Michael Aye - Barracuda

"Bring me his affidavits and if they look plausible I'll allow him to sit for the examination." Then looking at Gabe, Anthony said, "If anybody can round up a forged set of documents I guess Bart will know who he is." Then without thinking Gabe said, "Bart and Gunnells already have them."

Seeing the look of disbelief on his brother's face Gabe made a hasty departure but not before Anthony had commented, "We'll all be on the beach if you two keep it up."

"Don't yew forget about Dagan," Bart said.

"Dagan, aye Dagan."

"See I told yew, yew be gettin' forgetful. Yew know iffen we's on the beach Dagan will be there with us."

"Damn your hide," Anthony bellowed but he was speaking to an empty doorway.Davy and several other mids had passed the examination for lieutenant and now they were all at the Mermaid to celebrate. Now they couldn't wait for a billet to come open so they'd actually be commissioned. Buck and Earl had pulled Gabe and Markham aside and explained how hard they had drilled Davy. He did not get frustrated; he thought out his answers and did very well.

Then Buck said, "But anyone who could talk two King's officers into forging such a set of affidavits ought to be a lieutenant."

"Four," Markham said.

"Four, what do you mean four?" Buck questioned.

"I mean four officers. You two have known Davy as long as we have so you are as much a part of this as we are."

"Then it's five," Earl said. When the other three looked at him Earl continued, "Don't forget about his lordship."

"Humph," Buck said. "Best we be remembering.

Gunnells signed his certificates and as one of the finest masters in the Royal Navy, I'd not question his word."

"Here, here," the group replied. "A toast to Gunnells."

As the merriment was winding down Domingo made his way over to Gabe. "To be a midshipman, is this something anybody can do?"

Amazed at his friend's inquiry Gabe said, "Yes.

Generally there's a desire on behalf of the boy to have a life at sea. Then the father or guardian seeks a sponsor or perhaps they themselves will apply to a ship's captain for their son or someone they know to be favorably considered a midshipman. Most often if it's a relative of an admiral or person of influence; it's just being able to outfit the lad and provide him with enough of an allowance to live on. I must tell you Domingo that most

midshipmen come from families with influence. A few such as Mr. Davy make lieutenant but without influence, to go beyond is almost unheard of."

"Do you think that I, as a humble merchant, would be able to outfit my son and provide enough allowance long enough so that he could decide if he truly wants to live a life at sea?"

Gabe was not sure how to respond. With what the tavern was now making, Domingo could outfit the boy, but with his Spanish heritage and no influence life would be rough. Even with his father being an admiral, it had been very tough for him at times. Gabe could only imagine how things would be for a Spanish tavern keeper's son in the Royal Navy. How did you explain to a 'landsman' what went on in the midshipmen's berth?

How once signed on, the captain couldn't interfere least he is accused of favoritism. The lad would have to face up to bullies, poor food and a list of dangers that could take a life in a slip of a second. Not to mention the added dangers of war.

"Are you talking of Alejandro?" Gabe asked.

"Si."

"Has he ever been at sea?"

Domingo shook his head, "No."

"How is his education?" Gabe asked.

"It is well, senor. He speaks English and Latin and can do his arithmetic."

"Can he write well?" Gabe asked.

"Si, senor, he is very smart."

"How old is he?" Gabe asked.

"He is fourteen."

"Well," Gabe said. "He's older than I was and he's big and healthy enough to handle the rigors of shipboard life. Is he easy to anger?" Gabe asked.

To this Domingo raised his eyes and said, "Yes, sometimes too quick."Well, thought Gabe, what do I do?

"Let me think on it Domingo and if I decide to take him on, I'll be his sponsor. That may prove helpful at some point."

As Gabe left the tavern he discussed the situation with Markham.

"I don't know," his friend said. "It would be a long shot at best. I'd talk to Dagan and see what he thinks.

You know he's the one who'd know best except maybe his Lordship."

"Thanks," Gabe said, "for telling me what I already knew."

"Well there's no charge for the obvious," Markham quipped. "By the way have you seen Nancy lately?"

"Not that I can recall. Last time I saw her she was giving the nurses what for at the hospital for not taking proper care of Sir Raymond."

As the two friends walked on a thought came to Markham, "You know Gabe, Domingo is liable to lose both his children to the Navy: Nancy to Sir Raymond and Alejandro to SeaWolf. Bet he never expected that before we showed up."

The day dawned clear and warm with a humid breeze blowing across the anchorage toward the harbour. Gabe was hard to rise as was usual for him. He'd talked with Dagan and decided to allow Alejandro to come aboard for a trial. Dagan had felt it would be good for the boy to see another side of life, even if it was for just a short period.

Dagan had told Gabe, "If Domingo convinces some other captain to take the boy aboard, whether it is a merchant or naval vessel the chance of the boy coming home in less than a year would be doubtful. This way if in a few days he decides this is not what he wants, he can

slip anchor and go ashore. If he takes to the sea you can sign him on."

Dagan had also recommended he spend some time with Davy while he was still a middy. "Let the two talk man to man so to speak," Dagan had said.

Gabe had sent word to Domingo for the boy to be ready this morning and Gabe would send for him.

"I'll go," Dagan had volunteered, "and on the way back we'll stop and visit on the Swan for a while. I'll see if Markham 's anymore chipper in the morning than you."

"Take Lum with you," Gabe said. "We need several things for the pantry and have him check my store of cigars before he leaves."

"I'll tend to the tobacco," Dagan replied. "I'll get us some good hand-rolled Virginia leaf cigars." Gabe hadn't missed the "us" in Dagan's comment.

"You enjoy your evening visits with the Virginians I take it."

"Yes," was Dagan's only response.

"Gil tells me Colonel Manning's wife has a sister, a recently widowed sister. Does she add to the pleasure you enjoy during your visits?"

"She doesn't take away from it," Dagan replied matter-of-factly.

"Was I going to be told about this lady?" Gabe asked with a grin.

"It appears you've already been told."

"Is there a possible future relationship?" Gabe continued, realizing Dagan seemed a bit uncomfortable with the conversation.

"There's always a possible future," Dagan answered.

"Now finish getting dressed and drink your coffee before it gets cold. Damned if you ain't worse at rising now than you used to be. All that hooting with the owls keeps you from soaring with the eagles."Gabe had been working at his desk for the better part of the morning. Dagan had not returned so he was either still ashore or on Swan. The groan of a ship is something a sailor hears daily and learns to tune it out.

However, the groans were becoming more frequent and the sounds of timbers creaking as waves were lapping at the side of the hull could be heard. As Gabe rose from his chair to go topside he could feel the slight heave of the deck as SeaWolf tugged at her mooring. A dark cloud blotted the sun from view and the sky had an ominous look.

Lieutenant Lavery was quickly at Gabe's side and said, "General signal from flag, sir, put to sea."

"Any sight of Dagan?" Gabe asked.

"Yes sir, he and a lad went aboard Swan about a quarter hour ago."