He glanced up into the shrouds and saw Buster Jack and Fynn were amongst the other boys of the topside world - preparing to fire muskets as they passed the Achilles. Buster Jack saw him, smiled as he waved his sword. John waved back.
When the Bridget broke off from the Pendragon, Sir Duncan cursed Doddle for being a coward. "I'll see Doddle hang for this, the stinking coward!"
"That's not Captain Doddle, Sir Duncan!" Captain Worsley announced as he stood looking through his glass.
Peck grabbed his spyglass and leveled it at the Bridget. Indeed, it was not Doddle but Turnbuckle. "Edward Turnbuckle, I might have known, short, squatty man! He thinks he has us, but we'll show him a thing or two!" Peck lowered his glass, "Captain Worsley, looks like they will pass to the larboard side. Make sure the battery is prepared."
Worsley considered the civilian for a moment, "This is a king's, ship Sir Duncan. We'll give a good accounting of ourselves - their deception was very effective, I must say. We may not have time to fully load the battery."
Peck ignored him, concentrating on the approaching enemies. "Signal Crosswind and Tobago to close in on us. If we can concentrate all our power on them, they won't stand a chance.
To convey the latest command from Sir Duncan, the signals midshipman bent on the appropriate flags and hoisted them for the other ships to see. Peck, being inpatient demanded of the young midshipman, "Have they acknowledged?
The midshipman managed to hold up his larger signals glass and reported, "No acknowledgement, Sir."
Peck turned and trained his glass first on the Crosswind and then on the Tobago. To his consternation and surprise, they were in irons - out of control with sails flapping in disarray as the ships fell behind - useless and impotent against the pirates.
"Appears they may have lost their rudders sir." Worsley said matter-of-factly.
Peck closed his glass with a snap. "And I'll know the reason why!"
The distance between the ships narrowed quickly. The Achilles gun crews were still in the process of loading the larboard battery so sudden was the change in tactics by the pirates.
John Henry and the Crossbone Children watched as the Bridget opened fire. They passed within yards of the king's ship. Great tongues of fire belched out of the Bridget's guns. The Achilles was caught by surprise. Captain Worsley thought the two ships would engage on the starboard side, but at the last minute, they crossed to the other side. Very few cannon from the Achilles were firing on Captain Turnbuckle's ship. John saw large planks of wood spray the air - cutting down many of the sailors unfortunate enough be on Achilles' deck.
Now it was the Pendragon's turn. John followed directly in Turnbuckle's wake. When opposite the Achilles, he raised his sword and with a swish, he brought it down again. Ava dropped her sword as well and the gun captains touched their slow matches to their five cannon. The deck shivered as the cannon lurched back on their cables, fire and smoke filled the air. John watched the balls and chain shot striking the Achilles rails, breastwork and sails. Here and there a sailor fell from wounds. The high pitched crack of the swivels added to the din of battle along with the musket fire from topside. Here and there, the enemy's cannon fired into the Pendragon. Each time his ship was struck, he could feel the reverberations under him as if the ship itself was screaming out in pain.
The first broadside of a battle is often the measure of success for one side or the other. If aimed right and timed correctly, the enemy can be defeated within seconds. If not, the battle can rage on for hours until one of them is defeated - sunk or wounded so badly it has to retire to lick its wounds.
As the firing ceased, John looked the length and breadth of his first command. From the few shots the Pendragon received, there was a lot of damage to the ship. A few holes appeared in the sails where the enemy cannonball passed through it - separating lines and tackle. On the deck, there was one upended cannon and its crew of children laying on the deck. True to the magic pronounced on them by St. Elmo's Fire, they slowly scrambled to their feet and resumed their part in the fight.
To his horror, he saw Ava lying face down on the deck - not moving. Forgetting his position of responsibility, he ran down the ladder and knelt at her side. He gently took her shoulder and rolled her over. He brushed her hair from her face and carefully propped her up putting his arm around her shoulders to hold her steady. As he watched her face for signs of life, she suddenly coughed then slowly opened her eyes. She looked up into John's eyes but did not say anything. "Are you alright?" he asked.
