Michael Aye - Barracuda

Turning his attention to the gun captains of the bow chasers, Gabe said, "An extra tot to the first crew to put a ball up… ' Cuda's arse."

This brought a cheer as the two crews raced to get off the first shot. Just before the guns went off Gabe heard a crashing sound as Merlin gave a shudder.

"Damme," he shouted. "Where'd that come from?"

"They've a battery ashore," Lieutenant Davy volunteered. "I saw the smoke from the mangroves yonder."

"Get this wreckage cleared," Gabe ordered.

Another crashing sound and Gabe raised his glass to see if there was enough smoke to pinpoint the battery.

"Mr. Lavery."

"Aye, captain,"

"I want you to lay a barrage on yonder mangroves.

There's at least two guns in there. Twenty-four pounders at least from the sound of them."

"Aye, aye captain."

Men were running in confusion as another ball scored a hit on one of the gun crews.

"God be merciful," Gabe whispered in a swift prayer. He was suddenly pushed backwards as a falling spar impacted with the deck creating a jolt throughout his body. Men were all about hacking away at the ropes and lines attached to the spar then when cut free dumped over the side.

A loud bang from forward attracted Gabe's attention as a cheer went up from the larboard bow chaser.

"Up 'is arse it be," the gun captain cried.

Then a loud boom ashore, Merlin's gunners must have hit the powder store for the shore battery as flames gushed into the air.

"That'll do them buggers," Gunnells declared.

There was no longer any fire from ashore so Gabe ordered, "Cease fire, cease fire. Mr. Lavery."

"Aye, captain."

"Mr. Druett."

"Aye, captain," the gunner replied.

"Keep a steady fire going with the bow chasers.

Maybe we'll get lucky and give the ' Cuda a taste o' what we gave the rogues ashore."

Lord Anthony walked the deck of Warrior unable to relax. It was already 'hot' in his cabin and only slightly better topside where a zephyr teased, disappeared then returned. It was now past dawn and impatiently he waited.

Warrior and Defiant had been at anchor for over an hour now. Glancing at Buck, the flag captain shook his head, "Nothing to report, my lord."

Bart appeared to be just as miserable himself only he'd had the good sense to remove his coat, so at least the heat was more bearable. Anthony had refused to remove his, citing the need to be recognized by the crew.

Bart had snorted, "'Em wot don't recognize yew now never will no matter wot yews wear." As the dawn broke Anthony could smell the aroma of pipe tobacco drifting across the deck. Bart had waited till the glow of the match wouldn't be seen ashore then lit up. His way of dealing with the stress of waiting. Silas had just brought him a glass of lime juice when he heard a distant rumble, not unlike thunder just over the horizon.

He walked to the lee rail and was met by Bart and Buck who drawled, "Gunfire by Gawd. Gabe has come to grips with the cutthroats."

Now the sound had become distinctive as the deep percussion of Merlin's cannons was followed by the bangs from SeaWolf's six pounders.

"Damme, if they ain't pouring it on," Buck said proudly.

"Hopefully they are giving and not receiving," Anthony said with a concerned voice.

The sound of gunfire continued almost in a rhythm when suddenly the unmistakable sound of a heavy broadside filled the air.

"That wasn't Gabe," Buck exclaimed.

Biting off a bitter retort Anthony tried to control his emotions as he felt his chest heave and a sickening wave of nausea swept over him. He gripped the bulwark trying not to be sick when Bart got his attention.

"Merlin be firing again, Gabe's giving the sodomite wot for again."

Anthony's ears now picked up what Bart's keen hearing already had. Thank God, he thought.

"Deck there," a cry from the lookout, "Two ships coming out the channel. One be a sloop hit be.

Tothers a frigate."

"'Bout time the bastard taste some real metal," Buck declared.

"I agree," Anthony said. "You may fire when convenient, Captain Buck, and pass the word to Defiant to do likewise."

"Aye, my lord."

"Rupert."

"Aye, sir."

"Concentrate on Barracuda. No prizes today. I want her sunk."

Buck was taken aback by the vehemence in Anthony's words but understood. They'd lost too much to this ship. "Sunk she'll be, my Lord, she'll never taste wind in her sail again."

Warrior had cleared for action at dawn and men rested beside the guns. "Now," Buck ordered, "open gun ports, run out, fire, fire as you bear." The combined broadsides of Warrior and Defiant struck the unsuspecting ship a devastating blow.

"It was like she had ran aground when the first balls hit," Bart said, "She'll not last… she be sunk and jus don't know it… yet."

Yet defiantly the Barracuda turned directly toward the Anthony's two anchored ships. A shout from above as the lookout called down, "Merlin's clearing the channel." A sense of relief came over Anthony. "Captain Buck."

"Aye, my lord."

"Signal Merlin to give chase to the sloop."

"Aye, my lord."

"Look yonder, sir," this from Herrod, Buck's first lieutenant. Fire was amidship of the Barracuda.

"He's turned her into a fire ship by Gawd," Buck swore.

However it was obvious the ship was well down in the water and with the next broadside she broke in half and sunk immediately. There had been a steady stream of sailors jumping clear as Barracuda was being pounded by Anthony's ships.

Buck turned to Lamb, his second lieutenant, and said, "Put someone in the boats and pick up any survivors." Then as an afterthought he looked toward Anthony, who nodded his consent.

"Deck there," the lookout called again. "SeaWolf 'as cleared the channel."

Anthony breathed another sigh of relief. "Captain Buck, signal SeaWolf to assist in giving chase to yonder sloop."

"Aye, my lord, but I doubt Gabe will need any assistance."

Turning their attention to Merlin, Anthony could see Gabe had just fired a warning shot across the ship's bow.

When the warning was ignored Gabe fired a broadside.

This took down the forward mast which half hung over the side creating the effect of a sea anchor. This did it. As the ship carried no flag, the captain had the bow put into the wind and the sails hauled down.

"'E struck," Bart declared.

Gabe, Dagan, and Gabe's new cox'n Paco filled the captain's gig with a crew while Lieutenant Davy and a squad of marines under Sergeant Schniedermire pulled toward the sloop.

"Look," Gabe called to Dagan. "No wonder she got away so easy. She's been pierced for sweeps."

"Aye," Dagan replied. "They pulled themselves around without us being any wiser and only set sail when they were ready."

Hearing the conversation Davy couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt. He'd wanted a better look but hadn't insisted. If Warrior hadn't been lying in wait Barracuda would have gotten away.

"Lieutenant Davy."

"Aye, captain."

"Have the marines board from the starboard while we board from the larboard side."

"Aye, captain."

"Mr. Davy."

"Aye, sir."

"Keep a sharp lookout. I don't trust these rogues."

"Aye, aye sir."

One of the sailors forward used a boathook to grab onto the chains. As per custom Gabe stood up in the stern sheets only to be surprised when Dagan climbed up the tumblehome and through the port. This had taken the crew totally off guard but all eyes remained forward and nobody spoke. With a quick breath Gabe reached out and hauled himself out of the boat and through the entry port.

Once on deck, Gabe could see the marines were formed up and ready to fire. Behind him the gig's crew boarded and fanned out. The sloop's crew was gathered between the main mast and the quarterdeck.