Michael Aye - HMS Seawolf

At some point he turned lose of the burning corpse that seconds before had been a man. Then down, down he plunged into the muddy darkness of the trough where the remains of Turtle fill ed the sky with fiery orange debris.

Gabe wiped his face with a grubby sleeve. He smell ed the marsh. He could not yet see about him so it

was still early but he knew his prison was close to the marsh. He could smell it and it brought back memories of his childhood. His father would take him hunting wildfowl on the marshes that lay along the Thames. It was one of the few times Father had seemed completely relaxed. He was just Father on the hunting trips, not Admiral Lord James Anthony. It had been the two of them…Dagan, and his father's servant.

Memories…A shackled prisoner…would he live long enough to have further memories? He would like to have a life full of memories built around Faith. He suddenly realized he was deeply in love. He'd like to share life with Faith. She could bare him a son and he could take his son hunting in the marshes as his own father had done.

"Shh…," Rud held his fingers to his lips. The group of men was in a thicket just off the main road.

Limbs from the great oaks hung low; some even touched the ground. Moss hung from the limbs and old acorns crunched under their feet as they made their way as silently as possible.

At Rud's warning, they had squatted down to be even less visible. A coach was approaching on the road.

The sound of the horses' hooves on the road was clearer and then rounding a slight bend, the coach was visible.

Two men sat on top, a driver and a servant both dressed in red livery. As the coach passed a great crest

was emblazoned on the door and with the window shade up a man could be seen.

"Montique," Dagan hissed, "I knew it would be him."

"That's the devil himself is it?" Rud asked.

"Aye, that's him. Well, maybe things will go better with him away."

Light flooded the room as the door was opened.

Two men stepped in, one with a musket and one with a plate of food and a cup of water.

"You's hungree?" the man carrying the food asked as he set it down on the floor. "I don't know why we bother to feed ye anyhow. You're a dead man soon as Mr. Montique returns."

"Mister Montique say' iffen he see's Captain Crawford he's gona tell him he's got the man what took

’is ship and got his young'n in a British jail. It could be Captain Crawford might pay to put his hand on ya.

Might use ya to barter foh his kid or he might jus kill you his ownself."

Then laughing the two turned to leave. Wanting to get a better look at his surroundings Gabe cal ed out, "I have to go."

"What?" the man with the musket cal ed.

"I have to go," Gabe repeated. "Nature cal s."

"Well shit in your pants then sit in it," the other man replied cruel y.

"If I do I'm sure it will be you who has to clean up after I'm dead."

The man holding the rifle snickered, his rotten teeth showing. "He's right, Luther. Smith will sure put you to cleaning up the mess."

"Ah right! Hold that gun on him and if he so much as flinches you part his hair with a bull et right where that gray streak be."

Outside Gabe could see he was being kept in a warehouse that indeed was almost at the river's edge.

He could see a boardwalk and what appeared to be a dock. That was probably where stolen goods were brought in and out. Attached to the side of the warehouse was a smaller building. Bars fill ed the windows and young ladies peered out as he passed.

Luther saw him looking and snatched on his chain causing Gabe to stumble.

Laughing at Gabe, Luther said, "Lookers ain't they?

To bad you can't have any but if you beg I'll ask Smith if he'll let you watch as we has our pleasure. That will be just afore Mr. Montique takes his pleasure in kill 'n you."

Look as he may Gabe could find nothing that would aid in his escape. He'd hoped to get a glimpse of Faith but that was not to be. Once back in the warehouse the sun was starting to shine through high windows and cracks between the wall boards. The warehouse was full. Barrels labelled rum were stacked

against the rear wall to one side and several cannons fill ed the other side.

Boxes labelled muskets were stacked as high as a man's head. There were also boxes labelled shoes, shirts, blankets, and britches. Powder kegs were stacked, more boxes labelled bullets, buckshot, nails and one small box labelled stockings. Sail canvas was stacked, and down the middle, ship's spars were stored.

Turning, Gabe focused on top of the barrel next to him, a lanthorn. Luther had been careless and left the lanthorn he'd used to see with when he unlocked Gabe's chain. It was sitting on a barrel. It was no longer lit but it was there. If he couldn't escape Gabe thought at least he might be able to light the lanthorn and destroy the warehouse. At least he'd die with the knowledge Montique wouldn't be able to use his ill -gotten goods.

Gabe slumped down against the wall feeling the rough wall scratch at his back as he did so. The pain suddenly made him feel desolate. In his despair he hung his head. Dagan, where are you? Gil, Faith, Dagan.

They al fill ed his mind and for the first time in a long time Gabe found himself reciting the Lord's Prayer.

Rud, Dagan, and the group arrived at the plantation just before dusk, skirting their way through an oak thicket trying to keep out of everyone's sight including the slaves. As they stopped at the last line of oaks before a large clearing they were able to take in

most of the plantation. A row of shotgun houses built close together were obviously the slave quarters.

The glow of candles was noted in a few open windows. It was easy to pick out the stables, a foundry indicated the blacksmith shop and another outbuilding looked like a sawmil. As darkness overtook the dusk the woods seem to come alive. Lightening bugs flashed their momentary glow, and mosquitoes buzzed about.

It seemed al the insects decided to sing at once.

Next to the slave quarters a loud shout sounded and then a dog howled mournful y, followed by half a dozen more dogs starting to howl. At this point, someone stamped hard on the porch and another shout, and then a sudden yelp and the dogs were quiet.

"Smell the marsh?" Jubal asked.

"Aye lad, you couldn't miss it," Dagan answered.

"Look there," Rud was pointing to a large building.

One man was holding a lanthorn in one hand and a gun in the other. Another man was unlocking a door.

Dagan suddenly rose from where he had been crouching and took a half step out of the shadows.

"Gabe is there," he spoke to no one in particular.

Kawliga moved up next to Dagan. "Man there, colonneh?"

"Aye," Dagan answered and turned back toward the thicket only to come to a dead stop as Kawliga whispered, "Women too."

"Women?" Dagan was surprised and turned back toward the buildings. Sure enough, after listening

closely voices were heard and then in the lamplight a woman appeared looking out between the bars of the jail. Then gazing further he could see a woman and a black man, probably a slave, coming down the steps of the plantation house. Stepping back into the thicket, he passed on his and Kawliga's findings.

"Rud, I gave my word to Colonel Marion not to spy and only protect myself as needed. Now it looks like it's time for a bit of action. I came to get Gabe, but it looks like Montique is more than a pirate. It appears he's a slaver as well, black and white. If you wish to go back now give my respects to the colonel. If you stay…well things could get bloody."

Without hesitating Rud answered, "I'll stay. I don't like no white women being mistreated."