She said carefully, "Yes, Captain. I'm all right."
He continued to hold her - looking into her eyes. The feelings he had about her earlier faded the instant he saw her laying on the deck. "I'm glad!"
She tried to pull away from him. "Are you?"
He grinned. "Yes. Very glad! I need a good gunner!" She managed to pull away from his grip and stand up.
"Is that all I mean to…" she did not finish.
The crew of the Pendragon was cheering. John stood up and looked back at the Achilles. At first he could not see why they were cheering. Then he saw it. The mainmast of the Achilles slowly fell over, pulling ropes, lines and cordage with it, tearing spars and canvas as it fell across the deck of the enemy ship. The topmast and spar fell into the water with a tremendous crash and spray of water. The mast and spars on the Achilles acted like a sea anchor, moving the ship in a slow circle. John turned as the cheering was taken up by the crew of the Bridget.
Captain Turnbuckle ordered his ship to shorten sail and slow down so the Pendragon could draw opposite him. The Pendragon came upon their ally. John could see large gashes in the Bridget's side. Several men lay on the deck - unmoving. Captain Turnbuckle strode to the side of this ship and using the speaking trumpet again he shouted, "Capt'n. 'Enry, do you desire to board the enemy? They outnumber us two to one, but you be deciding on that."
John looked at his crew from the youngest on the swivel guns and the powder monkeys to the older ones in the tops and at the guns. They looked tired and dirty, but he knew they would do as he commanded. He smiled at Ava as he replied for all to hear, "I agree, Captain Turnbuckle. We'll fight another day. What about the other two ships?"
Captain Turnbuckle yelled back, "They be out of the fight - rudders don't answer it appears."
John said only loud enough for those near him to hear, "Wonder who did that? A black seal perhaps?" He almost forgot about one more prize. "Do you have Doddle onboard your ship?" he yelled back at Turnbuckle.
Turnbuckle smiled, "Arrr, he be aboard alright. You be want'n him over there?"
John considered it for a moment then yelled back, "No, the Achilles is wounded, not dead. They can put to rights the damage and still come after us. There is an island about ten miles nor-west of here. We'll rendezvous there if you please."
Captain Turnbuckle nodded as he said, "Aye, Captain 'Enry. We be see'n ya there."
John smiled and turned back to his crew. "Secure the guns. Mr. Cumberbatch, have the well sounded to see if we've taken any hits below the waterline." Cumberbatch grabbed a crew member and they disappeared below to see if there was any water coming in.
John saw Buster Jack and Fynn still up in the mainmast crosstree. "Jack, set your hands to repairing the lines and sails." Next he looked aft and saw Scrounger still standing with his hands on the wheel of the ship. "Scrounger, nor-west if you please."
He turned to Ava, "What were you about to say?"
She furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes as she said slowly, "Nothing Captain Henry. I must attend my guns if you don't mind." She turned and went to work.
He walked quickly to the quarterdeck, bent down and retrieved his hat and put it on. He sheathed his sword and said for all to hear, "Steady as she goes, Lads!"
Chapter 30
The Duel
By the time the ships reached the rendezvous island, the sun was sinking low in the western sky - the clouds were drenched in crimson as they reflected the sun's rays. The wind was
reduced to a gentle breeze as the anchors from each ship splashed down into the clear blue water. The tiny, low-lying island lay about one hundred yards from where they anchored and was no bigger than a few hundred yards across.
As soon as the Bridget's anchor splashed down in the water, they hauled a boat over the side. Doddle was brought up on deck with his hands tied. He was assisted down in to the boat. Ten minutes later, the Captain Turnbuckle, Mr. Scuppers and Cuthbert Doddle climbed up the side of the Pendragon and stood on the deck.
