Michael Aye: HMS Seawolf

"Deck there," the lookout called again, "She's a Jonothan, sir, and she's raised her colors and opened her starboard gun ports. She be a fourteen gunner, sir."

"Very well. Mr. Hazard, I want to keep a crew on the forward gun but it's the starboard guns I want manned."

"Mr. Blake," Gabe called to the master, "ease her a bit but be ready to put her helm down. I want to cross her stern and come up on her larboard side so be ready."

"Aye, Cap'n," the master nodded, beginning to understand what his master was about.

BOOM!…Druett had let loose with another shot and it landed just ahead of the chase,

drenching all those at the forward guns with its spray.

SeaWolf continued to overreach her prey. Her bow sliced the water as a strong wind caught her sails from dead astern and seemed to slingshot her forward, the wind fairly whistling through the shrouds. SeaWolf gained on the schooner at an alarming speed. Dagan was suddenly beside Gabe and said, "She's not handled well, is she," referring to the schooner. SeaWolf was now almost directly up with her prey. The deck vibrated as Druett let loose another round, this one striking the schooner about level with the foremast.

"Now, Mr. Blake," Gabe ordered, trying to shout above the wind. "Put your helm down Lively now. Hands to sheets. Reduce sail." SeaWolf heeled sharply as she crossed in the schooner's wake. Blake could just imagine the bowsprit up the schooners gallery.

"Steady," Gabe called, "Hold her."

Hazard and Blake looked at each other. If SeaWolf made it, it was a clever maneuver. If not, they'd have a new cap'n very soon. The admiralty didn't take kindly to new captains ramming their ships bowsprit up another ship's arse-hole.

SeaWolf’s rudder bit into water and she began to swing just as Gabe had planned. Crossing the schooner's wake caused SeaWolf to suddenly list larboard as her gunwales dipped into the trough. A large wave broke over the bow as they broke

through the water. Water sluiced down the length of SeaWolf’s scuppers and hands had to grab hold of something to keep from falling.

"That's it, ease her up now, ease up, full and by.

Open your starboard gun ports."

Damn, thought Hazard. They'd crossed the schooner's stern with no more than a chain's length to spare. Hazard's knuckles had turned white from gripping a stay. Now that the maneuver was over he felt dumbfounded and grateful they hadn't capsized. He seemed numb. He'd never seen a ship handled so.

"Think he's crazy, don't you?"

Hazard looked at Nathan Lavery, the second and only other lieutenant on board. Without waiting for Hazard to answer Lavery added, "Better get used to it. He's not squeamish." The roar of SeaWolf’s cannons startled Hazard.

Still somewhat numb and temporarily in thought of Lavery's words he was caught unaware when Gabe gave the order to fire. Smoke engulfed the ship momentarily till the wind carried it forward.

Thank God Druett has got his wits about him, Hazard thought, cause I'm making a poor showing.

"Fire! That's it, lads, fire! Let them Jonathans feel ole SeaWolfy's fangs. That's it, now put your backs into it. Swab out. Swab out you buggers." BOOM!…BOOM!…BOOM!…

SeaWolf’s six pounders roared again-gun drill had paid off. The gun crews were like a well oiled machine.

"Once more now lads, on the up roll fire!"

"Cease fire, cease firing," Gabe bellowed, countermanding his orders from just a breath before. "Cease firing, they've surrendered." The schooner had struck. A white flag, a shirt tied by the sleeves to a gaff hook was being waved.

"She never recovered from your ruse, cap'n," Lavery addressed Gabe. "She was ready starboard, but never got a gun in action to larboard. She never fired a shot."

Gabe looked at Dagan. He knew, Gabe thought, recalling Dagan's words, "she's poorly handled." Gabe didn't feel as joyous as he had a moment earlier.

"Do we send the boat over sir, or do we close and grapple?" Hazard was asking.

"I'll take a boat with the surgeon I think, Mr. Hazard, and have Mr. Davy along with the bosun and a few marines come as well".

"Aye, cap'n."

"Dagan, let's go see to our prize."

SeaWolf’s broadside had caused much damage aboard the Colonial schooner, Linda Lee. Spars

were down, cordage and riggings were severed and strewn. Several cannons were upturned. Bodies lay about. However to seasoned veterans like Mr. Davy and Graf, the bosun, the casualties seemed remarkably few upon first glance. Gabe, along with Dagan, boarded the beaten ship. A youth met them. He still held the gaff with its improvised flag of truce.

"Where are your officers, sir?" Gabe asked.

"Dead. They were trying to help man the larboard guns when you fired your salvo."

Looking about the deck Gabe could see ten or twelve bodies. Another dozen or so of the crew were miling about.

"Where's the rest of your crew?"

"Cap'n Crawford put most of them on prizes and they sailed on to Cuba."

"Where?" Gabe asked.

Realizing he may have given something away the youth became defiant. "None of your business you British bastard."

Davy took a sudden step forward. "Watch your tongue with my cap'n or you'll answer to me."

"That's enough," Gabe spoke to his loyal midshipman. "I'm sure the young gentleman meant no harm."

At that the youth spat on the deck. Mr. Davy lunged for the boy only to be stopped by Dagan, who looked dead in the privateering youth's eyes.

"There will be no more. Do we understand one another?"

The youth looked at the cold black eyes that seemed to penetrate into his soul. He could feel the hand of the man who had spoken on his shoulder and suddenly he knew not to push his luck.

"How old are you, boy?" Gabe was speaking again.

"Fifteen sir. Well almost fifteen."

"What's your name, son?"

"Andrew."

"Caleb, will you take Andrew back with you when you're finished here?"

"It will be my pleasure, Gabe. I'm sure he'd like to meet Mr. Jewell s."

Mr. Jewell s was Caleb's ape. Only a few knew his name was a reflection on part of his anatomy and not his disposition.

"Dagan, let's have a look at the captain's cabin.

Mr. Graf, send a party through the ship checking for damage and anything which may be of interest. Lt. Baugen, put a sentry on the rum stores. I'm sure there's some about, then have the prisoners searched for weapons, then get them in the hole."

"Aye, cap'n, we'll take care of it," Baugen replied.

Then turning to his men, "Marines, do your duty as the cap'n has ordered."

"Mr. Davy?"

"Yes sir, cap'n."

"Signal for Mr. Hazard to join me on the prize."

"Aye, aye sir."

"Sail ho! Fine on the larboard bow," the lookout cal ed down his sighting.

Lavery approached the master and Dagan.

"Two in one day?" The master raised his thick bushy eyebrows, ’If the Lord giveth, who are we to question his bounty?"

"Deck there, she's the Badger, sir. I've seen her in Barbados afore."

"Frances Fewghay of His Majesty's armed brig, Badger, the captain introduced himself to Gabe as he came aboard SeaWolf. "I'm part of Vice Admiral Gayton's squadron.

I'm on the way to Barbados by way of Port Royal, Jamaica.

As Dawkins served the of icers a glass of wine, Fewghay asked, "Have you heard Admiral Lord Howe is now in command of the North American Naval Forces. Admiral Shuldham has returned to England."

"What about Admiral Graves?" Gabe asked.

"He's going back as well, but word is he'll return after refit and overhaul."

Touching Gabe's arm Fewghay almost whispered,

"Rumor is Admiral Gayton is not well and will likely by returning to England soon also." Gabe wondered if Gayton was il or just didn't look forward to the trying times ahead.