Michael Aye - Barracuda

"Wouldn't mind seeing her again for a day or so.

Then I'd be ready to set sail," Buck said as he took a deep sigh.

"Well, we'll see if Saint Augustine has anyone to stir your humours."

"Huh!" Buck replied. "There's plenty of that, I don't know if it's the sun or possibly the Spanish heritage sir, but the women in the… ah… establishments around Saint Augustine are dark-skinned with ready smiles and bold looks. The way they flash their eyes at you is enough to set a sailor's heart ablaze. They tend to be very shapely, sir, all buxom and smiles. Several of our lads wouldn't mind having a closer relationship with the local women I'm told."

"Well," Anthony said as he pushed his chair back allowing Silas to pour the hock he'd retrieved from the bilges, "let's try not to cause any problems with the local men over these women."

"Nay, my lord, there'll be no trouble as long as our jack tars keep a full purse and a condom on hand." Admiral Lord Anthony walked down the corridor toward the ballroom; Flag Captain Buck at his side and Flag Lieutenant Hazard was directly behind. As the door was opened by a footman Anthony heard Hazard take in a deep breath when he saw the bare shoulders and deep cleavages of the ladies who were wearing gowns of various colors. Anthony saw Buck hesitate ever so slightly in his pace so that Hazard would come abreast then whispered to the lieutenant, "Don't stare." Hazard gulped and shook his head.

Buck then leaned toward Anthony and spoke softly,

"Not as grand as Antigua but the evening has promise." As the three officers made their way further through the entrance and to the first step of three that led down to the ballroom floor the footman tapped a long stave on the floor gaining everyone's attention, "Admiral Lord Gilbert Anthony."

This drew curious stares from the mass of people already circulating inside the ballroom. A huge chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling with four smaller ones bordering it. The heat from the candles intensified the already warm evening. The musicians as if on cue started playing again.

The governor, looking debonair, was dressed in all white much as he had been when Anthony first met him.

Anthony introduced Captain Buck and said, "You remember my Flag Lieutenant Everette Hazard?" Greetings were exchanged and the Governor said, "I have someone I'd like you to meet, my Lord." This was Buck and Hazard's cue for each to go their separate way. Hazard looked somewhat lost but was quickly relieved when he spotted other naval officers he knew. Buck had spotted a lady who had on such a low cut gown she need not have covered herself at all. She returned Buck's bold stare then flashed a fan to her face trying to hide a glint of a smile as Buck made his way toward her. Maybe the evening holds more than just promise, Buck thought.

Buck took one glance over his shoulder and saw Anthony and the Governor shaking hands with another man.

"Lord Anthony, I'd like you to meet Colonel Thomas Browne," Governor Tonyn said as he introduced the two men. "As I've placed the defense of Florida in your capable hands I thought the two of you should meet. I have given Colonel Browne command of the Florida rangers."

"How many men do you have?" Anthony asked.

"At present we have two hundred or so," Browne answered, "but the way… we fight large numbers would only work against us. My rangers are made up of Seminole Indians led by Chief Cowcatcher, loyalist and free black men who know their way around the woods." Listening to the man talk Anthony could feel his energy and knew right away he was a very competent

soldier. Browne soon excused himself as he was summoned by a very attractive lady.

As he made his departure Tonyn stepped close to Anthony and said, "Would you believe the damn Georgia rebels tarred, feathered and partially scalped Browne? That's why his hair is long."

Seeing a British officer Tonyn said, "That's General Augustin Prevost, Commander of the Royal American Regiment. He is in charge of the defense of Saint Augustine. As you can imagine, he doesn't like Colonel Browne. He doesn't think Browne's guerrilla warfare is honorable. Not a gentleman, he says." But speaking very stern Tonyn said, "For what the rebels send against us I'd rather have Browne's rangers than a dozen of Prevost's regiments."

As the evening continued Anthony spied Hazard and one of Knight's lieutenants standing in the center of a group of young ladies. Seeing the smiles on the lieutenant's faces and the look of awe from the young ladies he could only imagine what tale of derring-do's was being told.

Without realizing her actions, one young lady touched Hazard's empty sleeve. The young lieutenant was so enthralled with the conversation he appeared not to have noticed the act, something that would have caused him to jerk back three months ago.

Good, thought Anthony. He's realizing the loss of the arm didn't make him less of a man. He at this particular time appeared to be treated like the hero he was.

Anthony continued to observe the group a few more minutes when he realized how much he missed Lady Deborah… Lady Deborah and a daughter he'd yet to lay eyes on. Damn this war, he thought, damn it to hell.

Gabe was listening to the sounds overhead as he sipped on his coffee. Lum seemed awkward this morning, almost distant.

"Did you enjoy your time ashore last night?" Gabe asked. Dawkins had taken Lum in tow and the two had gone into Saint Augustine.

"Yes, suh."

"What did you think of the town," Gabe asked trying to draw Lum into conversation.

"Well, suh, Beaufort ain't got nuthin' on it, but it ain't no Charlestown." Lum still wasn't his usual self.

"Is there a problem Lum?" Gabe asked.

"Well, suh, I jus' ain't used being round no trouble." At that time there was a knock at the cabin door.

"First lieutenant, sir," the sentry said.

As Jackson made his way in Gabe could feel his stomach tighten. The look on Jackson 's face was enough.

"What is it Mr. Jackson?"

"Mr. Lancaster is in jail, sir."

"In jail, damme sir, what's this about?" Gabe exclaimed.

"He was in an altercation at some tavern."

"The Mermaid," Lum volunteered. Both officers turned to look at Lum.

"You know about this?"

"Aye, sir, I was there."

"Is this the trouble you just spoke of?"

"Yas suh, that's hit."

"Well what happened?" Gabe asked.

"Well suh, Dawkins, he done struck up a conversation wid what he called a lovely little doxy. Deys was two of dem, but old Lum didn't wants ta boder wid

'em none cause I's be thinking about Missy Faith and Nanny. Well, upstairs Dawkins goes whilst I watch over his purse and finish my wet. Den da's a comotion to beat da devil. Dis sodjar man trys to kiss Mistah Lancaster on da face. Den Mistah Lancaster slaps dat sodjar man a good'un and says he don't have no time fah no damn sodimite sodjar. Dat heathen then grabs a-hole of Mistah Lancaster like he was a woman and say's 'When I'm done ye'll be squealing like a pig.' "

"When Mistah Lancaster wouldn't squeal da man starts biting on his eah and foh ya know'd it he done bit poh Mistah Lancaster's eah clean off. Dat's when Mistah Lancaster felt blood running down his face and puts his hand to his eah but dey ain't no eah dar, so he cries out

'You bung bustin' scum' and shoots da man right in his… his… ah… you knows what Bart calls 'is wedding tackle. Den da's dis Captain man wid moh sodjars take poh Mistah Lancaster off to da jail."

Gabe and Jackson sat astonished at Lum's narrative.

"And you saw it all?" Gabe finally asked.

"Aye, suh, wid my own peepers. I's as close as I is to you right now."

"Well, I'd better go check on our midshipman. Mr.

Jackson, get my gig ready," Gabe said. "Where's Dagan?"