Michael Aye - HMS Seawolf

Markham, looking at Gabe, said, "I thought you might ’sleep in' this morning."

"No," Gabe replied. "Old habits die hard." Instantly Markham knew Gabe longed for his ship.

Was it always so? A woman, a ship, but always a longing.

"The master says the winds will die some at first light. He expects a sunny day but relates it will get colder as we continue northward."

"Not like those warm days at Antigua is it, my friend?" Gabe asked.

"Nay, but that's in the past, Gabe, it's best to think on today."

At six bel s the bosun piped up hammocks. After the men rolled their hammocks, they were sent to wash and scrub the weather decks with holystones, then flog

them dry. Most of the men had a substantial appetite by the time the cook and his mates had the gal ey fires lit and breakfast was piped.

Markham had never been a fast eater and felt the men should have time to enjoy their meals so he allowed one glass for breakfast. Thirty minutes was more than enough time for most men to eat their oatmeal gruel and still have time for a chew or bowl of tobacco.

"Sail ho! Two sails off the larboard beam."

"Damn early for company is it not, Mr. Davy?"

"Aye, Mr. Harrel, that it is. Should I inform the captain, sir?"

"I'm sure he heard the hail, but we'll follow protocol. My compliments to the captain and there's two strange sails off the larboard beam."

"No need, Mr. Harrel, I'm here."

"Aye, sir."

"Anything further?"

"Not yet, sir."

"Mr. Davy, be so kind as to take a glass aloft. It appears our man aloft doesn't have as good a set of peepers as Quinn did yesterday," Markham ordered.

"Aye, sir. I'll report right away," Davy replied, and then clambered up the shrouds, shunning the lubbers hole as he gained the lookout's platform.

"Deck there," Davy shouted. "Two schooners, sir."

"He didn't waste any time, did he?" Lieutenant Harrel commented.

"Experience, Mr. Harrel, experience. I trained,

’ere…Lieutenant Anthony and I trained that boy ourselves," Markham corrected himself as he noticed Gabe's gaze upon him.

"Deck there," Davy cal ed down again, "Appears to be two Colonials, sir."

"Well, that puts paid in putting a boat ashore," Markham replied.

However, something Rud had said gave Gabe something to consider. But this was Markham 's ship, not his, so they'd have to discuss it.

"Captain Markham?"

The official use of his title caused Markham to turn toward his friend, "Yes?"

"May I have a word with you, please?"

"Now?

"Aye, sir."

"Very well. Mr. Harrel, keep a close look out." Markham ordered as he strode aft to confer with Gabe.

"Damme sir, but have you been in the sun too long?

Has your brain been completely fried?" Markham asked after hearing Gabe's plan.

" Listen, Frances, it's a way to get our passengers ashore and put out the word on Montique at the same time."

"Playing the devil's advocate," Markham asked,

"What makes you so sure they'll act as you suppose?"

"Come on, Frances, wouldn't you at least initially honor a flag of truce?"

"Gabe, how is it I know you're scheming when you use my first name?"

"I don't know."

"Because you do it every time. Sure as hell when there's a chance to end up arsehole over elbows you always use Frances. Come on Frances, there's nothing to it Frances. Well, let me tell you something, Mr. Gabriel Anthony, if there's a court martial and we wind up on the beach you have just acquired another mouth to feed."

Surprised, Gabe exclaimed, "You'll do it? That's my Frances." To which Markham rolled his eyes and shook his head and groaned, "Ohh…h"

Back on deck, Markham cal ed Mr. Harrel, " Bend on a flag of truce. Mr. Davy, get ready to launch a long boat. Lieutenant Anthony is going on a rowing expedition."

Both Harrel and Davy looked shocked, but both turned to do their bidding without question. Markham then turned to the bosun, "Reduce sail." Mr. Harrel then reported, "Flag on truce bent on as ordered, sir."

"Very well, Mr. Harrel, now have one of the starboard cannons fired. Unshotted, Mr. Harrel, without shot."

By the time the cannon had been fired hoping to attract attention to the flag of truce, Gabe and Rud were getting into the longboat with Erin in company.

As the three made their way from the ship, Markham felt a sense of regret. Erin as well as the rest of the ladies had dined with him and Gabe, but for some reason he hated to see that one go.

Before reaching the larger of the two schooners, Gabe had noted a boat had put out from the smaller ship and apparently her captain had been rowed across.

Both schooners were sleek, nimble well -handled vessels. Their captains knew their business no doubt and Gabe couldn't help but think they'd present a tough pair in a battle. There was no doubt the two would wreak havoc on British shipping and make a nice profit for themselves as privateers.

"Permission to come aboard," Gabe cal ed out as his boat bumped into the hull of the larger ship. As Gabe climbed the ladder he heard a thud and a splash.

Rud had misjudged his step and now his left leg dangled in the cold Atlantic.

"Better have the lady wait on a bosun's chair," was cal ed down from above. Gabe made his way through the entry port onto the deck, and then turned to lend Rud a hand before introducing himself. He had borrowed clothes from Markham, so at least he was presentable this time, he thought, recalling the slaves clothing he'd been wearing when he tried to introduce himself to Montique.

"Lieutenant Gabriel Anthony," Gabe said, introducing himself before allowing the ship's captain to question him. "This is Mr. Rud. He's part of Colonel Francis Marion's South Carolina brigade, and the lady is Miss Erin Lancaster from Boston."

The two captains then introduced themselves. I'm Captain Jack Cunningham and welcome aboard the Norfolk Gold. This is Captain Malachi Mundy and that's his Willing Maid you see there. We are out of the tidewater area."

Gabe noticed he hadn't been specific as to exactly where.

"Now what do we have of such importance that a Navy Lieutenant is willing to surrender, shots unfired."

"Truce sir, not surrender, just a momentary truce that I feel will be most beneficial for both of us, should you allow me but a quarter hour of your time." It was a full hour before Gabe, Captains Cunningham and Mundy, Rud and Erin returned on deck. Gabe had told his story in full then stepped aside as Rud and then Erin had both been questioned. She had brought out something that Gabe had forgotten to

mention. Not only were Cunningham and Mundy from Tidewater but so were the rest of the ladies. Erin had been the only one from a different area. These bits of information seem to make the two privateer captains more determined to lend a hand.

"We'll send this one home," Cunningham said as he put his hand across Rud's shoulder, "And we'll make sure the women are cared for and protected until they can be reunited with their families."

"We'll also put out the word on Montique," Mundy volunteered. "A treacherous soul that one and one to watch if I'm any kind of judge. You be careful, Lieutenant Anthony. That man will soon be ruined, both his reputation and finances. A man like that will hold a grudge and try to hurt you any way possible even if it's with your missy that went to Savannah." This thought gave Gabe a chill.

As Gabe made his way over the side, Captain Mundy spoke again, "I hope the Willing Maid and your SeaWolf never come to blows. You're a honorable man and I like you."

"Aye," Cunningham chimed in, "We'd not like to battle you, but we will if we must."

As the girls were being loaded into the longboats, Gabe talked with Lum. "Rud says you can go with him and Colonel Marion will make you free after the war.