The Seahorse

by Michael Aye

  “My pleasure, sir,” Houghton said. He then looked at his watch. “I will see to my wife and thank you for the invitation.”

  ***

  Nesbit rushed around making sure everything was as it should be. This was the first time the captain had entertained since he’d taken over the duties of captain’s servant, or as he liked to say, captain’s steward. Nesbit had recruited the “cleaner” of the ship’s cooks to assist him tonight. Since the sea was calm, he’d set out candles and instead of the usual sea service he’d set out the captain’s best china and crystal.

  They had all sat down at the table and a glass of claret had been poured. Some of the young ladies appeared giggly over being served the beverage. Most immature, Nesbit thought.

  A bowl of potato soup was then served after the drink had been poured. Nesbit made his way back towards the pantry when a crash was heard. He quickly rushed inside the pantry where he let go a string of profanities. They filled the air along with the sound of pots and pans hitting the deck in addition to a series of growls and barking. Gabe jumped up and made it to the door in time to see Samson win a tug of war over the roast mutton with Nesbit.

  Sitting on the deck, Nesbit looked up at Gabe and said, “The main course has just been changed from roast mutton to boiled beef.” He then gave a sigh and continued, “Samson, it appears, is a most disagreeable dining partner. It does seem, however, that his wounds no longer inhibit his appetite.”

  ***

  It was just after dawn that the island of Antigua broke the horizon. The air was already humid and Gunnells, the master, promised it would be much worse by midday. Soon word would spread the length and breath of the island that two warships were in the offering. Gabe had made his pre-dawn visit to the quarterdeck but now decided to go back down and have a cup of coffee.

  His cabin had been turned over to the Houghton family and the four other girls so he’d have to walk quietly in order not to awaken everyone. He’d not slept well last evening partly because he was not in his quarters and partly because Faith had been on his mind. He’d find a reason to spend at least one night in port.

  Sir Victor was on deck when Gabe returned. He walked over to him and held out his hand. “Captain, I want to thank you for being such a splendid host. I was very impressed on how you handled yourself against the privateer. It will go in my report.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Gabe managed. He was at a loss for words with the sudden politeness from the foreign office agent.

  “Tell Lord Anthony he may be hearing from me soon.”

  “I will, sir,” Gabe answered, not sure if this would be considered good or bad news for the squadron.

  “No flagship,” Lavery reported seeing Gabe back on deck.

  That means the commodore at the dockyard will be the senior officer present, Gabe thought. This means if I don’t bother him he’ll likely not bother me.

  “Paco!”

  “Aye Captain.”

  “Have my gig ready so that I may go ashore once we drop anchor. You may ask Sir Victor if he would care to be rowed ashore with us.”

  “Aye, Cap’n.”

  “Mr Lavery!”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  “Make sure the young ladies are properly delivered to their families. As I’m going ashore I’m afraid you will have to remain aboard. However, I believe Lieutenant Davy and Mr Ally would not mind the inconvenience of acting as escorts until the ladies are reunited with their families.”

  As Dagan prepared to go ashore, Gabe noticed he had Samson in tow. Seeing Gabe’s look Dagan explained, “Ship is no place for this beast. He’ll be more at home with the women.”

  Nodding his agreement, Gabe added, “Nesbit will be relieved.”

  This caused Dagan to chuckle.

  ***

  Lady Deborah’s cottage had a deep wraparound porch that provided a relief from the blazing sun. A new room was being added on the left side. This surprised Gabe. If more room was needed why didn’t she just move into her main house?

  “I’ll tell you why,” Dagan said. “You can see the harbour from here, plus this was her and Gil’s love nest.”

  Feeling dense, Gabe acknowledged Dagan’s wisdom. Faith was on the porch with Lady Deborah, who watched as Macayla rolled over in a small playpen Lum had made. Seeing the approaching men, Faith rushed out to her man. After a passionate greeting, Faith gave Dagan a hug while Gabe did the same with Deborah. Watching Faith hug Dagan, Gabe could see a difference in her. The color was back in her face and it had a glow, so to speak. Maybe the island is good for her. Has she put on weight? he wondered. She didn’t seem to be as skinny as when he left for Barbados.

