Michael Aye - HMS Seawolf

"Morning, sir." Lavery had the watch. "Looks like we're in for a blow. I hope we don't lose any of our cows." Lavery took particular delight into referring to the merchantmen thusly.

"We're in for a gale, sure enough," the master confirmed. "Not unusual when the warm Caribbean waters and the cold Atlantic waters come together at this time of year. We're in for rain and maybe some hail.

The wind is from the east heading west-nor-west. I'd keep the sails reduced, sir, or we may find ourselves on a lee shore before we know it."

The rains came quickly and in sheets, then with the wind picking up the temperature dropped and then the rain became sleet. Desiring to look at the compass, Gabe and the master half-walked and half-slid across the deck to the binnacle.

"Damned if I ain't half-blinded," the master complained. Gabe had Hazard change the men on deck every half-hour. With no fire it wasn't much better below deck but at least the crew was out of the wind and rain.

"No cause to be anxious yet, Cap'n, but it wouldn't hurt my feelings none if we was to change our course a point or two to the North."

"I was thinking the same thing," Gabe replied, "But we can barely see the next ship in line and I'm sure their captain would never see a change of course signal."

"Maybe we could fire a gun, sir," Lavery volunteered.

"Think they'd hear it in this wind?" Gabe said.

"No, we'll stay on course, but if by the first dog watch the weather hasn't moderated we'll have to do something."

"Aye, cap'n," the master answered as he wiped sleet from his face. "I think I'll take another look at my charts."

The sleet did stop and the wind died down to a moderate breeze. "Not a moment to soon for my

liking," Blake declared. "Another hour and I doubt we could've beaten our way off a lee shore."

Gabe looked at the master. His kind always seemed to be overly cautious but a prudent captain always listened to his master. Lieutenant Hazard had the glass to his eye. "I see Wild Goose and two of the convoy but the rest are no where to be seen, including the Turtle and the Lancaster.

"Should we send up a flare, sir?" This from Lieutenant Lavery. "Maybe they'll see that." A flare every ten minutes had been agreed upon for situations like this, but Gabe was hesitant.

"Mr. Davy."

"Aye, cap'n."

"Go aloft with a glass and see what you can, including land. We have a few minutes of daylight left so perhaps you'll spot something."

Without speaking, Gabe looked at Dagan who nodded, "I'll go skylarking with you Mr. Davy, but mind you, I'm too old to go racing through the ratlines like Caleb's ape." This brought a smile to the little group.

Gabe's father, Vice Admiral Anthony, had always said, "Dagan's got the best peepers I ever did see." Well, hopeful y he could pick up something now.

When the two got back on deck, Dagan let Mr. Davy make his report. "Two sails dead astern, sir, and I think the brig is abeam on the weather side. That's in addition to Wild Goose and the troop ships we can see from deck."

"So one of our eggs is missing, a turtle egg. I shouldn't wonder," Gabe said aloud, and then asked, "What about land?"

Mr. Davy looked to Dagan who answered, "Nothing for sure but by the way the clouds appear I'd say we're close. I also think Turtle is dead ahead by ten miles or so."

Gabe had the feeling that there was more but didn't push it. "Better send up flares, Mr. Hazard."

"Aye, cap'n."

Turning to speak to Dagan, Gabe's eyes seemed to blur and he suddenly felt dizzy and nauseated. "I think I need to go below," he said suddenly, and as he turned, collided with the bosun.

"My gawd sir," Graf said, "You're burning up."

Dagan helped Gabe to his cabin and sent Mr. Davy for Caleb. After speaking with Gabe, Caleb said,

"You've developed the humours, sir. A maladious humour more than likely due to the stress one has placed on his system without allowing time for the habitus to rejuvenate. I do hope this malady is not due to a contagion. Now Dawkins will give you a tea made of will ow bark to help with agues. I've added lemon and honey so that the tea will be more palatable. A generous dollop of brandy may also help you rest better. Now sir, I shall require you retire to your bed and not be disturbed until the morrow."

With a word to Dawkins to send for him should any further symptoms arise Caleb headed for the wardroom.

When Caleb had left, Dagan came over and sat by Gabe's cot.

"What else did you see," Gabe asked.

"Maybe nothing but maybe three sails, just on the horizon. Fine on the starboard bow."

"Which direction was they headed?"

"The light was too bad to tell," Dagan replied, "But tomorrow we'll know."

Dagan helped Dawkins get Gabe's boots off so he could rest properly. Then Dagan helped Gabe sit up while Dawkins administered Caleb's concoction.

"Damn," Gabe grimaced. "I thought the lemon and honey was to make the tea palatable."

"More palatable was Caleb's exact words, I believe," Dagan smiled. "You know Caleb, cure ye or kill ye, makes no difference. Either way, you quit complaining.

"Cap'n…cap'n…" Dawkins was speaking, and slowly the fog cleared from Gabe's head.

"I'm awake," he said, "What time is it?"

"First light, cap'n. I let you rest a bit longer. How do you feel this morning?"

"Right now I feel fine," Gabe answered the old sailor as he rose from his cot.

"I got your coffee ready, sir. Do you want it ’afore or ’atter your tea?"

"My tea?"

"Yes sir," Dawkins replied. "The doctor said to give it to you right off. I've got it ready." Just thinking of the concoction made Gabe's body give an involuntary shudder. "Well, let's be done with the damn stuff, then maybe I can enjoy my coffee. Where's Dagan?"

"He went topside to have a stretch. He spent the night in yonder chair."

"He stayed here al night long?"

"Aye, cap'n."

"There was no need of that. He should have rested in his own hammock."

"Begging the Cap'n's pardon, but who was gonna tell him to leave. Not me or anyone else what's got a brain." A knock at the door and the sentry announced, "Mr. Davy, sir."

"Come in, Mr. Davy. How are we this fine Navy day?"

"I'm well, cap'n. How are you this morning? You put a scare in us last evening."

’I'm fine, sir, but is that why you're here, to inquire as to my health?" Gabe asked.

"Oh no, sir, the first lieutenant's respects, sir, but are you coming on deck or should he present himself to your cabin, sir."

This caused Gabe to stop. "Is there an emergency, Mr. Davy?"

"Nay sir, but I believe they've sighted land and several sails. Dagan has gone aloft."

"Very well, Mr. Davy. Tell the first lieutenant I'll be topside directly."

"Aye, sir."

Once on deck, Gabe found both Lieutenant Hazard, Lieutenant Lavery and the master amidships. Mr. Hazard held a glass to his eye. The master was first to spot him.

"Morning, cap'n."

"Mr. Blake, Mr. Hazard, Mr. Lavery," Gabe addressed each, as was his morning ritual.

"The look-out has spotted land, sir. It appears we're a little of course," Hazard reported.

Hearing this Gabe turned to the master. "Mr. Blake, what's your calculations?"

"We've been pushed south by the gale, sir. I believe we are just off the coast of South Carolina but instead of Charlestown sir, I think we are about sixty miles south, possibly Port Royal or one of the barrier islands. There are several of them."

Dagan had made his way down from the masthead.

"There are three strange sails, two appear to be schooners and the other larger. About the size of a brig. Turtle's still about ten miles ahead and from the looks of things I'd say they've spotted her."