Michael Aye - HMS Seawolf

"As is mine," Anthony replied, "Have you been able to sort it out?"

"Aye, sir, it appears to be the convoy. We think the rear of the convoy is being harassed by those damn Colonial raiders. We patrol for weeks and not a sight, but just as soon as the convoy arrives so do the sharks."

"No point in showing, less there's bounty to be had is there, Dutch?"

"No, my Lord, but it's vexing al the same." About that time the lookout hailed down. "Merlin's up to the head of the convoy, sir, but I can't make out what's happening further back in the pack." Anthony looked to Moffett upon hearing the lookout's report.

"I sent Merlin and Audacity to investigate as they were closest to convoy," Moffett stated. I'm sure those raiders will be less likely to hang around if there's a show of force."

"Good," Anthony replied.

Half an hour later the first of the convoy were clearly visible and headed to Halifax. Lieutenant Angus approached the first lieutenant, "Have you noticed, sir, how al the ships in the Colonies are named. It amazes me. We've seen the Bonnie Lass, the Sarah, the Beloved Brenda. Do you think she's a wife or mistress?"

"I don't know," Herrod answered Angus, "But keep your eyes peeled for the Charming Peggy. She's been turned into a privateer."

Hearing the Lieutenant's talk of wives and mistresses made Anthony think not only of his wife, Lady Deborah, but also of his father's mistress and Gabe's mother,

Maria. Deborah and his sister, Becky, had vowed to visit Maria frequently. Anthony could only imagine how alone she must feel living in the house in Portsmouth.

Her companion of many years now gone, and her son far away fighting in the war. Anthony prayed al was well. He also prayed Deborah was well. She was his wife, his friend, and his lover. She was al a woman should be. She had been very proud of Anthony's promotion, but on their last night together before the squadron sailed, she had whispered, "Admiral you'll be to the world, but to me you'll always by my dashing captain." She'd wanted to be left with child. "Your leaving will be almost unbearable," she'd said.

"I'll worry everyday, but if I'm with child, I believe, it would be much easier." Deborah was nearly thirty while Anthony was thirty-eight. Neither were old, but old enough. Waiting would only worsen the risk for Deborah, Caleb had said. Well, if she were not with child it would not be from lack of trying. If she was, Anthony wondered when he would be home to see his child. How old would he or she be? God! So much to ponder.

"Deck there!" the lookout again. "Merlin has come about and is headed our way. Looks like she's got a small prize."

Anthony turned to his flag captain, "Signal, have captain repair on board, once the rest of the convoy is up with us, Dutch."

"Aye, my lord."

"Bart!"

"Here, sir."

"Let's go on down and get out of the captain's way.

We're taking up space like gear adrift. It's not quite noon yet, but I think a glass of wine might be refreshing."

Bart muttered a reply, but Anthony didn't hear it due to the bosun yelling at some oaf for banging a bucket of water and spilling it on the deck.

"I'm sorry, Bart, what did you say?"

Looking somewhat sheepish, Bart answered, "Me said, it's bound to be noonish ’sumwheres."

Anthony was on Warrior's deck when SeaWolf took station just to windward of the flagship. Anthony immediately noticed the ship handling was not the smooth crisp seamanship Gabe normal y demonstrated.

Then, when he saw Lieutenant Hazard and Dagan being rowed over, he knew something terrible was wrong. He felt his chest tighten and became nauseated.

It was hard to catch his breath. Bart also knew something was amiss and his experienced eye picked out the various repairs that had been conducted on SeaWolf as a result of battle.

Moving up close, Bart touched Anthony's arm without being conspicuous. "Let's go below, sir, Cap'n Moffett can talk with Mr. Hazard. That way Dagan can come on downs to ’us uns."

Anthony felt half in a trance when he gave Moffett the order to keep Lieutenant Hazard occupied until he sent for him. Then he made his way to his cabin.

"He's alive, my Lord. I feel it in my bones…my soul. I don't want you to listen to Hazard, Lavery, or any of them," Dagan said addressing Anthony in his day cabin. "He may be hurt or a captive but he's alive."

Dagan had told the entire story as Anthony, Markham, Bart and Silas sat and listened without interruption, drinks untouched in their hands.

"This slave, you say you recognized him?"

"Aye," Dagan replied. "At first, I couldn't place him, but then it come to me. The man who let Commodore Gardner use his house at English Harbour."

"Mr. Montique?"

"Adam Montique," Markham added.

"Aye, that's him. It was his slave and I believe he was there on the beach. I didn't get a look at him because he was in the back of the group of men that had gathered, but I'm sure it was him. He kept saying Gabe was a goner but I felt different. I was torn between leaving the ship there and searching for Gabe or coming here to speak with you, then go back and fetch him home. I didn't want any trouble with Mr. Hazard. I knew you'd have enough troubles without me causing more by hurting the young lieutenant's feelings by jumping ship or disobeying his orders."

"So what do you plan?" Anthony asked.

"I'd like to go to Petersburg in Virginia. That's where my uncle is and I believe he can get me back to Port Royal."

"Why not take a ship?" Markham asked, not able to restrain himself.

"Anyone seeing the ship would know who we are and likely know what we were about before we could get close enough to do any good."

"Who do you want to take with you?" Anthony asked.

Dagan could see Bart and Markham were ready to go but said, "Caleb. He talks and sounds like a Colonial and he's known to some. If anyone else came it would only slow us down."

Then looking at Markham but addressing Anthony, Dagan said, "The prize we took, the Swan, Gabe was hoping you'd take her in and maybe give her to Mr. Markham."

"Did he?" Anthony said, unable to hide a smile even with the heaviness he felt over Gabe's disappearance.

Then turning to his flag lieutenant he said, "Well, Gabe's right, Frances. It's time you were given a ship. The choice is yours. You can have Swan or you can take command of SeaWolf. Understanding either is only temporary for now."

"I'll take Swan, sir. It was in Gabe's mind when he took her, that she'd be mine, so I feel she's the one I ought to have. Besides, sir, I wouldn't want to take away SeaWolf from Lieutenant Hazard." Anthony looked at Markham, "You wouldn't be.

He's too junior and inexperienced for command. If you take Swan, I'm going to put Steve Earl in temporary command of SeaWolf until we get Gabe back. Hopeful y, Earl will have his own command soon, but for now it's SeaWolf. Now, go pack your chest and make a list of anyone special you'd like to have. I'm not sure about a lieutenant but a senior midshipman and a good master's mate. Ask Mr. Oxford if you don't have anyone in mind."

"Only one, sir."

"Just one?" Anthony queried.

"Aye, my Lord. I'd like Mr. Davy if possible but no one else in particular."

"Very well, he's yours. Now on your way up pay my respects to Captain Moffett and have him and Lieutenant Hazard come down as soon as convenient."

"Silas."

"Aye, my Lord."

"Do you think you can round up Val y, Captain Moffett's clerk, and the two of you give us a legible set of orders."

"Aye, my Lord, we'll see to it, ’us'n will." While waiting on the clerks to draw up the orders for Lieutenant Markham and Lieutenant Earl, Anthony listened quietly as Lieutenant Hazard gave his report.