  Hearing the door creak Gabe turned to see Lum grinning from ear to ear. “Lawd Gawd Almighty,” he said. “The captain done come home. Nanny…Nanny!”

  “Hush you old goat. You wake dat baby and it won’t mattah none whose heah, her Ladyship’s gonna wallop you a goodun.”

  Hearing a yelp, Faith asked, “What’s that?”

  Paco was still in the saddle holding Samson. Dagan took him from Paco and set him on the ground. Faith leaned over to pet the dog and received a sloppy kiss from a big wet tongue.

  “Kisses better than some I know,” Faith declared, causing everyone to laugh.

  “Why he’s so ugly he’s pretty,” Deborah said.

  “He’s not ugly, he’s a handsome fellow,” Faith said. Then she asked, “Where did you find this brute?”

  “We’ll discuss that later,” Gabe said.

  As Faith turned and went back on the porch, Samson followed. When she sat down in one of the rocking chairs Samson nudged her hand with his flat nose until she started scratching his head.

  “He’s such a loving dog,” Faith said.

  Paco sitting close by said, “If you say so, Miss, but I’m not sure Nesbit would agree.”

  This prompted the question, “Who is Nesbit?”

  So Gabe told the story about the roast mutton, causing everyone to laugh…except Macayla, who slept the peaceful sleep of a child.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Bart made his way into the admiral’s cabin and announced, “Peregrine and Lizard are entering the bay.”

  “Good,” Anthony replied. “Have Buck signal for captain to repair on board. Better still I’ll come on deck.

  “Everette,” Anthony said, still speaking to the flag lieutenant, “put these papers away for now. The damn ink bottle won’t dry up before we return.”

  “Aye, My Lord.”

  Some things never change, Everette thought. His Lordship could ignore a gale overhead but let Gabe’s ship be sighted and he’d rush on deck. I wish I had someone who cared, the lieutenant thought…then realized he did. Otherwise he’d be on the beach and not serving as flag lieutenant.

  “They’re a pretty sight,” Buck said speaking of the two frigates.

  “They sure are, Captain,” Lieutenant Lamb replied, envy in his voice. “It’s what any officer would want, a fast frigate.”

  “On independent duty,” Anthony said, joining the conversation. “No frigate captain I know wants to be tied to the Admiral’s coattails.”

  “So you recall those days of freedom as well, My Lord,” Buck replied.

  “As you do, Captain,” Anthony answered. “We’ve shared enough of them.”

  I wish I could have been part of it, Lamb thought as he moved away to give the captain and admiral privacy.

  ***

  Silas had poured hock for the group gathered in the stateroom. Gabe and Culzean made their reports, each acknowledging the other’s actions.

  “Did Sir Victor say what if anything he learned in St. Lucia?”

  “No, sir,” Gabe replied. “I got the feeling he didn’t learn anything valuable as he was not ashore more than an hour before we sailed for Antigua. Once there he left the ship and thanked us for our assistance.”

  “Well, saving the Houghtons and the other girls means the battle with the privateer was not a total loss.” />
  “Aye,” Buck said. “I know it was a hard choice for you to make, Gabe, but I for one feel you made the right one. The rogue is a heartless one and he’d have hung the lot of them.”

  “I agree,” Anthony added. “You made the right choice. Well, that’s all gentlemen, unless you have more to add.”

  “I…ah…have one more thing, sir,” Gabe said, his mind suddenly on his last night in Antigua lying next to Faith, feeling her warm body next to his.

  “Bart, I know you are in the pantry sampling the hock, so you and Silas come on out here and bring the hock along with your glasses.”

  Anthony and Buck looked quizzically at Dagan, who just shrugged. Gabe filled each of the glasses with hock then said, “I wanted all of you here for this announcement.”

  He then looked at Anthony and said, “You’re going to be an uncle, sir.”

  “I…I’m to be an uncle. That means you will be a father, you old scalawag. That is news.”

