Trident

by Michael Aye

  Once in the cabin, the admiral greeted him and stated he’d sent Chen Lee to get some coffee. With coffee poured and everyone settled down, Hex looked around sheepishly. He was uneasy about what he was about to say.

  Seeing his cox’n’s unease, Gabe volunteered, “Hex, I think I speak not only for myself but for the admiral as well when I tell you any information you share with us will not be disclosed to the Revenue Service.”

  “Thank you, sir. It’s very simple really and you must understand, sir, our signals were mainly to alert other boats we were in company with as to dangers or changes. A lantern with a green glass would be hoisted to larboard and a regular lantern to starboard. If a revenue cutter or danger was spotted we’d hoist a lantern with a red glass below either the starboard or larboard lantern to show the direction for caution. A red glassed lantern between the two meant dead ahead.”

  “Where did you get different colored glass?” Buck asked.

  Before Hex could answer, Crowe blurted, “Out of churches.”

  “Most churches of any size have stained glass windows,” Hex explained. “It doesn’t take much for a good man to take a bit of lead and a hot iron to fashion lanterns with colored glass.”

  “The navy has a rudimentary system with lanterns,” Buck said. “You usually have to fire a flare before they are noticed, however.

  “Well, sir, our boats sail close together, but the signal could be passed on so to speak. Now, the color of lantern could be changed by the captain of the lead boat before we went out if the captain was worried about treachery. We would dip a lantern to either side if it was desired for the other boats to come alongside,” Hex said.

  “Wouldn’t the lanterns alert the customs boats you were about?” Buck asked.

  “Aye,” Hex replied. “But they didn’t know what the signals meant. Remember the codes could be changed each time before putting off. Even if one of the boats were caught, the signals would usually allow the others to escape.”

  “When were the lanterns lit?” Buck inquired.

  “Only when necessary, sir, remember we didn’t even burn a stern light.”

  “Aye,” Crowe spoke up, “our success depended on not being seen. Most of the time it was when we returned that we’d have to worry. At times we’d cast our cargo over the side with a barrel or some type of buoy attached.”

  “Wouldn’t that be spotted?” Gabe asked.

  “Not usually,” Hex replied. “Not unless you knew where to look. The buoy was usually on a short rope and so it was just under the surface. We would come back in a fishing boat later. We’d grapple the buoy and haul our cargo aboard.”

  “Course, we’d have a couple on board making a show of fishing,” Crowe added.

  Gabe looked at Dagan. As a midshipman, he had spent time aboard a customs boat with Dagan.

  “We catch the odd smuggler now and then, as they let us,” the lieutenant in charge of the revenue cutter had told Gabe and Dagan. “They usually get fined and a little vacation time in the gaol. Course, his mates would pay the fine and the magistrate would get his cut. It’s all a show if you ask me.”

  The lieutenant had continued, “If they really wanted to stop the smuggling they’d send out a fleet of customs cutters then send a few up the halter.”

  Gabe’s train of thought was broken as the sentry announced, “Midshipman of the watch, sir.”

  “Lieutenant Wiley’s compliments, sir. It’s just as you thought, Captain, a long boat.”

  “Well, damme,” Buck said.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The boat had indeed been bobbing like a cork on a fishing line. Three men sat in the boat. “Look like drowned rats, they do,” Hayes volunteered.

  Campbell, seeing that the men had no control of the boat, had sent a boat to tow it to the flagship. The men did look like drowned rats, soaked through to the skin and shivering. They were in a bad way.

  “Bond, sir,” a man spoke as he was helped through the entry port. “I was formerly a lieutenant aboard HMS Raven of eighteen guns.”

  “What happened to your ship, Lieutenant?” Buck asked.

  “We were taken, sir, yesterday at dawn. A group of privateers, sir, but only two had been spotted when the captain decided to fight. When the third joined, a small frigate that looked to be British, the captain decided to surrender. He was wounded and the first lieutenant was already dead. The captain had sent me below to cast our papers and dispatches over the side. When I returned on deck the captain was dead. We were given a choice by the captain in charge of the privateers. A boat or join the Americans.”

