Michael Aye - HMS Seawolf

"That's it boys give them another round," Lavery cal ed out. A cheer came from the gun crews, the schooner had been hit hard…so hard she was dead in the water. The marine's sharpshooters continued to fire at human targets. Then they were past the enemy and in the clear.

Without hesitating, Gabe cal ed out, "Prepare to go about."

Dagan appeared at his side, "Mr. Hazard has been hit, sir, hit hard. He may lose his arm if not more."

"Is he below yet?" Gabe asked.

"Aye, just after we passed through the line."

"Very well. Mr. Lavery!"

"Aye, cap'n"

"You have the deck. Have the ship put about."

"Aye, aye cap'n."

"Dagan, you will take Mr. Hazard's place with the starboard section." Dagan nodded and Gabe went below.

Caleb already had the arm removed by the time he got there. Seeing Gabe, Caleb shook his head, "He's unconscious and maybe he'll stay that way for a while. I took his left arm off without complications but he has a splinter in his thorax that I can't remove. He needs to be on land to have his chest cut open. Even then there's no guarantee. It might be better if he died now…without suffering."

Nodding his understanding, Gabe turned to leave then paused, "Keep him comfortable, Caleb. Losing him will be a loss I can ill afford."

Back on deck Gabe was surprised at the powder and smoke smudged faces of his crew. They had come about and were now overtaking a couple of the privateers. The one privateer SeaWolf’s gunners had fired on was down in the stern and he could see several boats in the water around the sinking ship.

Swan had just come about and though she was scarred she seemed to be sailing well as was the Pigeon.

Earl had been faster and had already come about and now was dead head off the larboard bow.

"Deck there! The frigate has come about and so has the largest of the schooners, sir. So ’as the brig, sir.

Now the second schooner ’as come about as well."

"A final meeting!"

"Sir?"

Again Gabe had spoken his thoughts aloud without realizing it. "I said one final meeting, Mr. Lavery. At least I hope we succeed with this round."

"Aye, cap'n, I hope so as well. Ah…how was Mr. Hazard, sir?"

"He's alive…the surgeon says it will be touch and go…"

"Kind of like the fix we're about to be in, isn't it cap'n, touch and go."

BOOM!…BOOM!…

"There goes the frigate and Captain Earl again."

"Right you are, Mr. Lavery, now back to your station."

"Aye, aye, cap'n."

"Mr. Blake."

"I'm sorry, sir," a master's mate replied, "I'm afraid he's done for!

"Done for? When?" a shocked Gabe inquired.

"When the frigate let loose, sir."

"Damme, " Gabe thought, "I didn't even realize it." Then turning to Evans, the master's mate, he ordered,

"You have control of the wheel. Follow my orders."

"Aye, sir."

"I must speak with the bosun and carpenter," Gabe thought, "I fear I may not have time directly."

"Mostly its betwixed wind and water, sir, more in the riggings and the upper decks," Dover, the carpenter reported. "No more water in the well than usual." Then Graf reported, "Dagan got a party together and we's got two of the guns back into their carriages so they be back ready for action."

"Are they stable enough?" Gabe asked.

"Aye, cap'n, ’jus ’lak a newborn in ’s modder's cradle." There was another swooshing sound overhead as the enemy renewed their assault. "Very well men, let's be about it," Gabe said dismissing the bosun and the carpenter. Glancing over, Gabe saw Lum. He seemed to be taking it al in, and then Gabe realized his breeches were smeared with gunpowder stains, as was his face and hands. Only it wasn't as noticeable due to Lum's black color. He had been involved in fighting the ship and I didn't even notice Gabe thought. Then he wondered what Faith would say if she could see him now.

As the SeaWolf continued to approach the enemy schooner the lookout cal ed down, "The frigate and the brig be ’tacking Cap'n Earl, sir."

"Damn," Gabe thought. He looked and Swan had her own troubles. At least, Pigeon was almost up with her and could help. "Evans, prepare to put your helm down when I order. Dagan! I want every gun loaded, with double shot."

"Aye," Dagan replied.

"Mr. Lavery, I want your section loaded with bal and canister."

"Aye, cap'n."

As the two ships converged, Gabe looked up. The wind was holding…this never predictable and always perverse wind was holding. "Dagan's lady luck," Gabe thought as subconsciously his hand went to the pouch around his neck. The now empty pouch. "Please God…be with her," Gabe prayed silently then turned his attention back to the battle.

Looking forward, Gabe scratched his jaw and eyed the oncoming schooner. If he timed it right one by one every gun on the larboard side would get a chance to

"bloody her nose." If he mistimed it the schooner would ram them. Looking aloft the commission pennant's tail stood out like it was pointing the way.

"Now, Evans, put your helm down now!" It took a moment for the rudder to bit and that moment seemed forever then SeaWolf responded. Now

instead of passing side by side, they were crossing the bow of the schooner.

"As you bear Mr. Lavery, fire as you bear. Rake her good."

Gun after gun gave a bel owing roar. White smoke engulfed the ship and Gabe was temporarily blinded.

However, the smoke was quickly swept away. It was sickening to see what was left of the once proud schooner.

"Up helm, up helm, Evans. Dagan, be ready."

"No need, sir," this from Lavery. As Gabe looked up he saw the reason for Lavery's comment.

The schooner was on fire, flames were now shooting up her sails. People were diving into the frigid waters. Every captain's nightmare, a fire at sea.

"Dagan, see if any of the boats are still in tow and set them adrift as we pass."

"Your not going to heave to?" Evans asked.

Pointing forward with his sword, Gabe asked,

"Would you have me leave Captain Earl without assistance while we pick up enemy survivors?"

"Nay, cap'n, my apologies, my mind was adrift with the sight before me, I'm afraid."

"Mr. Druett," Gabe cal ed his gunner.

"Aye, cap'n."

"Do you think your aim is good enough to hit yonder brig and not Le Frelon?"

"Aye, cap'n, when in range I can knock a flea off a cat's arse without singeing ’is ’airs if ’ye'd like for me to."

"Nothing so precise Mr. Druett, I just want to lay a few rounds about her deck."

"Aye, cap'n. ’Bout ’er deck it'll be." Any moment now, Gabe was thinking when the forward gun fired. He quickly stood on the bulwark to see if he could tell where the bal landed. He was not quick enough to see the exact spot but he did see shattered planking flying into the air.

Druett was true to his word, and then the gun fired again. This time there was no need to guess, the jubilant gun crew was jumping up and down cheering, their teeth appearing unusual y white with powder blackened faces.

"Easy lads, easy now, let's give them another with the cap'n's compliments."

"Another hit by Gawd," Evans swore! "Damme, if Druett don't know his business, sir."

"Look sir," someone forward cal ed. Through the smoke Gabe could see the brig's mast was leaning dangerously.

"Surprised we haven't been fired on." Dagan said as he made his way to Gabe.

"I'm sure they used al the crew to board Le Frelon. I just hope we're not too late to help Earl. Alter course,

Evans, bring us along side the brig. Mr. Graf, let's take in another sail."

Suddenly there was a puff of smoke from the brig and Gabe felt SeaWolf shudder. That had been a hard hit. He was about to cal out to Druett when one of the forward guns fired, followed quickly by the other. The gunner had loaded both guns and after firing one, sighted and fired the second.