Michael Aye - HMS Seawolf

Without rocking the boat, Gabe stood up. He couldn't see a thing. The sun was coming up and that made it even more difficult. "You sure?"

For an answer Dagan just gave him a look. Dumb question, Gabe thought. It had been three nights and two days since they'd made their escape. This was the dawn of the third day. They had discussed putting in at Charlestown but it was agreed it would be safer for Gabe and Dagan to sail on toward Norfolk.

Hopeful y, they would meet up with Markham and the Swan. He was to have cruised these waters hoping for a rendezvous, but that would be a chance meeting only. The likelihood that the sail was British was good, but it could just as well be a Colonial ship.

However, after three days and nights in a small boat the wear on the girls was starting to show. The fair-skinned Erin in particular was showing the effect of

constant exposure to the sun and wind. If a meeting with a ship had not occurred by mid-day Gabe had already decided to put ashore. The winds had been light and at times almost nonexistent, but Gabe knew they had to have made enough progress to be off the coast of North Carolina.

After another fifteen minutes Dagan cal ed back,

"She's British and looks like a mail packet or dispatch ship."

Not wanting to be missed, Gabe had Rud fire off three shots. That should wake-up the buggers, he thought.

However, there had been no cause for concern.

The lookout on the mail packet, Parrot, had already cal ed down his sighting, "Sail ho! Dead ahead, boat load of naked women."

Lieutenant Farnsworth Dean of HMS Parrot was most accommodating, as was his only other officer and the entire ship's crew. It was not everyday you picked up a boat load of naked, well, near naked women. The lifetime dream of al sailors.

Dean listened intently as Gabe related his story.

When the Swan was mentioned, Dean related they had sighted Swan and talked with her commander two days ago. So they had in fact been keeping a sharp lookout.

Dean surprised Gabe by telling him he had been a midshipman under then Captain Gilbert Anthony on

HMS Recourse, and recounted their battle with Algerian pirates, "It was a hot time we had of it that day."

"Mr. Buck made me promise to take care, so he wouldn't have to send me home in halves. Ha! Ha! I hear he's a post captain now and Captain Anthony has raised his flag," Dean continued.

"Aye," Gabe said, realizing how much he missed his brother and his own ship, the SeaWolf. How he longed to be back in his cabin. He needed the ship to take his mind off Faith. It appeared Dagan's lady luck had finally changed. Not only changed but played a cruel trick as far as Gabe was concerned. He couldn't come to grips with the many thoughts that were running through his head. He could resign his commission and maybe that would change her mind. But no, he couldn't do that. He couldn't dishonor Gil or his father, no matter what.

Dean, seeing Gabe was lost in thought excused himself to give Gabe some much needed time alone.

Gabe didn't even realize Dean had gone on deck. It was the sound of music that brought Gabe out of his deep thought. A soft sound, a pleasant but a mournful sound.

As Gabe stood up to investigate the noise, he banged his head on an overhead beam. "Damn," he cried aloud without thinking. The lick caused tears to come to his eyes.

Dagan came in just as the incident happened,

"Clear your thoughts did you?"

"More like muddled them for good I'm thinking," Gabe replied still rubbing his head. "What's that sound?"

"It's Lum playing a lotz."

"Damned if he didn't pick a sad tune."

"To fit your mood?"

"Well, it doesn't miss it far. Dagan…I don't know what to do. There she was, as good as mine, happy, then her mood changed and like quicksilver she was gone. Can you guess why, Dagan? I've never asked for anything for me, but tell me…will she be there Dagan?

Will she be there when this is over?" Dagan sensed the pain in his nephew, knew he needed something to hold on to but he couldn't bring himself to make a promise that this war could change.

"I'll think on it Gabe, I don't have a true feeling right now, but I do know if the love is true, true like the Admiral's and Maria's, then only death can come between you."

After standing still a long silent moment, Gabe asked, "What's a lotz?"

Unable to hide his smile Dagan explained, "A lotz is a type of flute. Lum made it himself out of boxwood.

He said the first one he made was out of river reeds but this one's a touch more elaborate."

"It's a pretty sound, Dagan, but that was definitely a sad tune."

Dagan then looked directly at Gabe, "Could be Lum is missing someone too."

"Sail ho, bearing down amidships to the starboard, looks like the Swan, sir."

Dean had a tight ship and a sharp, experienced lookout; he cal ed down his sighting without having to be prompted for more information.

Hearing the sighting excited Gabe. Markham. He had missed his friend. The two had been very close ever since they had been midshipmen together.

It took another turn of the glass before Swan was alongside Parrot. Dean had bent on the signal "missing flock returned" so Markham had himself rowed over to Parrot. After much good-natured ribbing and back slapping Markham was introduced to the rest of the missing flock.

"Lieutenant Frances Markham, ladies, Captain of HMS Swan." As the girls were introduced, now more appropriately attired, Gabe caught Markham staring at Erin.

Well, he ain't dead, he thought, still not understanding the change in Caleb and his mannerisms where the women were concerned. Everyone made a big deal out of Kawliga and Jubal. Rud grunted a lot but wasn't that talkative. Lum was silent and seemed nervous about the attention he was being paid. Gabe made up his mind to talk with Lum first chance he had when the two could be alone.

It was decided Markham would take al of Gabe's party aboard Swan and head toward Nova Scotia and Lord Anthony. Parrot would return southward to Saint Augustine and then to the West Indies.

It was a happy and cheerful Mr. Davy that greeted Gabe, Dagan, Caleb and the rest of the group as they came aboard Swan. Once everything had been stowed Davy got the ship underway.

"Not a sniffling little snit anymore, is he?" Markham asked his friend.

"Nay," Gabe answered, "He's always been a brave one. He'll go far if he's not kill ed."

"Rud, where can we put you ashore?" Gabe and Markham had been discussing their human cargo. It didn't make sense to take them al the way to Nova Scotia. Therefore Rud was cal ed in for advice.

"Where are we now?" the soldier asked.

"Close to North Carolina," Markham replied.

"I'd be obliged if you could drop me off at Wilmington," Rud said. "I got kin there and after a visit I'll mosey on back down to Colonel Marion. You two share the same name," Rud said speaking to Markham.

"Him being Francis Marion and you being Frances Markham. Course you don't look alike, him being from South Carolina and you being a Britisher and such." Gabe could barely control his smile as a somewhat taken aback Frances Markham agreed to put a boat ashore off Wilmington circumstances permitting.

After Rud stood to leave he addressed Gabe, "If al Britishers were like you and Dagan I doubt we'd be warring. I'm obliged to have met you and was glad to have helped sprung you from your fix. Don't worry about your little lady; we'll keep our ears and eyes out for her. we'll also put out the word on Montique.

Maybe Colonel Marion will pay him a personal visit."

A stiff breeze was blowing when Gabe made his way on deck at dawn. Seeing him, Mr. Harrel, Swan's first lieutenant, nudged his captain.