  “Only three took the boats?” Buck asked incredibly.

  “There were more,” the lieutenant stated. “Two boats in fact. However, the wind got up and a rogue wave almost swamped us. Three men out of our boat went over the side along with the water cask, a case of food, all but one oar, and the lantern. As dark came on I had the oar put up and the lantern lashed to it.”

  “What happened to the other boat?”

  “I don’t know, sir. The master was in it. He was a good man. My men, sir, they’re in a bad way.”

  “They’ve been taken to the surgeon,” Gabe advised the lieutenant.

  “Good men they are, sir. Laqua is a master’s mate, and Sizemore is a gunner’s mate.”

  “We will make sure they are cared for, Lieutenant,” Buck said. “Now, before you go down to be checked out yourself, tell me: did you hear or learn anything from the rogues that took your ship.”

  The shivering man thought for a minute. He’d been given a blanket when he came aboard and now Crowe handed him a glass.

  “This will warm you a bit, sir,” Crowe then turned to the admiral. “With your permission, sir?”

  “Yes, yes,” Buck responded. “I’m glad someone is thinking.”

  “Experience,” Crowe replied. “Been in an open boat once myself.”

  After downing the glass of fiery liquid, the lieutenant shook involuntarily and said, “Thank you.” Handing the empty glass back to Crowe, Bond said, “The privateer who boarded us said he was Captain Horne.”

  This caused Gabe and Buck to look at each other. The same bloody privateer they were chasing, and his ship was probably the Foxfire.

  As the lieutenant was led to the surgeon, he stopped. Turning to the admiral, he said, “I believe Laqua mentioned he overheard one of the privateers say something about Trinidad or Tobago, sir. But you’d have to ask him to be sure.”

  “Thank you,” Buck said. “Now, go see the surgeon.” Buck watched the lieutenant disappear through the companionway. As he was led below, Buck seemed deep in thought. After a moment he seemed to have made a decision. “Captain Anthony.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Have the master get what charts he may have of Trinidad and Tobago and bring them down to my cabin. You and the first lieutenant come as well.”

  “Aye, aye, sir,” Gabe replied.

  Wine was poured by Chen Lee as the group met in the great cabin. “No hot water for coffee,” Chen Lee said in his broken English.

  The master laid out his chart on the table. Using a couple of decanters to hold the map open, he began, “The island of Tobago lies here, sir, just a few miles north of Trinidad. It was governed by us when this chart was made. Course it’s probably changed hands a hundred times.” This created a chuckle as Hayes figured it would. “Trinidad is the island lying south of Tobago and to the north of Venezuela. It’s held by the Dons.”

  “If you were a privateer, Mr. Hayes, where would you choose to anchor?” Buck asked.

  “Well, Admiral, there’s a good many. On the Caribbean side, either Port of Spain, which lies off this peninsula,” Hayes said pointing with a caliper. “Fullarton is more southerly about here.” Again he was pointing to a spot on the map. “Moruga lies here to the south as well. Being on the southern end of Trinidad and just off the northern coast of Venezuela, it would be a good, sheltered anchorage, as well.”

  Looking over the mas
ter’s shoulder, Gabe asked, “What’s this passage here?”

  Hayes responded with a smile, “That’s called the Serpent’s Mouth. It lays off Icacos Point here,” this time he was pointing with his index finger, “and Venezuela.”

  Lieutenant Campbell, who’d been silent thus far said, “So, if I was a pirate anchored here in Moruga and spotted a warship I’d have a choice of trying to escape into the Atlantic Ocean or go through the Serpent’s Mouth into this…”

  “Gulf of Paria,” Hayes filled in for the first lieutenant.

  “Thank you,” Campbell said, and then continued, “and out into the Caribbean Sea where I could go in any direction I desired.”

  “You are right, Mr. Campbell,” the admiral agreed. “We’d have to guard both entrances.”

  “Might be on station until the war is over,” Gabe said.

  “Oh?” Buck inquired.

