HMS Seawolf

by Michael Aye

  “Nay, my Lord. He and Gabe are close and from all 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 filled 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 written 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 frequent 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 usually 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.”

  “His niece, incestuous bastard is he not?” Moffett exclaimed.

  “Aye, sir. It was this Hindley who became so besotted with Faith’s beauty he risked sure death by Montique when he attempted to rape the girl. It was then Lum killed the man that made it necessary for me to bring him with me, for his protection. It was then Dagan showed up with his group and we escaped, taking the other captive girls with us. It’s in the report, sir,” Gabe said as he ended his story.

  “Enlightened me if you will sir,” Captain Moffett spoke again. “You’ve explained how Montique was an informer to the pirates and a slaver but how has he been a traitor to the Colonials?”

  “Well, sir,” Gabe began again, “ the Admiral can tell you that the pirates attacked all ships of means; it didn’t matter if it was British, Colonial or what nation. It was a rich cargo he was after…whose made no difference. Even Commodore Gardner remarked on how a lot of those taken could have paid a large ransom. Well, Montique had the pirates kill the men, take pleasure in the…ah, older women, but the young girls and the younger the better, he sold into the Dey’s harems. The goods from those ships he sold to the highest bidder, and then often had the ship waylaid carrying the cargo he’d just sold. Then he’d sale it again. His warehouse was full of contraband. There was enough in one warehouse to keep an entire Army going through a whole winter.”

  “I see,” Moffett said.

  After a brief pause, while Silas recharged everyone’s wine glass, the report continued. This time both Gabe and Markham explained how the privateer had engaged the merchant vessel and how when they arrived the privateer was taken.

  “Here’s a list of cargo I thought would interest you, my Lord,” Markham said as he proudly handed Lord Anthony an inventory list.

  Taking a moment to go over the list the admiral raised his eyebrows. Then addressing the flag captain, he spoke. “Damme, Dutch, would you listen to this? After a one and a quarter hour engagement the privateer, Le Frelon…what’s that…the wasp?

  “Hornet, sir,” Markham corrected his senior, “Le Frelon means the Hornet.”

  “Yes well,” the Admiral continued, “Upon boarding her we found in cargo eight carriage guns, twelve swivel guns, twenty small arms, sixteen pistols, twent
y cutlasses, some twenty cases of cartridges, boxes and belts for bayonets, nineteen barrels of powder and nine half-barrels of powder. In addition, there were bales of blankets, crates of boots in assorted sizes, twelve kegs of rum, seven casks of naval wine, and a miscellany of shot and ball. We also captured a Colonial captain, a sergeant and about twenty privates. Among the Army stores, we further found six three-pound cannons but no shot or ball. The captured vessel is a French built twenty-gun corvette in good repair. Her commander is a prisoner. We lost ten men killed, seven wounded, one of which is in a bad way.”

  “It is also my privilege,” Markham spoke after the Admiral had finished reading the inventory, “ to present this set of papers.” Then handing an official document on parchment paper to Lord Anthony, Markham sat back and watched for the expression on the admiral’s face to appear.

  “My God, sirs,” an excited and surprised Lord Anthony exclaimed, “do you know what you have here…if…if mind you this document is real. Your discovery may have saved Nova Scotia.”

  Looking somewhat awed by his Lordship’s words, Captain Moffett inquired as he reached out, “May I, sir?”

  “Oh, forgive me, Dutch. Look at this.”

  As Moffett read the heading of the document his jaw dropped, “The Plans for the Invasion and Occupation of Nova Scotia to be undertaken by a Consortium of Free Enterprise Ships and Vessels.” As Moffett read on he looked up, “Did you see the date, my Lord?”

  “Aye, Dutch that I did.”

  “That doesn’t give us much time to prepare a defense, sir.”

  “No, it doesn’t. Are our patrol ships back in port, Dutch?”

  “Aye, sir, all but Merlin and she was due today.”

