Michael Aye - Barracuda

BOOM! The forward ship, the Indiaman had fired.

"It'll be a costly affair sir." This from the master.

"Aye," Knight replied, "but you didn't expect to live forever did you?"

"Well, sir," the master replied, "I can truly say I'm right wid me maker but still while I'm ready I can't say as I'm raring to go."

Such wisdom, Knight thought.

Then Lieutenant Brooks was there, "It appears, sir, like that Dago can't stand not getting the first shot in, and he's overtaking the Indiaman."

Not believing his ears Knight picked up his glass to see for himself. Brooks was right. Barracuda was reaching on the lead ship and would pass to windward.

"That's it," Knight said. "They've made the first mistake. Barracuda's arrogant captain couldn't stand to let the Indiaman draw first blood. Hopefully, it'll be his undoing." Then Knight called to his master, "Set a course straight toward the bow of the Indiaman, then when I tell you veer to larboard. If all works well maybe we'll only face twenty guns on the first pass instead of forty or more."

"Aye," the master replied then ambled to the wheel.

Knight then called to the signal midshipman, "Mr.

Byne, run up the signal, enemy in sight, then after a spell haul it down and acknowledge."

The mid looked dumbstruck at his captain, "Who are we signaling to, captain? The squadron is in Saint Augustine."

Knight snapped at the youth, "Damme sir, I know that but yonder ships don't."

Seeing the hurt look on the boy's face Knight relented, "My apology, sir. I'm in an ill mood and I've no right to take it out on you."

"Thank you, sir," the youth replied not believing the captain would apologize to the likes of him. "I understand now sir," the mid continued. "The signal is to keep 'em guessing."

"Right you are lad, now off with you."

BOOM!…BOOM!…

Fire from both ships now. The Barracuda had gained firing position.

"The next will be a hit if we maintain course, cap'n." This from the master, "If we loose our bowsprit we'll never be able to carry out your plan."

Knight who had once again taken up his glass spoke softly, "Patience, sir, patience."

Barracuda was to larboard but not yet along side the Indiaman.

BOOM!…BOOM!…

Both ships had fired again almost like they were in a contest. CRASH! A shudder went through Neptune as she took a hit forward. Almost like it was in slow motion.

Knight could see bits and pieces of wood and splinters flying through the air. Looking forward the bowsprit and the bow chasers were intact.

"We lost part of Neptune 's head, captain," Brooks volunteered speaking of the ship's figurehead.

"I believe we are almost in range now, Mr. Brooks.

Have the gunner man the bow chasers and let those rogues feel Neptune 's anger over being defaced."

"Aye, cap'n, we'll give a good accounting." Barracuda

"Mr. Brooks."

"Sir."

"Have a care, should I fall, you will be in command."

"You'll not fall," Brooks replied as he went to carry out his captain's orders.

I wish I felt as sure, Knight thought.

BOOM!…BOOM!…

Again the enemy was firing. This time they fired high, trying to bring down the mast and riggings.

"Zur, zur," this was a petty officer. "Begging the cap'n pardon, zur, but the lookout 'as been calling to you, the Indiaman is full of sojars 'e says."

"Damme," Knight exclaimed, outgunned and doubly outmanned. The sound of cannons continued, both the enemy's and Neptune's. The air was rent with the sounds of balls flying by. Then another crash forward and the hatch cover flew through the air.

Seeing it Knight looked to see if he'd given the order for the ship's boats to be set adrift. No need for them to add to the danger of flying splinters. Seeing they were gone he took up his glass again. Had he waited too long?

No, Barracuda was now directly along side of the Indiaman. She could never change course now without risking a collision. Then doubt came into Knight's mind.

Was he falling into their plans? No… no… he'd not doubt himself.

Looking one last time he called to the master, "Now, sir, alter course to larboard and we'll pass the Indiaman and give her what for."

Then

calling

another

midshipman,

"My

compliments to Mr. Dey, we will attack to starboard."

"Aye, captain," the excited youth replied then hurried off to deliver the captain's message.

It was too late now for Barracuda to change course.

The broadside when it came seemed to vibrate the

distance of Neptune 's hull as the cannons went off almost in unison. They'd gotten the first broadside in but the Indiaman was returning fire, not with the precision of Neptune, but just as deadly.

Shudder after shudder as balls crashed into Neptune 's hull. But Dey was as good as his word. Neptune 's gunners were firing round after round. Neptune was fighting for her life and the gun crews knew it. Then they were past and the firing ceased, at least for the moment.

As the ship sailed out of the smoke that only seconds before had engulfed both ships the lookout called down,

"Barracuda 'as tried to come about but now she's in stays, zur."

Hearing this, Knight ordered, "Put your helm down.

Maybe we can get in a blow before she can recover from her confusion.

BOOM!…BOOM!…BOOM!…

Neptune let loose another broadside and Knight witnessed the accuracy of Neptune 's gunners as ball after ball hit the Barracuda. But now the Spaniard was recovering and returning the fire. A scream forward as a ball plowed through and overturned a gun. A small explosion and then a fire. They must have been reloading, Knight thought. The fire was quickly put out by the gun crews to either side

Now Barracuda had completed coming about and was bearing down for the kill. Neptune 's stern guns were firing now.

"Come about to larboard," Knight ordered. "Let's see if we can get the Indiaman between us again." Then a loud crash from the stern and a runner reported, "Both stern guns 'as been 'it sir, all dead."

"Gunfire, sir, from out in the bay."Aye, Mr. Jackson, I heard it," Gabe answered. He too had heard the deep thud… and thunder of cannon fire.

"Looks like Captain Knight has met up with the rebel ship," Dagan volunteered.

"Ships, I'm thinking," Gabe replied, "I'm sure it's more than one from the sound of it."

The wind had picked up and on a full ebb tide Gabe was moving down the mouth of the river quickly… too quickly for the master.

"I know you want to help, sir," he said, "But if we run aground we'll be no good to anyone." The master was right Gabe knew, but he couldn't bring himself to reduce sail, not with Knight taking on two ships. From the sound of it, big ships. Dagan glancing at Gabe seemed to read his thoughts, "I'll go aloft."

As Dagan ascended to the mainmast, Gunnells approached Gabe, "We're almost at the mouth of the river now."

Nodding, Gabe then called to the first lieutenant,

"Mr. Jackson, beat to quarters. I want the guns double shotted and a measure of grape. We have to make a statement with our first broadside before they know we are alone."

"Aye, sir."

After what seemed an eternity but were only a few minutes Dagan was back at Gabe's side. " Neptune looks about done for. There's an Indiaman that's also in a bad way… " Dagan then paused before he continued, "The other ship looks like the Barracuda. She's got damage, but not so's she can't fight."

Jesus, Gabe thought, what can SeaWolf do against such odds.

"I'll not see Knight perish without trying to help," Gabe said.

"I never thought you would," Dagan replied as he put his hand on his nephew's shoulder, "but give a care, don't put yourself at risk." Then smiling he said, "Faith would never forgive me."