to see the exact spot but he did see shattered planking flying into the air.

  Druett was true to his word, and then the gun fired again. This time there was no need to guess, the jubilant gun crew was jumping up and down cheering, their teeth appearing unusual y white with powder blackened faces.

  "Easy lads, easy now, let's give them another with the cap'n's compliments."

  "Another hit by Gawd," Evans swore! "Damme, if Druett don't know his business, sir."

  "Look sir," someone forward cal ed. Through the smoke Gabe could see the brig's mast was leaning dangerously.

  "Surprised we haven't been fired on." Dagan said as he made his way to Gabe.

  "I'm sure they used al the crew to board Le Frelon. I just hope we're not too late to help Earl. Alter course,

  Evans, bring us along side the brig. Mr. Graf, let's take in another sail."

  Suddenly there was a puff of smoke from the brig and Gabe felt SeaWolf shudder. That had been a hard hit. He was about to cal out to Druett when one of the forward guns fired, followed quickly by the other. The gunner had loaded both guns and after firing one, sighted and fired the second.

  Another cheer from the gun crew let Gabe know they'd hit Druett's target. The ships were close now and Gabe was worried he'd waited to late to take in the sails.


  "Dagan, Mr. Lavery, prepare boarding parties.

  Dagan, you forward, Mr. Lavery."

  "Aye, cap'n, we'll be aft."

  "Mr. Graf, gather the rest of the men and we'll board amidships."

  "Aye, cap'n," the bosun replied as he hurried to round up his party.

  Al too quick they were along side the brig. I should have ordered the sails taken in sooner, Gabe thought. SeaWolf slammed into the brig with such a jar that it shook the deck planks. The two hull s thudded together and then seemed to bounce off each other before SeaWolf grinded to a stop. Graf's men were ready with grapnels and they were already flying through the air.

  "Boarders, boarders away," Gabe cal ed as he gained his balance. The cry was repeated forward and aft as Dagan and Lavery made their way over to the brig. The privateer's crew fired at SeaWolf’s boarders.

  Musket and pistols shots rang out and bal s smacked into the deck as men fel. SeaWolf had left a few marine sharpshooters in the rigging and they were returning fire, cutting down al they could.

  A swivel gun fired defiantly, another of SeaWolf’s marines cutting down a group of would be resistance.

  The boarders pushed forward, bent on reaching Le Frelon and helping their mates. Curses fill ed the air with the clang and rasp of steel upon steel.

  Bel owing his loudest, Gabe directed his men to a group of four men with muskets that had gathered around the stump of the brig's mainmast. One of the sharpshooters sagged as Lum threw a boarding pike like a spear, impaling the man who fel forward his musket clanging on the deck and going off harmlessly. Another jerked convulsively as the bosun not to be out done by Lum had hurled his boarding axe into the skull of his foe. Gabe was now upon his man. Apparently the man had already fired his musket, although Gabe couldn't recall. Maybe it had been a misfire.

  At any rate the man was trying to fiend off Gabe's sword with his musket barrel. Feeling the urgency to reach Earl, Gabe made a feint that the man overreacted to; Gabe stepped inside the man's guard and brought the hilt of his sword down on the man's exposed head, feeling him like an ox. Another man was racing toward Gabe when a shot rang out. Gabe heard a penetrating thump and the man's chest turned crimson as he fel to the deck.

  SeaWolf’s crew was making their way onto Le Frelon and not a moment to soon. Bodies were al over the

  deck, some lifeless, others wounded, bleeding and groaning. A horrible scream broke Gabe's revive.

  There was something unreal about the scream as it rang out above the den of battle then a falling object from above crashed onto the deck with a crunching sound. It was an enemy sharpshooter. He lay in odd angles, twisted in a heap and blood gushing from his ears and nose. One eye socket was empty. Gabe's group was rushing forward; resistance now was only in little pockets. Earl's men had put up a fearsome fight but were in danger of being overrun.

  Gabe saw Lavery and his group engaged with a band of privateers. The constant sound of curses and cries were mingled with the clang of metal on metal as blades flashed in the air then clashed together. The sounds of gunshots some muffled as a pistol was shoved against a foe as the trigger was pull ed. The air was heavy with the smell of gunpowder mixed with the distinct odor of death.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Gabe realized Dagan was being overwhelmed by two men. As he gave ground he slipped and fel. As one of the men lunged at Dagan with his cutlass Gabe shot him with his pistol. At seeing his friend downed the other man turned facing Gabe. The man's face twisted in rage as he rushed at the man who shot his friend. Gabe met the man's rush head-on and his sword clanged with the other's cutlass.

  Then the man spat tobacco juice into Gabe's face.

  Some of it went into his eyes and caused his vision to blur, his eyes stung as if on fire. Gabe's opponent thought he'd won; a smile appeared on his face as he

  raised his cutlass to finish off Gabe. However, the man had forgotten about Dagan who had quickly regained his footing. The man's smile suddenly changed as his arm was severed from Dagan's crashing blow with his cutlass. Then Dagan whirled and drove the cutlass through the man's chest. Gabe had wiped his eyes with his coat sleeve and vision was returning as he gathered his wits.

  "Earl! Stephen Earl!" Gabe cal ed. "Earl!" His calling seemed to attract the attention of a group still fighting. The sight of the British sailors appearing unexpectedly had the privateers throwing down their weapons and raising their hands. Then it was over.

