Barracuda: The Fighting Anthonys, Book 3

by Michael Aye

  The habitual greeting, the habitual reply.

  “Mr. Jackson, let’s get the men fed before we have to douse the galley fires.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  Dagan came forward with a cup of coffee. “Not like the kick you get with Silas’s coffee but its got flavor,” he said.

  Silas always spiked his coffee wit a small tot o’ sumthin’ to get you going. Lum on the other hand added a small amount of chicory to his coffee that made the coffee strong but once the taste had been developed nothing else satisfied. Caleb had gotten to where he stopped by every morning for a cup and Dawkins wasn’t shy about grabbing a cup, “to help me concentrate on me duties” he’d said.

  It was now fast growing light and you could now see the Key in the distance.

  “Let’s get underway, Mr. Jackson…quietly if you will.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  “Mr. Gunnells, make our course sou’west by west.”

  “Aye, captain, sou’west by west.”

  “Deck there,” the lookout called down, “Breakers on the larboard bow, sir.”

  “We’ve a good three miles,” the master said without being asked as Gabe turned to him.

  It was then that Hazard spoke, “Nothing to worry about, sir.”

  Gabe watched as the land became nearer. “Alter course two points to starboard, Mr. Gunnells.”

  “Aye, cap’n, two points it be.”

  “Damme,” Gabe said, “I hate entering into a channel like this.”

  “I can get us through captain,” Lieutenant Hazard declared.

  Seeing the relaxed look on Hazard’s face eased Gabe’s anxiety somewhat but not completely. “Very well,” Gabe replied. Then so that everyone on the quarterdeck could hear he said, “She’s in your hands, Lieutenant Hazard.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.”

  Then to Gunnells, Hazard ordered, “We will alter course, steer west by north.”

  Then turning to Gabe, Hazard said, “I’d put a couple of leadsmen in the chain, sir.”

  Nodding to Graf, the bosun set about the order.

  They were less than a mile from the entrance of the channel when Gabe ordered, “Clear for action, Mr. Jackson…quietly.”

  Quietly, aye,” Jackson replied. He then asked, “Should we signal SeaWolf, sir?”

  Somewhat taken aback by the question it took Gabe a moment to realize Markham was now on SeaWolf. He was on Merlin.

  Feeling somewhat embarrassed at his momentary lapse he spoke sharply, “I assure you, Mr. Jackson, Captain Markham knows how to command his ship.”

  Gabe was instantly angry with himself and spoke again, “Forgive me, Jem, I had no call to speak that way.”

  “No apologies necessary, captain,” the first lieutenant replied as he went about passing the word to clear for action…quietly.

  “A touch of nerves?”

  Gabe turned and was facing Caleb.

  “We’ve not had much time to talk lately,” Gabe said, feeling the need to talk to his friend.

  “You’ve been busy,” Caleb replied.

  “Aye,” Gabe answered, “but we should never get so caught up that we don’t take the time to talk even if it’s over coffee.”

  Then Caleb spoke the words Gabe knew was coming. “After this, when the time is right and things are settled I’m going to Virginia. I want to see Dagan’s niece. I’ve a longing for her that will not go away.”

  Gabe had noticed the change in Caleb’s demeanor around the wenches and thought so he’s finally found the right woman. He could feel the emotion in his friend’s voice but didn’t trust himself to maintain his composure with the direction of the conversation so he jokingly said, “Are they ready for Mr. Jewells?”

  The comment had the desired effect Gabe wanted and Caleb broke out laughing after a sudden look of concern. Men running to their battle stations broke up the conversation.

  “We’ll talk later,” Caleb said.

  “Aye, later.”

  As the men rushed about clearing for action Gabe felt like a bystander. He could hear the different sounds all mingled together as a sort of chaos became order, each man carrying out his assigned duty. The thud as screens were torn down, the sound of feet on the planks as seamen hurried across the deck, the clearing of hammocks and mess tables as they were cleared from the ropes and tackles of the guns.

  The wisp of sand being strewn across the deck and rattle of metal as a tub of cutlasses was set, none too gently, on deck. Watching the scene, Gabe recalled Lord Anthony…Gil’s quick words the brief moment they were alone before getting underway, Have a care, Gabe, no heroics today…Gabe don’t close with the ship, don’t let them board you. Like quicksilver, the loving concern of a brother was gone, replaced by the duty of an admiral.

