Michael Aye - Barracuda

Once the survivors were removed Knight had charges laid about. "I'll not see her scavenged," he said to Markham. There was precious little to scavenge thought Markham but he agreed. The explosion that sent swells under the boats being rowed back to their ships was ignored by the men. Not one turned to see the little ship slip away below the surface as she and her dead came to their final resting place.

Admiral Anthony and Flag Captain Buck sat quietly at the admiral's table. Bart and Silas were silent in the pantry and Flag Lieutenant Hazard stood to the back of Admiral Anthony, moisture filling his eyes as Knight made his solemn report. Markham stood by quietly reliving the moment as Knight explained in detail the loss of Lieutenant Kerry and HMS Pigeon. As usual the word had spread throughout the squadron and created a somber mood. Everyone had known and liked the captain of the lost ship and its crew.

"I'm sorry, my lord," Knight said as he finished his report. "I shouldn't have allowed Kerry to venture in as he did."

"Sorry… why damme sir it's I who should be sorry. I should have brought this rogue to play before now.

Captain Buck."

"Aye, my lord."

"General signal to the squadron, prepare for sea."

"The entire squadron, my lord?" Buck asked.

"Yes, put every ship a sail. We're going fishing… for Barracuda."

Anthony reported to Tonyn and made him aware of his plan.

"But what of Saint Augustine, what are we to do?"

"You have both the Rose and the captured xebec," Anthony answered diplomatically. "But in truth, sir, I believe the knowledge of us being here has been spread so that no attempt on the city is likely. We will probably be back before the word can be spread that we're gone. I also believe once we deal with the Barracuda the menace will be so reduced there'll be no need for an entire squadron."

"We'll see," Tonyn answered skeptically, but he did agree the Barracuda had to be dealt with and soon.

For six long days Anthony's squadron sailed down the coast of Florida and into the Keys. The cutter, Audacity,

was used to take soundings and mark channels in and around the Keys where a ship could hide. Lieutenant Hazard was on board acting as a pilot to help mark the channels on the admiralty chart. It felt good being back at sea doing something useful… something he'd spent his life before the Navy doing.

At the larger Keys men went ashore in boats. At Key Largo a large fishing village was found where the Barracuda

fisherman admitted seeing the large ship captained by a Spaniard. He was last seen at Long Key the man had said, but he was also seen at Sugarloaf Key and Cayo Hueso. Cayo Hueso is much in use.

"Lots of pirates hide in that area," the man had said.

"They call it Pirates Cove. It has a deep water anchorage and therefore many ships stop there. This makes for big profit for the pirates."

After hearing this Anthony set down with Buck and Oxford, Warrior's old master. "Looking at these charts," Anthony said, "it looks like it's only a small distance from Cayo Hueso to Havana."

"Aye, my lord, about ninety to one hundred odd miles I'd say."

"And to Isla de Tesoros?" Anthony queried.

"I'd double that and more," the master said. "You have to sail around the western tip of Cuba from our current position."

"Yes, I remember," Anthony said. Then turning to Buck, he said, "I think we'll poke our nose into Havana Harbour. Just enough for them to know that we're about."

"Might flush out a rat," Oxford said.

"Or a Barracuda," Buck chimed in.

"Might not either." This interruption made the three men look up from the chart. Anthony knew something was amiss the way Bart had spoken. Once he had their attention, Bart continued, "We just got a signal from Gabe, water spout on the horizon and the sky is turning dark."

"Gawd!" Buck exclaimed.

The group then made their way on deck.

"Aye, we're in for a blow," Oxford said in a nervous voice as he went to check the barometer. "Pressure is falling," he stated matter-of-factly.

Buck then turned to Anthony and could see the conflict going on in his mind. Command… so much responsibility; not just one ship but the entire squadron.

Without thinking Buck touched Anthony's arm.

Glaring at the darkening sky Anthony said, "I know Rupert. We can't be caught here in a blow. Make general signal, take position on flag, and then set a course for Saint Augustine. The Barracuda will live to swim another day, but not for long."

As Anthony walked dejectedly back to his cabin Buck thought, Damn the Dago bastard anyway!

Rain falls when it wants to,

Like the wind that fills our sail.

I recall the tears on her face,

When we said our farewells.

Her memory's like a dagger,

The blade, cold and sharp.

All the nights I walked these decks,

With a lonely aching heart.

Tomorrow we'll return to port;

This cruise is finally over.

She'll be standing on the pier,

Waiting for me to hold her.

– Michael Aye

The storm lashed out violently as the waves crashed and beat upon the wooden hull of the ships in Lord Anthony's squadron. The pennant snapped and sounded like a gunshot as the mast and spars groaned. The winds created a whistling sound in the shrouds as the storm blasted down on the ships.

The helmsman steered a course almost due north as the squadron tried to outrun the tempest. It was on the eve of the third day the sun peeked through the clouds and the wind that drove the ships so furiously quieted down to a gentle breeze. Anthony came on deck and greeted his flag captain.

"She's a gallant ship, captain."

"Aye, my lord, with a gallant crew. It is my intent to splice the main brace before we come about and make our way to Saint Augustine."

"Good idea," Anthony replied. "How's the rest of the squadron?"

"All present and on station," Buck replied. "Audacity looks a little worse for wear but she's under full sail." Then Buck looking past his admiral could see the master approaching. "Well, Mr. Oxford, have you a good guess for our position?"

Anthony smiled appreciatively. Oxford would be as close as anybody could be but Buck was right. The exact position would be little more than a good guess until the noon sights could be done on the morrow.

Oxford ignored Buck's remarks and said, "There's a group of islands to larboard that I think is the Outer Banks of North Carolina so I judge we're in fact just off Cape Hatteras."

The master's positioning was very accurate as was usual for his breed of old salts. After the noon sighting the following day the squadron came about and made a leisurely cruise south to Saint Augustine. Audacity and SeaWolf chased a small schooner up the Cape Fear River inlet before being recalled by the flagship. Lord Anthony also allowed Swan and SeaWolf to take a peek into the harbour at Charlestown and Savannah but found nothing in either place.

The sight of British men-o'-war did cause alarm to the citizens of both places whose life had been very peaceful up to that point. It was at sundown on the fourth day after coming about the squadron dropped anchor at Saint Augustine.

Lord Anthony was disgusted as he seemed to face nothing but one frustration after another in his attempt to come to grips with the privateer Barracuda.

"We have been very successful overall," Buck pointed out. "Our convoys are making it through so there's no doubt as to our impact."

"Aye," Lord Anthony agreed, "but I'll not rest until Pigeon is avenged. We cannot, I will not allow a ship under my command to be destroyed without bringing the offender to justice."

Buck could tell by Anthony's voice his ire was up.