  Buck clapped Gabe a good one on the back and shook his hand. “I didn’t know you had it in you, boy.”

  After a good hour the little gathering broke up. Cigars were put out and empty bottles disposed of. Culzean and Gabe made it back to their ships.

  “That was some surprise,” Bart said to Silas.

  “Aye,” Silas replied. “It’s going to be more a surprise when ‘’is Lordship finds out all ’is ’ock be gone.”

  ***

  The gentleman pushed open the door of the Bull’s Head Tavern. Without a word he took a table behind a noisy group of naval officers. Looking toward the bar he could see more Navy officers interspersed with the scarlet uniforms of the army stationed in Barbados.

  The room was busy, as he knew it would be. The aroma of coffee mingled with the odour of rum. A cook fire sizzled as a whole pig was being turned over on a spit. The stranger’s blue coat, white shirt, and waistcoat along with his tanned face gave anyone looking the appearance of a merchant sea captain. This was as the stranger wanted.

  The fact was he’d been rowed ashore. He then waited for the MaryAnn, a small merchantman, to enter the harbour before he showed himself. Not only his appearance but also the timing had to be right as well. The man ordered his meal. After that he watched as a group of officers started to play cards.

  Several onlookers gathered round the table so he joined the group. It wasn’t long before one of the officers had lost all his money then bowed out. Seizing the opportunity the stranger asked if he might join and was readily allowed. Playing badly the stranger gradually worked the conversation around to who was the flag officer here now.

  “Was it the same as last year?”

  “No, it is Admiral Lord Anthony.”

  “I’ve heard of a Captain Anthony,” the man said. “But surely it can’t be the same man. He was way too young.”

  “Probably his brother,” one of the group replied. “The lucky sod. Admiral for a brother and as beautiful a wife as any man could hope for.”

  “I’ll bet he’s home every night,” the man said nonchalantly. “If I had as beautiful a wife I’d be home taking care of business.”

  “No,” another one said. “He’d like to I’m sure but she’s on Antigua with His Lordship’s wife. They have a plantation there.”

  Standing at the bar, an old salt stood waiting on his mate to join him for a wet. He’d been half listening to the young officers playing cards. This last bit of conversation disturbed him. He ambled over to the table and not too gently said, “Ye need to keep a bridle on your tongue, Meriweather.”

  The young officer, who was not used to being scolded in such a way, wheeled around ready to fight until he saw who’d been speaking. He’d been told more than once the master was a hellish, rough customer. Not only that, he’d seen the admiral talking to him like a mate.

  Finally, Meriweather managed, “Don’t be so upset, Jep. Everybody knows where His Lordship’s family lives.”

  “Now they do,” the master replied to Meriweather.

  Turning to the stranger, Jep asked, “What’s it to you where His Lordship’s family is?”

  “Why it was nothing,” the stranger said. “I didn’t even ask. All I said was if I had a beautiful wife I’d be home with her.”

  “It was him,” the stranger continued, pointing to Meriweather, “what said the rest. Ask the others here.”

  “I heard what was said,” Jep replied. “There’s those whose mouth runs away with them but there’s them that pry for such as well.”

  Jep now had his hand on his pistol, his other on Meriweather’s shoulder. “What’s your name, mister?”

  “Miller,” the man said. “John Miller. I came in with the MaryAnn.”

  “You better had,” Jep said. “If I find out different I’ll come looking.”

  Miller hastily gathered the few coins in front of him and rushed out of the tavern. Once outside he smiled to himself. He’d gotten all the information he needed. He then stole a horse that was tied in front of another tavern and rode down the road a few miles.

  There a longboat with its crew waited. Dismounting, he swatted the horse on the rump and it took off back toward Bridgetown.

  As he stepped into the boat the man at the tiller asked, “Did ye get what ye come for, Mr Montique?”

  “I did, Amos, I did.”

  ***

  The following weeks were filled with exhausting patrols always in pairs or groups of three. The monotony of the patrols was broken up occasionally by a reception or somebody’s birthday ball. Not unlike Antigua, when a young lady or gentleman turned sixteen, everybody was invited. By the time a girl reached twenty-one people began to wonder why she wasn’t already married.