  “Spain is supposed to be neutral, sir, but we know where their allegiance lies. American privateers frequently take their prizes to Havana or San Juan in spite of their neutral status, much as the Danes did at St. Croix. Horne, if he’s there, could probably stay as long as he desired. If you recall, Admiral, Lord Skalla said that with the French out on the side of the Americans, the Dons would likely follow suit. If they’ve not already done so.”

  “Aye, Gabe. I remember our foreign office man’s concerns.”

  “Would it not be wise to call on the governor at Tobago?” Campbell asked. “Hopefully, he’d have a better grasp of both the political arena and a likely anchorage for the privateers.”

  “I think our first lieutenant is right,” Gabe said as he gazed at the predawn light through the cabin’s stern window.

  Seeing Gabe’s gaze, Buck spoke, “I’ve kept you too long from your duties, Captain, so I’ll detain you no longer. After quarters, see if you can find out any more from our new volunteers. Maybe they can add a touch more light on the matter.”

  Gabe didn’t miss the double meaning in his use of the word light. Campbell was also quick to pick up on new recruits, and thought new hands were always welcome, regardless of from where they’re plucked.

  ***

  Admiral Buck was greeted by Tobago’s Lieutenant-Governor General, Peter Campbell, who explained that the island’s governor had been killed in a duel. Thus far, a replacement had not been furnished by London. So Campbell continued as the acting governor. Without being asked, the man volunteered, “We are a small island, Admiral, with limited resources, but we will be glad to accommodate your squadron as much as possible.”

  “Thank you,” Buck replied. “You are most gracious. Having not long ago been in Barbados, our needs are few.”

  The governor general then invited Buck and his captains to dine with him that evening.

  ***

  At eight p.m., dinner was served after the governor general introduced his wife. Buck in turn introduced Gabe as his flag captain, and then the captains of the other ships in his squadron.

  “Someone so young for such an important position,” Mrs. Campbell said, speaking of Gabe.

  Gabe smiled, not sure how to respond, but Buck came to his rescue. “A lifetime of experience packed into a few years of war, Madam.”

  “I understand,” the woman replied sincerely. “This is a peaceful island, yet we are under constant fear of the French or even Colonial invaders. We are occasional guests…political guests…of the Spanish on Trinidad. Yet who can say what tomorrow will bring.”

  “I see there’s work going on at the fort,” Gabe mentioned.

  “Humph.”

  This drew a sharp look from Campbell at his wife’s grunt. “We are now putting the finishing touches on Fort King George,” Campbell said defensively.

  “Peter has to be the politician, but I don’t.” It was apparent the lieutenant governor’s wife had a mind of her own, which Gabe had found was not uncommon among the island women.

  “Charlotteville has the fort to protect it from the enemy,” Mrs. Campbell was saying. “But it does nothing to help or defend the island’s other towns, especially those on the eastern side. What will the fort do to protect the people of Scarborough or Canaan, or even Plymouth for that matter?”

  “As you see, gentlemen, my wife is very passionate in some areas.”

  Thinking how Mrs. Campbell reminded him of Faith, Gabe responded, “I have a wife made of the same fiber, sir. I often find it easier to make a hasty retreat.”

  Everyone laughed but Mrs. Campbell, who mouthed, “Smart man.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Admiral Buck’s officers gathered around a large mahogany table in one of the meeting rooms at Government House. A sweet lime juice was offered as refreshment. It was good but would have been better had there been ice. Gabe watched as John Jenkins looked at the thin slice of lime floating on top of the juice. After a moment, he reached in with his finger and caught the slice. Tearing it in half, he devoured the piece of fruit, letting the peel fall back into the glass. Leaning over to his friend, Peter Parkinson of the Fortune, he explained, “It’d be better with salt.”

  Joseph Taylor was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. He must have had a long night, Gabe thought. He knew several of the officers had left the governor’s house and enjoyed a few wets at one of Charlotteville’s few taverns. Admiral Buck had spent the night ashore, as the Campbells’ guest. He and Gabe had talked with the governor general after the other officers had thanked the Campbells for their hospitality and departed. Cuban cigars were passed around as Campbell informed his guests that they were a gift from the governor of Trinidad.