"My compliments to the Capt'n of this fine vessel!" he smiled as he shook John's hand.
"And welcome to the Captain of the Bridget. A fine vessel by all accounts!" John returned the compliment.
Captain Turnbuckle presented his first mate, Mr. Scuppers. "We've already met, in prison."
Turnbuckle laughed, "Arrr, that be true! Forgot!" Next he turned to Doddle who stood quietly and defiant. "This be ex-Capt'n Cuthbert Doddle. Right now he don't have a ship to call home. I seem to have taken it off 'is hands, so to speak!" Turnbuckle cuffed Doddle upside the head. "Capt'n 'Enry has someth'n to ask yah."
John walked up to the man and stood just a few feet away, "What island did you maroon my father on?" Doddle did not move or say a word, "Tell me the island and I'll set you free."
Doddle smirked. "Or what? You'll have Captain Turnbuckle here do your dirty work?"
John stepped closer, "I want to know where you left my father - tell me!" he demanded. The crew of the Pendragon gathered around, intently watching the confrontation.
"I'm not afraid to die by the hand of a man, but you are not a man and can't do your own dirty work, Mr. Midshipman!"
"Cut his ropes. Release him!" John shouted as he stepped back. "Someone give him a sword. We'll finish it right here and now!" None of the crew had ever seen John Henry like this, so angry and determined. He unsheathed his sword ready to fight Doddle.
Doddle spit on the deck. "You'd like that wouldn't yah. I knows you can't die while on the water."
John considered it for a second. "Fine, we'll go ashore then."
Buster Jack stepped next to his friend, "John, don't do this! He outweighs you by a hundred pounds!"
Ava also rushed to his side, "John - please don't do it. He's not worth it."
"It's worth knowing where my father is. I can't go on unless I know for sure what happened to him."
Unseen by any of them, Scurvy Jones stood watching from the quarterdeck. He was shaking his head as John Henry and Cuthbert Doddle argued. He whispered, "Don't to do it boy!" and continued to shake his head.
John asked, "I have need of your boat, Captain Turnbuckle."
"Aye, I suppose you feel you have to be do'n this." He looked around at the gathered children. "But since this bilge rat can't be trusted, Mr. Cumberbatch and I be go'n with yah and see that it be a fair fight."
Doddle smiled, "Fine, and if I win what then?"
"You'll be set free!" John announced. "No harm will come to you." He turned to Cumberbatch and Captain Turnbuckle, "I have your word on that?" Both men sadly answered yes.
John continued, "But you will write on paper the bearings of the island you marooned my father. If you win, you keep the paper. If I win, I'll take it off your corpse."
"Do we have an accord, Captain Doddle?" John asked.
Captain Doddle smiled. "Aye, we have an accord."
Someone produced some paper and quill. Doddle scratched something on the paper, folded it and put it in his pocket.
As John prepared to go down into the boat, Ava grabbed him by the arm and turned him towards her. "Please don't do this - it doesn't make sense. He's more experienced than you."
John gently removed her hand from his arm. "It's my choice."
"You are stubborn, John Henry. I don't want you fight this man. I want you here with us - the Crossbone Children and me."
"I want to be here too, Ava." He said solemnly to all the children, "I want to stay with all of you, but I came to the Caribbean to find my father. That was always my goal and now I may have a chance to find out where he is." He smiled and pressed Ava's hand, "I must go." He said softly.
She watched as he disappeared over the side and down into the boat. Unable to bear it, she dashed to the far side of the ship. Most of the girls in the crew went with her and surrounded her offering words of comfort.
There was absolute silence onboard both ships as Cumberbatch and Turnbuckle rowed the boat the one hundred yards to the white sandy beaches of the island. The boat struck the sand and all four occupants climbed out and walked a few paces inland.