  “Cleared for action, sir.”

  Damme, Gabe thought, daydreaming again.

  “Very well,” Gabe replied, joining Hazard and Gunnells by the wheel.

  Only one helmsman had the wheel but another stood by, in case…in case. They were now entering the channel and the chance of danger increased with each passing minute.

  Seeing Gabe’s concern, Hazard volunteered, “She’ll be fine.”

  Well, he may have traveled this channel many times, Gabe thought, but not with some bloody rogue ready to blast you out of the water.

  Entering the channel you could see coral reefs to both larboard and starboard and there seemed to be a swirl of water indicating a change in the current. Looking over the side the water was crystal clear with multi-colored fish darting about in schools. A few jellyfish floated on the gentle swells and gulls hawked and hovered above, then like a flash dove after some tasty morsel.

  Once inside the channel Dagan pointed out a pelican sitting on the stump of a dead tree. A crane standing in shallow water at the edge of a patch of twisted mangroves was startled by some unseen predator leapt up and flapped its huge wings becoming airborne while a white egret sat comfortably in her nest watching as they slipped past.

  “It’s hard to believe we’re headed to a fight, doesn’t it?” Dagan asked. “The place is so tranquil I hate to disturb it.”

  “Aye,” Gabe replied. “I could get use to the lazy life on an island.”

  “Or a horse farm.” Caleb had once again come on deck and spoke. This caused Dagan and Gabe to smile.

  Seeing Davy approaching, Gabe turned his attention to his lieutenant. “Lookout says they can see Barracuda’s mast, sir.”

  These were words Gabe had been expecting but dreaded to hear. “Very well, have our new midshipman, Mr. …ah…”

  “Hawks, sir. Richard Hawks,” Davy reminded Gabe.

  “Yes, well have Mr. Hawks signal SeaWolf enemy in sight.”

  “Aye, sir,” Davy replied.

  “Mr. Jackson.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  “You may run out the guns.”

  “Aye, aye sir.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The salt air had corroded the hinges on the gun ports so that they squeaked loudly as they were opened. A groaning sound emerged as men pulled on the ropes and tackles till the cannons were trundled into position and the word was passed by Lieutenant Lavery, “Guns run out, sir.”

  Gabe had ordered the guns be double shotted so the first broadside would be devastating. Not like SeaWolf’s popguns, Merlin spoke with force.

  Lieutenant Ferguson, the new lieutenant who had been one of Neptune’s officers was forward by the bow chasers. He had an apprehensive look but Gabe thought who wouldn’t after having been mauled as they had. This was his first action since that terrible day and if he didn’t break today he’d be a fine officer.

  Gabe forced himself to stand still while Lum handed him weapons, two pistols and his sword. Lum had a boarding pike and an axe while Dagan, true as always, had a blade the size of a claymore.

  Gabe watched and as the bend was made shouted, “Fire, fire as you bear.”

  The hull seemed to jerk and shudder as gun by gun the
double shotted cannons spit forth a flame of murderous hell. The charges ripped over the channel and into the unsuspecting enemy. As the guns were being reloaded Gabe could hear SeaWolf’s guns going off as she concentrated her fire on the clearing beyond the Barracuda.

  Gabe recognized the unmistakable sounds of grapeshot being fired from swivel guns. Then Merlin jerked again as her cannons slung the twelve balls crashing into the Barracuda. Hit after hit was scored as evidenced by debris flying through the air.

  On shore screams and curses were heard. A few men and several half-naked women ran into the trees while others ran for their ship.

  “No doubt about those whoresons having headaches now,” Hazard said jubilantly.

  Dagan was then at Gabe’s side, “The look is calling down. There’s another ship.”

  So there was cause for Gil’s concern, Gabe thought. Looking beyond Barracuda’s taller sides, sails could be seen as the smaller ship appeared to be headed out of the anchorage toward the Gulf. The ship had been sheltered from the onslaught by the bigger Barracuda.

  Gabe had ordered all sails reduced before entering the channel but Merlin seemed to be gliding along faster than he wanted. He was about to reduce more sails when a hurrying Jackson skidded to a halt almost touching Gabe.