  Dagan walked up to Gabe clapping him on the shoulder. "Any sign of Mr. Earl?"

  "Not yet."

  Seeing Lavery approaching, Gabe cal ed, "Take a party and take possession of the brig."

  "Aye, cap'n. Mr. Graf, lend a hand with your party if you please."

  "Aye, sir. You heard Mr. Lavery lads, lets be quick about it now, move it. Este's, They's dead, them buggers, they ’aint gona bother you none but careful where you step, ’at bloods still wet and slick ’lak."

  "Sir…sir!" It was one of the bosun mates.

  "Yes," Gabe answered.

  "We've found Mr. Earl, sir, he and a group of men are on board the frigate. He's trying to prevent their escape but ’ands are cutting grapnel lines."

  Gabe again felt a sense of urgency, "Lieutenant Baugean!"

  "Aye, sir."

  "Have your marines board the frigate aft if you please."

  "Aye, sir."

  "Mr. Baugean!"

  "Sir."

  "Put a couple of sharpshooters in the brig's riggings and have them mark down anyone not on our side who approaches the frigate's quarterdeck."

  "Aye, cap'n."

  Then Gabe cal ed to Dagan, "See if we can't find a few more grapnels to lash the ships together then meet me on board that frigate." Without waiting for Dagan to answer, Gabe gathered his men about him and boarded the frigate.

  The frigate being a taller ship meant the men had to make their way up to her decks. This meant they were vulnerable to musket fire, exposed as they were. The sudden sound of gunfire fill ed the air and made Gabe pause to look, but none of his boarders appeared to have been hit, then a quick glance behind him told him it was Sergeant Schniedermirer firing onto the frigate.

  Then Gabe's men were on board joining the melee.

  Earl's men were mostly gathered around the mainmast and most of their resistance seemed to be from the direction of the quarterdeck. Set Fire! A

  sudden vol ey of musket fire struck down a number of the privateers.

  "Second rank fire" Lieutenant Baugean had divided his marines into two groups. The second vol ey caused the resistance to realize they were surrounded and then a sailor threw down his cutlass and raised his hands in surrender. Seeing the action of their comrade the rest of the men threw down their weapons as a group.

  "Where's your officer?" a bruised and bleeding Earl demanded. When no one spoked, Earl grabbed the man nearest him and with his pistol levelled it at the man's face and said, "Well?"

  The poor man stood there tongue-tied, to afraid to speak. From within the group a voice, "I think they're al dead, sir."

  "Who are you?" Earl demanded.

  "Lawson, sir, master's mate."

  "They damn well better be," Earl responded with clenched teeth. His arm dropping suddenly, Gabe and Dagan took a step forward to support him.

  "I'm fine," Earl spoke, "son of a bitch showed a white flag, then as we were boarding fired on us with a swivel gun. I'd be dead but Mr. Boyd was in front of me and he took most of the load. Poor man was screaming in agony. He's done for I'm sure." At that moment a hail… Markham was there with Swan and so was Kerry with the ketch. Caleb, who had been sent for, was now coming over to check on Earl.

  As order was being restored the death and destruction

  was overwhelming. Bodies were strewn so you had to step over them to get across the ship.

  "Have you ever seen such a butcher's bill?" Earl asked his friend.

  "Nay," replied Gabe, "But better them than us."

  Epilogue

  Lieutenant Kerr
y was sent in the ketch, Pigeon, to inform Captain Buck on Merlin and Lieutenant Bush on the cutter, Audacity, that the invasion had been repulsed.

  L e Frelon, SeaWolf and Swan headed back to Halifax with the frigate and the brig as prizes.

  Warrior was anchored at the mouth of the harbour and Drakkar was just beyond. Both ships situated so that their guns protected the entry into the harbour from either a northern or southern approach.

  Al eyes were on the approaching ships. Bart had been among the first to spot the approaching ships so he had hurried down to the admiral's quarters. Lord Anthony felt a burden lift from his shoulders as a grinning Bart approached his desk.

  "Well, spit it out man," Lord Anthony said to Bart, who had a smug grin on his face. "Don't just stand there like the cat that ate the canary."

  "Well," Bart said, "Reckon ’ow much money do the admiralty got?"

  "How much money?" Lord Anthony responded not believing his ears or understanding Bart's question,

  "Why I guess they've enough, but why should that matter?"

  "Cause it ’pears Gabe ’know'd what ’e was talking bout. Here they comes and ’hit looks like they done got themselves a big ole frigate and a fat brig as prizes."

  "Damme," Lord Anthony responded as he quickly rose, grabbed his coat and headed topside. Seeing the admiral come on deck Moffett strode over to where he was and offered Lord Anthony his glass.

  "A beautiful sight, is it not, my Lord?"

  "Ah…but that it is, Dutch, that it is. Have the captains repair on board as soon as convenient and send the surgeon and his mates across. I've a feeling they'll be needed."

  "Aye, my Lord."

  Captain Moffett greeted the three captains on deck of the flagship while reports were sent below for the admiral. After his congratulations Bart led them on down to the great cabin. As they entered the cabin the first thing that came to Lord Anthony's mind was ’they look older'.

  "War turns boys into men and men into old men before their time," he thought.

  Anthony then noticed not only the strained looks on his officer's faces but their wounds were showing in the stiffness of their moves. Earl's shoulder seemed to be causing him considerable pain.