Michael Aye - Barracuda

"Aye, sir."

The sun was dipping and as it set beyond the horizon strange noises arose from the forest. While the sun was down the humidity was still high and the men were soaked in sweat.

"Glad I ain't pulling one of those boats," Dagan said.

As the night came on and the air cooled ever so slightly a mist rose from the warm Saint Johns. The mist gave an eerie sensation. A slap forward was heard as a man defended himself from a determined mosquito. This made Gabe recall his recent trip up river to Savannah.

They'd be no pipes tonight, however."

It was then Gabe realized all the sounds that dominated the night had suddenly ceased. No more sounds of crickets, no sounds of frogs, no sounds came from the forest; a sudden silence. The men on deck sensed the change as well. Mates spoke in nervous whispers if they spoke at all.

"Mr. Jackson," Gabe hissed.

"Aye, sir," the first lieutenant answered softly.

"Quietly, quietly mind you, have the men man the guns."

"Aye, sir," Jackson replied as he went to do his bidding.

Tension filled the air as weapons were laid out.

"See what the cook can fix the men," Gabe told Dagan, knowing it wouldn't be much with the galley fires Barracuda

out. "Mr. Jackson, after the men are fed let them sleep if they can but we'll remain at quarters." Off to larboard a splash was heard. Was it a fish, or perhaps a bird after a fish. After awhile the wind shifted and the faint smell of wood smoke from somewhere inland drifted on the light breeze. "At least it'll help wid dem skeeters," Gabe heard Lum say but to whom was uncertain as the darkened deck seemed to be filled with shadows. The incoming tide created a lazy roll to the ship not unlike the rocking of a cradle.

Damme but this is not what SeaWolf was built for, thought Gabe.

Two hours had passed when Dagan nudged Gabe.

Without realizing it Gabe had drifted off to sleep in spite of the pesky mosquitoes. He had been dreaming of swimming in a warm pool of water with Faith… nude.

Then Dagan woke him. Damme, he thought, this type of dream hadn't happened before and to be awakened before… ah.

"I hear the boats coming," Dagan whispered.

"They're pulling hard."

Gabe peered over the side but could see absolutely nothing in the mist, then almost like magic the cutter appeared followed by the longboat.

No sooner had the cutter ground to a halt than Lavery was through the entry port making his report,

"Had it not been for the campfires we'd have rowed right into an ambush. One of the Colonel's Indians smelt the smoke so we went ashore. The Colonel had one of his scouts shimmy up a tree. The campfires were obvious from his advantage. I wanted to land the rangers there and head back," Lavery explained, "but the Colonel wanted to get closer and said it could be done more quickly and with less noise if we continued on the river.

We pulled to a spot not more than twenty-five yards from where some of the rebels sat around their fires. I guess the Colonel could tell I was nervous about our

being seen as close as we were. He told me not to worry.

See the men staring into the fire? This has ruined their night vision. When they look away everything appears black. Let this be a lesson to you lad the Colonel said."

"If you are on bivouac put your back to the fire otherwise someone like my scouts will slit your throat before you can blink your eye. He sent one of his men to look for sentries and while we were sitting there we could hear the men at the fires talking. They already have five hundred or so men already staged, sir, but they are expecting another five hundred tomorrow… ere, this morning, sir. They are to come by sea, and run up this river in boats to meet up with those who came overland."

Hearing this disturbing news Gunnells spoke before the question was raised. "We are on the end of the ebb tide and the wind is outta the east, blowing directly against us. It'll be two hours is me guess before we can sail."

"Damme, what I'd give for a set of sweeps right now," Gabe cursed.

"Bit like a frog wishing for wings so 'e don't bump his arse," Gunnells said. Then seeing Gabe's look, apologized. "Sorry sir, didn't mean to be disrespectful."

"No offense taken," Gabe assured his master, "but we are up a creek without a paddle and I've a bad feeling about the morrow."

"I understand sir."

As the master ambled off Gabe called to Jackson,

"Roust out the cook and light the galley fires. I want the men to have a good meal in them, so they'll be ready to face whatever the sunrise brings."

It could be they'd have to face the enemy on both fronts. Could Sir Raymond hold off the invasion force until they arrived to help?

Lots of questions but no answers, Gabe thought

Dawn was breaking as Sir Raymond Knight looked over the deck of Neptune. She was a fine ship with a fine crew. Knight glanced from one group of seamen to another. It hadn't been that long ago he'd been a first lieutenant and he would have been assigning duties to the warrants and petty officers.

Now it was different. More so than he would have imagined as a first lieutenant. He'd expected the responsibility that went with command but the isolation.

That was the hard part. The part he had not considered or expected. The much sought after privacy of the captain's cabin also meant loneliness. Being "the captain" certainly meant privilege but there was also the burden. He had still not gotten over the destruction of the ketch Pigeon and the loss of Lieutenant Kerry. Should he have denied permission for him to give chase to that lugger. No, his mission had been to gather information and so the order was correct but it was a lesson… a lesson he'd not soon forget. Not all was as it might appear.

Knight thrust his hands behind his back grasping the waistband of his trousers as he paced the weather side of the deck.

The air was already warm and humid and made his shirt stick to his chest. The wind teased his graying hair.

As the sun rose further shadows disappeared and the coast began to take shape. How was Gabe getting along? he wondered. If all went well he should be sighted soon.

They'd heard no commotion during the night to suggest otherwise.

"Sail ho, dead astern," the lookout called down.

"She be a big un zur."

Then before Knight could think another cry from above, "Two ships astern, zur, in close company. The second appears to be the Barracuda." Hell's teeth, Knight thought, where's SeaWolf?… though precious little help she'd be.

"Mr. Brooks."

"Aye, captain."

"Beat to quarters if you please. It's a hot time we're about to have I'm thinking."

"Do we come about, sir?" Brooks asked.

"Aye," Knight replied sarcastically, "it's a fight we're in for, but I'll not let the buggers sodomize us as well." This brought a chuckle from the second lieutenant until a glare from Knight cut it off.

"Mr. Dey."

"Aye," the second lieutenant answered solemnly after being silently rebuked.

"Yonder ships would like to have us between them but I'm not giving them the pleasure. We may have to pass them consecutively but I'll not be double-teamed.

Now depending on how they take station as we approach I will pass larboard or starboard so I want you to have the guns loaded on both sides but not run out. Once we have decided I want you to keep up a rapid rate of fire.

You may have to augment the gun crews from the opposite side to maintain the fire."

"Aye, captain," Dey replied. "We'll fire 'um till the barrels melt down." Neptune tilted and Knight grabbed a rail to keep from losing his footing as the ship quickly came about. Taking his glass for a better look Knight realized just how right the lookout had been. She was a big un. The lead ship appeared to be a converted Indiaman. Forty guns at least and damn the lookout's eyes, he was right. The far ship was the Barracuda. Well, Nancy, Knight thought, it could have been a wonderful life.