  “Make a signal for all captains to repair on board at 0800 on the morrow.”

  “Aye, sir, and sir have you decided about Mr. Earl?”

  “Yes, send for him immediately while I have my clerk draw up the orders.” Then Lord Anthony stood. The formal interview was over. “We have a lot of preparation, gentlemen.” Looking at Gabe and Markham he said, “Your find was a Godsend. Have the privateer sent over to the flagship for further questioning.”

  “Do you think, sir,” Markham asked, “ that since we captured Le Frelon, they’ll call it off?”

  “I doubt it,” Lord Anthony responded. “I doubt they know we’ve taken the ship yet and when they find out they will most likely figure the captain’s papers were thrown overboard.”

  As the group made to leave, Lord Anthony put aside his admiral’s demeanor as he spoke, “Gabe, would you do me the honor of dining with me tonight? Silas will have something to soothe the palate or I’ll have him keel-hauled.”

  “Aye, sir, I would take pleasure in it.”

  “Good, now if you will give Earl time to gather his chest and report to me before you go aboard SeaWolf.”

  “Aye, sir, I’d not want to do anything to displeasure Mr. Earl. We’ve been friends to long.”

  Smiling Lord Anthony said, “And I imagine that friendship will continue for sometime since you’re the one who helped capture the ship which will be his.”

  Gabe almost forgot himself, “Really Gil…’ere sir, that’s great. I’ll spend some time with Bart and introduce him to Lum if Dagan’s not already done so.”

  “Very well,” Lord Anthony explained, “I’d like to meet this Lum fellow soon myself.”

  As soon as Gabe had left, Lord Anthony called to Dagan…”You still in the pantry?”

  “Aye, sir, I’m still here.”

  “Good, let me draft Earl’s orders then we’ll sit down and have a glass.”

  “Aye, my Lord, I do think I’ve something that will surprise you.”

  Looking at Dagan for a moment Lord Anthony replied, “I doubt it…I heard his voice when he mentioned her name.”

  ***

  Boarding SeaWolf again was exhilarating even if it did hold some foolish apprehensions. Apprehensions such as how had things gone since he’d been absent: had Earl changed any of his standing orders or protocols? How was discipline and morale? Had the bosun sewed any red baize bags in his absence? Gabe couldn’t recall SeaWolf’s last flogging. Earl had spent time under Lord Anthony long enough to know his Lordship believed in flogging only as a last resort.

  “You ruin more good men than you know,” he’d always say when he gathered his officers just prior to a commission. Why so many use it as intimidation was more than he could fathom.

  Bart had used the admiral’s barge again to row Gabe over to SeaWolf. That Hazard had been forewarned was obvious, probably by Earl, who had been summoned to the flagship. The entire crew had turned out in their best.

  “Boat ahoy! SeaWolf!” The challenge and the reply, a bosun’s pipe shrilled loudly filling the air as did cheers, then a firm “silence on deck.” Gabe recognized the voice of Nathan Lavery.

  As Gabe grabbed hold of the manropes and stepped out of the barge onto the batten a small swell leapt up between the two hulls and soaked his boat. Damme, thought Gabe, what a way to board my own ship, leaving a wet footprint across the deck.

  As Gabe climbed through the entry port the cheers started again. Huzza, Huzza…Huzza for the cap’n. Hazard, the first lieutenant, Blake, the master; the second lieutenant, Lavery, the bosun, Carpenter; gunner and even the purser were all turned out. Marine Lieutenant Baugean had the marines turned out as bright and shiny as if they were on parade. A grinning Sergeant Schniedermirer looked like he had two mouths. His grinning smile was upturned but age old chew’bacy stains left a permanent downward appearance. Taking a step forward, Gabe took off his hat and gave a slight bow to the crew which set the men to howling all over again.

  “ Flattery men, flattery, do you scallywags think such a welcome will get you any favors? Well, I’m sure none of you deserve it, but today…up spirits…for tomorrow there’s work to be done.”