Cumberbatch could be seen drawing his knife out and cutting the ropes that bound Doddle. Turnbuckle tossed Doddle a sword and the duel began. The two combatants circled each other, trying to determine each other's weaknesses. Doddle struck first, John easily deflected the blow. John struck back, and the blow was deflected by Doddle. All the children were gathered at rail, intently watching their leader and friend fight the man who became the symbol of John's struggle to find his father.
Now the blows came quicker and heavier and despite the gentle noise of the waves lapping on the sandy beach, they could hear the rasp of blade on blade. Doddle raised his sword to attack, John thrust his sword, but Doddle was too quick and the blade caught John on his left arm. Gasps were heard from the crew of the Pendragon. Ava could not take it anymore and joined the rest of them at the rail and watched.
Again Doddle raised his arm, but this time, John stepped aside catching Doddle of balance. John's blade entered the chest of Captain Doddle. Doddle's blade fell from his hand and he fell face first into the sand. John could be seen crouching down at his side perhaps retrieving the paper with the bearings on it. John finally stood up and sheathed his sword. Captain Turnbuckle and Mr. Cumberbatch helped John into the boat. They shoved off leaving Doddle's lifeless body as it lay on the white, sandy beach of the tiny island.
At length, the boat arrived back at the Pendragon and John was helped up the side and onto the deck of his ship. There were bloodstains on this upper left arm, but there was no wound. The children stood watching John as he flexed his arm. "Apparently, when we touch the ocean, our wounds heal too. Thanks be to St. Elmo's Fire!" The deck erupted in a loud cheers and laughter as they gathered around their Captain. They offered him congratulations and thumping him on his back and shoulders, relieved to have him back.
Ava had moved back to the opposite side of the ship with her back to John. He pulled away from the others and walked towards her as he said deliberately, "They say you are a good ship's gunner." He stopped.
Without turning around - she said, "They say you are a good ship's Captain, but I heard you were only a midshipman."
He smiled as he gave his best Edward Turnbuckle imitation, "Arrr, that be the truth of it Lass, but a midshipman what be a fencing expert and the champion of me school."
She whirled around, facing him. There were tracks of tears running down her powder-stained face. She narrowed her eyes as she replied, "Champion? You might have least told me!"
John smiled, "You never would have believed me and besides, Doddle needed to think he could win."
"Did you at least get the bearings?" she asked.
"He had no honor in life or in death. The paper was blank, he just pretended to write. We'll just have to keep searching."
She smiled and rushed forward and throwing both her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and they embraced while standing on the deck of the Pendragon with all the crew watching. Buster Jack's eyes popped out of his head, but then a smile spread across his face. As for the rest of the crew, they were embarrassed at first by the spectacle, but now they cheered. "Huzza for the Crossbone Children and Captain Henry! Huzza!
Scurvy Jones stood next to the ship's wheel and said ever so quietly, "The knights sat at the table, as round as can be. Their children are here and now they be free! The Crimson Prince is living today, now he and his friends take on M
organ Le Fey."
Epilogue
When the Pendragon returned and safely tied up to the pier on Crossbone Island the crew was glad to be on land once again. They found their huts and thankfully fell asleep. Sleep finally overcame the new Captain of the Pendragon but shortly thereafter, John Henry's dreams once again turned into another encounter with the strange, dark hooded man.
He said, "That was a foolish thing you did with Doddle! You let your feelings and emotions get the better of you. You must guard against such things. You are better than that. He might have killed you."
John was a bit annoyed at the stranger's accusations. "I did what I thought was the only way to find my father."
The man whispered, "You must look beyond finding your father. I will guide you."
John shot back, "And just why should I listen to you? Who are you?"
The stranger slowly turned toward John as he removed the hood from over his head. By the light of the moon, John could see that he had long flowing white hair that tumbled over his shoulders. His long white beard matched his hair and hung well past his chest. His face held the wrinkles of many years but his dark eyes were full of life. He stood looking at John for what seemed a long time before he announced, "My name is Merlin."
Crossbone Children and the Orphans of Avalon Page 28