Michael Aye - HMS Seawolf

Some thought him daff but he was so positive I figured he knew something the rest of us didn't."

"Aye," Markham replied, "he knew Dagan and if Dagan say's it, you can count on it."

It was a joyous greeting that Gabe and Markham found waiting on them as they glided into the harbour of Halifax. Not only were Gabe and Markham

returning, but they were returning with a French corvette as a prize. The Pigeon had made al sail and alerted everyone to their soon arrival.

"The admiral is sure pacing," Lieutenant Herrod remarked to Captain Moffett.

"Aye, that he is," Moffett replied. "He said al along Gabe was alive, but I can't help but believe there was a nagging doubt. I'm glad for him. He sets some store in young Gabe. More like a son than a brother."

"There's Bart, captain, I can just imagine his words,

’know'd ’e were alive; 'I's jus know'd it." Herrod had Bart down pat. His mimicking the admiral's cox'n made Moffett chuckle.

"I-ha! ha!-don't think I'd let Bart hear you, Mr. Herrod-ha! ha!-not if you plan on staying around long enough to make captain.

As the Swan crept closer her battle wounds were obvious. A gaping void in her bulwark had not been replaced, nor were the scars in her mast that still had pieces of iron imbedded in it. The damaged rigging had been replaced and the "new" stood out in contrast to the older, more seasoned rigging. The decks had been washed down well after the battle, the water had poured thick and bloody as it ran down the scuppers. Now it would be hard for a person to full y comprehend the fierceness of the battle.

But some knew and that was why the harbour was lined, not only with Lord Anthony's ships, but also with every type of boat imaginable-al shouting, cheering, huzza…huzza. As Gabe stood on the corvette's

quarterdeck he caught a glimpse of his brother, standing tall and rigid then off came his hat in a bow…a salute.

The reception the returning ships were getting caused Gabe to think of Antigua and how the islanders cheered when time after time Lord Anthony would return with one or more prizes. A sudden chilling wind caused a sail to pop and made Gabe think the cheering was the only thing similar to Antigua as he pull ed his cloak closer. The damn weather certainly was not similar.

Bart had the admiral's barge crewed and on their way before Gabe had dropped anchor. "Let's do it up proper like," an excited Bart had urged Lord Anthony.

"Make'um feel like they's dig-na-terries being picked up in the admiral's own barge. Then when the fuss is al over…me and Silas will cut out ’is gizzard for scaring the life outta us'ns so."

Bart's sentiment mirrored his own Lord Anthony thought but it was hard to fill ill toward Gabe when he had been trying to do his duty. Turning toward the companionway, Lord Anthony spoke with the flag captain, "I'll be in my quarters, Dutch. You can escort our wayward young officer down after you're finished on deck. He seems to have picked up someone along the way so make him comfortable until I send for him."

"Aye, my lord." Dutch had also noticed the tall black man Gabe seemed to be pointing out things of interest to.

Suddenly a very loud cheer went up accented with musket fire. Lord Anthony paused and turning back to Dutch questioned, "SeaWolf?"

"Aye, my Lord, their captain is back."

"I hope Earl won't take offense."

"Nay, my Lord. He and Gabe are close and from al appearances Gabe and Markham may have brought a ship for him."

Smiling Anthony chided, "You'd promote Earl over your own first lieutenant, Dutch?"

"Nay, my Lord, not I, but you."

With a smile on his lips Lord Anthony made his way to his quarters. Not even the stamp of the marine sentry stirred his ire. "Silas, Silas damn your slow soul I want…"

"It's already done, sir. I's sent for your best wine, we's cutting up some cheese and setting out some bread and opening some preserves. It'll be just right for young Gabe, my Lord, and that's no error."

After greeting Gabe and Markham on deck, Captain Moffett had his cox'n take Lum in tow. Dagan and Bart made their own way which was likely to end up in the admiral's pantry, Dutch thought. Then eyeing the bulging canvas dispatch pouch Markham was carrying he led the two down to the great cabin.

"Flag cap'n, suh," The marine sentry barked out then stood aside to let the officers enter, careful not to be obvious, but eyeing Gabe to get a better feel for this man who caused such a stir. The gray streak in Gabe's hair caught the man's eye causing him to take a deep breath.

"Something wrong?" Gabe asked.

"No sir, just a vapor sir," the sentry lied and was glad the officers took no more notice.

Entering the cabin, Gabe had forgotten how large it was. Compared to SeaWolf’s tiny cabin it was enormous. It was furnished as befitted an admiral.

Lady Deborah had seen to that. Around the cabin in a semi-circle were half a dozen leather covered armchairs of emerald green. A mahogany wine cooler was in the corner and a sideboard rack held at least a dozen cut glass decanters fill ed with different shades of liquid.

Another rack held two swords; one had been Admiral Lord James Anthony's. Seeing his brother's gaze, Gil walked up to Gabe and putting an arm around his shoulder said, "It'll be yours one day." The two brothers hugged, then stepping back and clapping Gabe's shoulder Gil whispered, "We'll talk later." Then, switching from the role of concerned brother to that of concerned admiral, Lord Anthony spoke out,

"Well, captain, it's time we got down to business, is it not?"

"Aye, my Lord," Dutch answered, not fooled by his admiral's stiffness. "It appears we can't let the two of them out of our sight without them stealing a ship off some poor soul."

Glancing up as the group took seats in the leather armchairs, Lord Anthony saw Dagan and Bart enter the pantry where Silas waited. "No doubt Dagan's report to Bart as they enjoyed a wet would be more enlightening than what he'd get in writ en reports. Oh well, Bart would fill him in later."

Lord Anthony listened closely as Gabe explained in detail about the convoy that had been placed in his charge. He told how resistant the Turtle's captain had been to obeying procedures and orders. Gabe explained why he believed that Turtle's commander had been a traitor and had in fact proven himself to be a traitor when Gabe had caught him red-handed unloading gunpowder for the rebels. "Gunpowder the British Navy and its army needed badly." Lord Anthony didn't fail to notice the changes in Gabe's voice and demeanor as he told of the beautiful girl, who along with her nanny and Lum had rescued him and nursed him back to health, only to be imprisoned by another traitorous son of a bitch. Adam Montique, a traitor to both sides.

"You will recall, sir," Gabe spoke to Admiral Anthony, "Mr. Montique was a very wealthy ship owner and planter in Antigua. It was he that loaned Commodore Gardner his home while he was the dockyard commissioner."

"As you suspected, sir," Gabe again addressed his brother specifically, "Someone was getting word to the pirates…it was Montique. He had several government contracts and with his frequent dealings with Commodore Gardner was able to keep the pirates well informed."

"You don't think Gardner was involved do you?" an unbelieving Captain Moffett asked.

"No sir," Gabe replied, "After being clubbed by one of Montique's men I was dragged to a warehouse and chained. Pretending to still be unconscious I listened while Montique bragged about how simple and stupid Gardner was…ah…No offense to the commodore, sir."

"None taken," Admiral Anthony replied. "Please continue."

"Aye, sir," Montique laughed at how trusting Gardner was. He talked Gardner into using his home stating it was better off being lived in; that way it was kept up. He stated his house was usual y empty and at any rate when he was in Antigua he could stay in one of the guest rooms. That way he would still have accommodations when needed and Greta would have a comfortable place to live as long as Gardner was dockyard commissioner. If a contract came open what would it hurt for Montique to know about it? Gardner was persuaded and the rest is history."