  The cheers broke out again and was almost deafening. Gabe had to almost shout to make himself heard, “Give me a few minutes, Mr. Hazard, then I’d be pleased if you, the master, and Mr. Lavery would report to my cabin.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  “ Damme,” thought Gabe, “That sounded good, to once again be addressed as captain.”

  ***

  Gabe entered his cabin and felt a peace within him. Compared to his brother’s great cabin it would be insignificant to many, but it was his private space. He recalled the first day he’d entered it. The deck above had been raised to give head-room. A hatch with a sliding cover had been fixed to give extra daylight when the weather was permissive. His cabin was divided into three sections. To larboard, a section was set aside by a mahogany divider; his bed was a chest of four drawers not unlike a square box with a rim around the top to hold a feather mattress in place. His bed was suspended from the overhead by four one-inch ropes. This allowed the cot to swing as the ship rolled when in a heavy sea.

  To the starboard side was his desk and chair. The starboard side was also divided off but the dividers were not near as elaborate as those on the flagship. Above the desk, sideboards had been built. Without realizing it, Gabe ran his hands over the desk feeling the smooth well-oiled wood. The dark metal fasteners look aged and worn. There on the desk were the captain’s standing orders. He’d spent hours preparing it only to throw half of it away after a conversation with his brother, who not only advised, but gave him two copies of his orders book. His first and a second much smaller one.

  “The first was from my first command. The second was for Drakkar,” Lord Anthony had explained. “Some captains make the mistake of putting too much in the orders and are forever being summoned. Others don’t put enough and the consequence is the same because the men aren’t sure what to do. Read these and adjust the orders to fit your ship and your needs. A half dozen absolute do’s and don’ts are a good starting point.”

  “No doubt father had given Gil the same advice,” Gabe thought.

  ***

  “A glass for you sir.”

 
; Gabe turned and Dawkins was standing by the divider. “Aye,” Gabe replied, “And get yourself a glass. We have some things to talk over, you and I.”

  “I thought we might,” the old seaman replied. He’d already seen the black man under Dagan’s tow. Dawkins got his glass and set in the armchair beside Gabe’s desk. He listened as Gabe explained his commitment to Lum.

  “What I thought we’d do,” Gabe said, “is this. Lum was at one time a house servant. He’s still in good health but like someone else I know probably not fit for daily shipboard work.”

  “Aye, sir,” Dawkins replied, “He’s like me in that respect and I ain’t ‘shamed to say it. ‘E’s done seen the day he could splice and reef in all manner of seas.”

  “Right,” Gabe answered, “Now what I envisioned is this. You will teach Lum your job, and then since you’re an educated man, you will become my secretary.”

  “Aye, sir, I reckon it’s time I used me learning so’s it won’t go to waste.”

  “Good,” Gabe said, “It’s settled.” He had been concerned that Dawkins being a territorial old salt might not be as agreeable as he had. However, captain’s secretary was somewhat more of a status symbol than captain’s servant so to Dawkins’ way of thinking, he’d just got a promotion.

  ***

  Thinking of the arrangement made Gabe think of Faith. Where was she? Did she go to Savannah as she said she would? Was she safe? Did she love him as he loved her? Did she really think of him as the enemy? He clutched the empty bag. Did she have the ruby? Was it next to her heart as she said it would be? The heart that had beat against his heart. The feel of her breast on his chest as they embraced. The feel of her breath against his face. The smell of her fresh washed body. Her hair in his hand as his arms went around her. That kiss, those burning lips that caused flames of desire to rage through his body. “My God,” Gabe thought, “ she has seized my very soul.”

  Little did Gabe know some seventeen hundred miles south, a blonde-haired girl sat in the porch swing of a three-story mansion looking out at the giant oak trees filled with low hanging moss. A gentle breeze blew and a slight chill was in the air. Inside, with all the candles lit it was to warm, outside it was a bit cool but the cool air cut down on swarming mosquitoes.