  Shouting to make himself heard he said, “Barracuda’s slipped her anchor cable and her bow is coming around.”

  How? Gabe thought. Then it suddenly came to him. While de Lavago may have been surprised he’d kept his wits about him. Now with a glass Gabe could see Barracuda turning. They had passed a towline and the smaller ship was towing the larger ship down the channel.

  Still looking through his glass, Gabe saw Barracuda’s gunports open as she was pulled so that her guns came to bear.

  “Down,” Gabe cried. “Everyone down.”

  No sooner had the words been shouted than the air was rent with a flaming hell. It was like a volcano erupted as cries and screams mixed with the sound of shattered rails and torn planking emerged in to one.

  Thank God SeaWolf was astern, Gabe thought, as he lifted himself up from the torn deck. Damn that cunning bastard, de Lavago, he thought. He’d one chance and he’d taken full advantage of it. Thank God, bow’s on as they had only had a third or so of the cannons found their mark. That was bad enough, Gabe thought, as some men were being carried down to the surgeon while others, no longer recognizable as a man were being unceremoniously dumped over the side.

  Seeing the bow chasers were still intact Gabe called, “Lieutenant Ferguson.”

  “’E’s done fer, sir,” A gun captain said. “The ’Cuda’s done got ’em.”

  I didn’t even know the man, Gabe thought, but he seemed to know the…how did the gun captain say it…the ’Cuda. The ’Cuda had his number.

  Turning his attention to the gun captains of the bow chasers, Gabe said, “An extra tot to the first crew to put a ball up…’Cuda’s arse.”

  This brought a cheer as the two crews raced to get off the first shot. Just before the guns went off Gabe heard a crashing sound as Merlin gave a shudder.

  “Damme,” he shouted. “Where’d that come from?”

  “They’ve a battery ashore,” Lieutenant Davy volunteered. “I saw the smoke from the mangroves yonder.”

  “Get this wreckage cleared,” Gabe ordered.

  Another crashing sound and Gabe raised his glass to see if there was enough smoke to pinpoint the battery. “Mr. Lavery.”

  “Aye, captain,”

  “I want you to lay a barrage on yonder mangroves. There’s at least two guns in there. Twenty-four pounders at least from the sound of them.”

  “Aye, aye captain.”

  Men were running in confusion as another ball scored a hit on one of the gun crews.

  “God be merciful,” Gabe whispered in a swift prayer. He was suddenly pushed backwards as a falling spar impacted with the deck creating a jolt throughout his body. Men were all about hacking away at the ropes and lines attached to the spar then when cut free dumped over the side.

  A loud bang from forward attracted Gabe’s attention as a cheer went up from the larboard bow chaser.

  “Up ’is arse it be,” the gun captain cried.

  Then a loud boom ashore, Merlin’s gunners must have hit the powder store for the shore battery as flames gushed into the air.

  “That’ll do them buggers,” Gunnells declared.

  There was no longer any fire from ashore so Gabe ordered, “Cease fire, cease fire. Mr. Lavery.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  “Mr. Druett.”

  “Aye, captain,” the gunner replied.

  “Keep a steady fire going with the bow chasers. Maybe we’ll get lucky and give the ’Cuda a taste o’ what we gave the rogues ashore.”

  Lord Anthony walked the deck of Warrior unable to relax. It was already ‘hot’ in his cabin and only slightly better topside where a zephyr teased, disappeared then returned. It was now past dawn and impatiently he waited.

  Warrior and Defiant had been at anchor for over an hour now. Glancing at Buck, the flag captain shook his head, “Nothing to report, my lord.”

  Bart appeared to be just as miserable himself only he’d had the good sense to remove his coat, so at least the heat was more bearable. Anthony had refused to remove his, citing the need to be recognized by the crew.

  Bart had snorted, “’Em wot don’t recognize yew now never will no matter wot yews wear.”

  As the dawn broke Anthony could smell the aroma of pipe tobacco drifting across the deck. Bart had waited till the glow of the match wouldn’t be seen ashore then lit up. His way of dealing with the stress of waiting. Silas had just brought him a glass of lime juice when he heard a distant rumble, not unlike thunder just over the horizon.