  Lord Ragland would host a large reception should a dignitary stop by the island. The largest reception had been given by Mr Houghton in honour of Peregrine and Lizard coming to his family’s rescue. It was followed up three months later with his daughter’s eighteenth birthday party. While all the young gentlemen were enamored by the young lady, Christina, Houghton’s daughter only had eyes for Lieutenant Davy.

  “Make you jealous?” asked Francis Markham, Gabe’s friend and fellow captain.

  “No,” Gabe replied. “Not jealous…just envious.” It had been months since Gabe had had the brief visit to Antigua.

  “I remember when we used to woo them,” Markham continued.

  “I hear that you’ve been keeping company with a young lady yourself,” Gabe said.

  “Polite company so far. She is Lord Ragland’s niece.”

  That explained the polite company remark, Gabe thought.

  “I’d keep it polite old friend,” Gabe said. “You never tally with the feelings of a politician’s family.”

  “Not only that,” Markham responded in a whisper. “I hear he’s killed a dozen men in duels.”

  “Only six,” a voice from behind said.

  This startled the two men who turned to find Lord Anthony behind them.

  Red faced at being overheard, Markham stammered, “My apologies, My Lord.”

  “Nonsense, my boy. No apology necessary. However, make sure your back is to the wall and not an open doorway if you’re saying something you don’t want overheard.”

  “Good advice, My Lord, I will always remember it,” a relieved Markham replied.

  “I noticed a deck of cards on a table in a room we just passed. Would you mind following me?”

  As they made their way into the room the deck of cards was still on the table.

  “We have been called upon to escort a convoy to St. Augustine,” Anthony informed the two.

  “Intrepid, Lizard, and Alert are going to act as escort. I want one of you to follow at a distance.”

  “Do you have word of an impending attack?” Gabe asked.

  “No,” Anthony replied. “But this will be the last convoy of the season. It’s now or the privateers will have to wait until next year to try their luck. I think someone will chance it.”

  Seeing Hazard,
Anthony called to his flag lieutenant. “What will it be, high or low card that will escort the convoy?”

  “Low card will escort the convoy, My Lord. An ace counts as eleven.”

  “There you go, gentlemen,” Anthony said. “Now draw.”

  Gabe and Markham each drew their card.

  “Captain Markham, show your card.” It was the queen of hearts.

  “Captain Anthony, let’s see your card.” It was the two of diamonds.

  “Well, old boy,” Gabe said with a smile. “It appears you will have a bit of time to keep polite company with…ah…I don’t recall her name.”

  “That’s because I didn’t give it,” Markham replied sarcastically. Then remembering the admiral was standing there he followed up in a softer voice. “It’s Molly, sir, Miss Molly Ann.”

  ***

  A brisk, easterly wind brought Peregrine surging through the warm Caribbean waters. The convoy had left early the previous day. The rumour had been spread that Peregrine was carrying dispatches for Lord Ragland to Grenada. Once out of sight of land, Gabe was to come about and overhaul the slower convoy.

  Gabe rested his glass on a shroud but nothing showed on the horizon. He was agitated. He’d been that way since he’d been summoned to the flagship the night before sailing. Lord Anthony, Gil, had told him about Jepson’s conversation with Meriweather and the man called Miller.

  “The merchantman was gone the next day so we couldn’t confirm if the man was who he claimed to be or not. However, speaking as your admiral, it would do no harm in stopping at Antigua on your return trip. Lord Ragland, as has Mr Houghton, offered lodging for our wives during the holidays. If Faith is able to travel we will accept his hospitality.”

  Dagan eased up to Gabe. He didn’t say a word. Sometimes just being close was worth more than words. That was what Gabe needed now.

  Paco saw his captain and Dagan standing by the weather rail. He was troubled, Paco knew, but did not know the cause. Paco’s life had been much improved since coming aboard as cox’n. He’d never known such comfort and stability. Carried me right into his home, Paco thought. Well, he’d face ole Diablo himself if he had to. Men like the captain didn’t come around often.