  “I pass them out sparingly,” he said, as he held a candle so that Buck could light his.

  “You could give them all away and not hurt my feelings,” Mrs. Campbell volunteered. “The stinking things.”

  Buck stopped puffing, not sure what to do.

  “Go ahead, Admiral, light your cigar. I just wanted to take a moment to say it’s good to have someone from the outside world stop in. Captain Anthony, congratulations on your son.”

  The fact that Gabe had a new son had come up during dinner. As Mrs. Campbell left, the governor general handed the candle to Buck to finish lighting his cigar. He spoke to a servant who left the room but quickly returned with a decanter and three glasses. Brandy was poured and the servant departed. Out of sight but close at hand, Gabe thought. Admiral Buck, with a glass in one hand and a cigar in the other, filled in Campbell on the taking of the Foxfire, its cargo of gold and silver, and the likelihood that they would join up with the French preying on British convoys.

  “We’ve had a few raids here,” Campbell admitted. “Usually they’ve taken no more than could be carried in a long boat, but on a couple of occasions they’ve taken ships. One was a planter’s vessel that was loaded down with cargo to be sent to England.”

  “Do you think Horne and his cohorts could be using Trinidad for a base?” Buck asked.

  Campbell thought for a minute, taking a draw on his cigar and exhaling, he said, “It’s possible. Not in Port of Spain, that would be flaunting the neutrality too much. But it’d not surprise me if he’s found a small village along one of the many beaches or in some inlet. As to which one, I couldn’t guess.”

  ***

  A hush fell over the group of officers as Admiral Buck and the governor general walked into the meeting room at Government House. After a quick greeting, Buck got right to business. “We have every reason to believe the American, Horne, and his raiders may be using Trinidad as a base of operation.”

  William Peckham, of the frigate Venus, raised his hand. “Captain Peckham,” Buck called on him.

  “Is this as opposed to what we were led to believe in regards to St. Mary’s, Admiral?”

  “In truth, we don’t know,” Buck admitted. “The Dons are still neutral, as far as we know, so I doubt they’d risk international attention by openly breaking the neutrality. Therefore, I believe this is just a stopping point where they can repleni
sh before going on to their rendezvous. But remember, gentlemen, it’s a long way to either Madrid or London. It would take a year or more before one government could complain to another.”

  All of the squadron’s officers knew well what their admiral meant. Anything could happen.

  “What I intend to do is pay my respects to the Spanish governor at Port of Spain,” Buck said. “I will do so in one of our sloops. Captain Anthony will decide which one.”

  Thanks a lot, Gabe thought.

  “After paying my respects, if allowed, we will make our way through the Gulf of Paria, through to Serpent’s Mouth. and out into the Atlantic, sailing as close to the coast as possible. If we spot anything we will make our way back here and make plans accordingly.”

  “Sir,” Captain Lamb spoke. “Wouldn’t it be good to have the squadron patrol the eastern coast while you’re at Port of Spain?”

  “I’ve thought about that,” Buck answered. “Captain Anthony has already made that recommendation. However, the knowledge of a British squadron patrolling off the coast of their island might mean a different reception by the Dons. No, I’ll go in one ship. The rest of you will remain here. Captain Anthony will be in command until my return. Unless there are any more questions you are free to go about your duties.”

  Gabe stood and asked the three sloop commanders to remain. After everyone had filed out, Gabe saw a servant with a broom. He called to the servant who was surprised to see this naval officer snatch a straw from her broom. Smiling, he thanked her then walked away. Gabe broke the straw into three pieces, two relatively the same length and one shorter.

  Placing them in his fist, he smiled at the three commanders and said, “Draw straws, gentlemen. The short straw, the unlucky one, gets to ferry the admiral about while the other two get to laze about the island until our admiral returns.”

  John Jenkins drew the short straw. “We’ll be thinking about you, John, while we consort with the island ladies,” the other sloop captains joked.