  He walked to the lee rail and was met by Bart and Buck who drawled, “Gunfire by Gawd. Gabe has come to grips with the cutthroats.”

  Now the sound had become distinctive as the deep percussion of Merlin’s cannons was followed by the bangs from SeaWolf’s six pounders.

  “Damme, if they ain’t pouring it on,” Buck said proudly.

  “Hopefully they are giving and not receiving,” Anthony said with a concerned voice.

  The sound of gunfire continued almost in a rhythm when suddenly the unmistakable sound of a heavy broadside filled the air.

  “That wasn’t Gabe,” Buck exclaimed.

  Biting off a bitter retort Anthony tried to control his emotions as he felt his chest heave and a sickening wave of nausea swept over him. He gripped the bulwark trying not to be sick when Bart got his attention.

  “Merlin be firing again, Gabe’s giving the sodomite wot for again.”

  Anthony’s ears now picked up what Bart’s keen hearing already had. Thank God, he thought.

  “Deck there,” a cry from the lookout, “Two ships coming out `o the channel. One be a sloop hit be. Tothers a frigate.”

  “’Bout time the bastard taste some real metal,” Buck declared.

  “I agree,” Anthony said. “You may fire when convenient, Captain Buck, and pass the word to Defiant to do likewise.”

  “Aye, my lord.”

  “Rupert.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Concentrate on Barracuda. No prizes today. I want her sunk.”

  Buck was taken aback by the vehemence in Anthony’s words but understood. They’d lost too much to this ship. “Sunk she’ll be, my Lord, she’ll never taste wind in her sail again.”

  Warrior had cleared for action at dawn and men rested beside the guns. “Now,” Buck ordered, “open gun ports, run out, fire, fire as you bear.”

  The combined broadsides of Warrior and Defiant struck the unsuspecting ship a devastating blow.

  “It was like she had ran aground when the first balls hit,” Bart said, “She’ll not last…she be sunk and jus don’t know it…yet.”

  Yet defiantly the Barracuda turned directly toward the Anthony’s two anchored ships. A shout from above as the lookout c
alled down, “Merlin’s clearing the channel.”

  A sense of relief came over Anthony. “Captain Buck.”

  “Aye, my lord.”

  “Signal Merlin to give chase to the sloop.”

  “Aye, my lord.”

  “Look yonder, sir,” this from Herrod, Buck’s first lieutenant. Fire was amidship of the Barracuda.

  “He’s turned her into a fire ship by Gawd,” Buck swore.

  However it was obvious the ship was well down in the water and with the next broadside she broke in half and sunk immediately. There had been a steady stream of sailors jumping clear as Barracuda was being pounded by Anthony’s ships.

  Buck turned to Lamb, his second lieutenant, and said, “Put someone in the boats and pick up any survivors.” Then as an afterthought he looked toward Anthony, who nodded his consent.

  “Deck there,” the lookout called again. “SeaWolf ’as cleared the channel.”

  Anthony breathed another sigh of relief. “Captain Buck, signal SeaWolf to assist in giving chase to yonder sloop.”

  “Aye, my lord, but I doubt Gabe will need any assistance.”

  Turning their attention to Merlin, Anthony could see Gabe had just fired a warning shot across the ship’s bow. When the warning was ignored Gabe fired a broadside. This took down the forward mast which half hung over the side creating the effect of a sea anchor. This did it. As the ship carried no flag, the captain had the bow put into the wind and the sails hauled down.

  “’E struck,” Bart declared.

  Gabe, Dagan, and Gabe’s new cox’n Paco filled the captain’s gig with a crew while Lieutenant Davy and a squad of marines under Sergeant Schniedermire pulled toward the sloop.

  “Look,” Gabe called to Dagan. “No wonder she got away so easy. She’s been pierced for sweeps.”

  “Aye,” Dagan replied. “They pulled themselves around without us being any wiser and only set sail when they were ready.”

  Hearing the conversation Davy couldn’t help but feel a bit of guilt. He’d wanted a better look but hadn’t insisted. If Warrior hadn’t been lying in wait Barracuda would have gotten away.

  “Lieutenant Davy.”

  “Aye, captain.”

  “Have the marines board from the starboard while we board from the larboard side.”