Michael Aye - Barracuda

A group of off watch seamen had fashioned fishing lines and one had caught a nice size red snapper. As he was pulling the fish in a barracuda flashed by. His body like silver daggers as he bit the snapper into, leaving the fisherman with only the head for his troubles.

Bart, standing alongside Lord Anthony and Merlin's captain, Stephen Earl, had watched the scene as it had taken place in the clear water. "Makes you think about wot Gabe reported don't it?" Bart volunteered. "That frigate just tearing apart the brig the way he did. No conscience, that bugger, a vicious one I'm thinking." Used to Bart's uncanny ability to bring one's thoughts to bear, Anthony agreed. "He's vicious no doubt, but what would cause a man to be so?"

"Are you thinking we could be dealing with Montique, my Lord?"

"No, Stephen. Montique would have sunk the ship, but he would have taken off everything of value before doing so. I think we're dealing with a different type villain this time."

"Deck there!" The lookout called, "A signal from HMS SeaWolf, sail in sight."

"Have Gabe investigate," a visibly excited Anthony ordered Earl. "Then signal LeFrelon to assist."

"Aye, my Lord," Earl replied but before he could give his orders the lookout called down again.

"SeaWolf 'as signaled three sails from the sou'west."

"Damme, but this may be a profitable day," Earl exclaimed unable to keep the excitement from his voice.

Once Earl had gone about his duties, Bart edged up to Lord Anthony. "We's a fight ahead o' us today. I feel hit in me bones. No sightseers today I'm thinking."

"Why you damned old bilge rat," Anthony retorted,

"I bet you don't even know where your blade is and if you do, I'll bet the blade has rusted in the scabbard."

"Aye, it may be with us standing 'bout all da time but I's betting Silas has got some slush wot'll free it up, and hit ain't too late to put a new edge on it."

"Sail ho! Three sails in sight. Two be schooner and one be a bigger fish."

Hearing this Earl looked at Anthony and rolled his eyes, "Gawd," he groaned and called to the first lieutenant, "take a glass to the mast, Mr. Rodney, and tell us what you see. Damme man, his Lordship is right over there, do I have to remind you of your duties in front of the admiral?"

A sheepish Bart turned to larboard to hide his grin as he whispered to Anthony, "Earl's a cheeky bugger, ain't he? Sounds like Captain Buck when he says 'Gawd don't he?"

Trying not to chuckle, Anthony replied, "Aye, that he does, but let's go below and let Captain Earl run his ship."

Gabe stood perched against the forward bulwark, glass to his eye. He braced himself to get a better view as SeaWolf plunged through another wave. The dip and roll made it difficult to focus on the approaching ships. Two schooners and a small frigate. The schooners were clearly a pair of Jonathan's but the frigate… he couldn't be sure… probably Spanish, but not the same one that had blasted the brig a few days back.

Another dip of SeaWolf's bow allowed a cresting wave to come aboard, fairly drenching Gabe then running down the scuppers. Damn, Gabe said to himself somewhat embarrassed. He'd been so focused on the approaching sails he'd not paid attention and now was paying the price.

"Decided to take a bath did you?" Dagan asked. It was what the first lieutenant had wanted to ask but didn't, not yet sure of his relationship with the captain.

Glaring at Dagan, Gabe snapped, "It's a warm day, why not?"

Dagan not moved by Gabe's attempt at sternness asked cheerfully, "Should I have Lum bring you some soap or will a towel do?"

Unable to act irritated any longer Gabe said, "A towel will do."

The sun shone bright on the sparkling water. Little vapors were seen arising from Gabe's uniform as he gave his hands and face a final rub with the towel. "Make a signal to the flag, Mr. Lancaster, three privateer, two schooners and one frigate of twenty-eight guns."

"Aye, cap'n," the youth responded then hurried off to do his bidding before the cap'n caught him smiling.

Turning to the first lieutenant, Gabe asked, "Where lies LeFrelon?"

"She's overreaching us now, sir," Lavery volunteered before Jackson could speak.

"Very well. Beat to quarters, Mr. Jackson. I feel it will be two against three until Merlin can overhaul us."

"Think we could delay things until she arrives?" Jackson asked not liking the odds of two large schooners of fourteen guns each and the twenty-eight gun frigate. It was more than any sane man would want to face.

"I don't think it's up to us," Gabe replied, noting the privateers had split up. The two schooners to windward and the frigate to leeward.

"Bet they've played this game before," Gunnells offered.

"Deck there! Signal from LeFrelon. Attack ships to windward."

After pausing, Gabe realized Knight was the senior of the two so he had the right to give Gabe orders. He will have a hard time of it, Gabe thought. It was apparent Knight was no coward or one to shirk his duty. He'd taken the frigate leaving Gabe with the schooners, theoretically a more even match up.

"Merlin has signaled, harass the enemy," Jackson said.

"What's he mean?" Dagan, who had been listening but had not spoken, now addressed the first lieutenant.

"His way of telling us to be careful if possible.

Harass, but don't attack. If we can play cat 'n' mouse long enough, we'll have the odds in our favor."

"I wish the admiral hadn't sent Swan off on dispatch," Lavery interjected.

"Not squeamish are you sir?" Gunnells asked. Being new on board SeaWolf, the master had no idea of the action Lavery had been in.

Hearing the interaction, Gabe not wanting any conflict spoke up for his lieutenant, "Nay, Lavery's not squeamish. Prudent is more to my thinking."

"Deck there, the leading schooner 'as opened 'er gunports," the lookout called down.

"No doubt now," Gabe volunteered to his officers.

"They are deliberately seeking action." After looking over the ship Gabe spoke to the first lieutenant, Mr.

Jackson. "Those boarding nets are too tight. See to them if you will sir, they need to be slackened." Then looking down the main deck he could see the gun crews were standing about. The gunner had already carefully selected his first ball, making sure it was free of any rust and as near perfect as could be for roundness.

The men had various types of scarves and bandanas tied over their ears to reduce the noise.

A tub full of cutlasses, pikes and boarding axes set amidship. Turning aft Gabe saw Lum and Dawkins.

Neither had to be involved but he'd not try to talk them into going below to safety. Dagan was aft as well; he was talking to Caleb.

Wonder where that damned ape is, Gabe thought. As the thought crossed his mind so did another. Dagan was making his way toward him so Gabe held his thought.

When Dagan grew close he spoke softly, "Did you ever hear of an ape being killed in action?" Dagan stopped dead in his tracks and looked directly into Gabe's eyes then they both burst out in laughter.

One of the gun captains hearing the laughter spoke to his gun crew, "Lookie there laddies, iffen the cap'n can 'ave 'isself a chuckle then he can't be much worried about them buggers. So when the ossifer gives the word, fire, let's lay about like I's done showed ya!" The gun captain was a leathered wrinkled old salt who was nearly deaf from serving the guns for thirty or more years. His ready grin showed gaps between his yellowed teeth. Experienced as he was, his word put not only his gun crew but also those on either side at ease.

BOOM!… BOOM!… BOOM!

"Well, they'd open the ball," Gunnells cried out.

Gabe ignored the privateer's opening shots. They were more for effect that anything else. It would be another five minutes before they would be in effect range. Noticing how the two schooners were sailing gave Gabe an idea. It would be nip 'n' tuck for a harried moment or so, but he knew what SeaWolf could do.