Michael Aye - The Reaper

“They’re good fighters too,” Anthony whispered to his new wife.

The reception at Commodore Gardner’s residence seemed to drag on forever. The newlyweds were worn out by the time they’d drunk the evening’s last toast.

Deborah was giddy as the carriage took them back to the little cottage where they’d first made love. Well, you’ve ruined the gossip for the time being, my husband.”

“How so?”

“By making an honest woman of me,” she giggled. A certain look came into Deborah’s eyes as she nudged still closer to Anthony. “But I’m still as wanton as a tavern wench where you’re concerned, sir.” Reaching down and grabbing Anthony to add effect, she asked in a coarse whisper, “Are you ready to bed me, sir?” As he became aroused Deborah commented before Anthony could reply. “Oh, me thinks so,” she said, trying to mimic Bart.

“Aye, me thinks so indeed,” Anthony replied. He was more than ready.

As Bart and Silas made their way back to Drakkar after the wedding reception was over they could see the Royal Chatham had activity aboard. “They’s getting ready to take the newlyweds on their honeymoon, I reckon,” Bart commented.

“It appears so,” Silas answered. “But what do ye think of ‘is Lordship taken ‘us’ns along. They got servants a plenty and a full crew for the Royal Chatham.”

“What difference do it make why we’s going?” Bart answered. “Didn’t ye see Lady Deborah’s servant girls? They’s a pair of lookers, they be. This trip could be like a honeymoon for ‘us’ns if we’s able to get them servant girls in a cooperative like mood. What ye think Silas?”

“We’ll see mate, we’ll see!”

July, 1775. As hot a July as could be remembered on the island of Antigua. Not a person moved during the heat of the day unless it was absolutely necessary. The road from St. Johns all the way to English Harbour was completely empty. Commodores Gardner and Anthony sat in white wicker-backed chairs trying to stay cool as they drank a glass of chilled lime juice.

The two senior officers listened attentively to the lieutenant before them as he relayed the disturbing news from the colonies. The lieutenant was the commander of the mail packet, Gull .

“So it’s war,” Gardner asked.

“Yes, sir. It appears the talks have failed and we’re at war with our own colonies. General Gage, who is the governor of Massachusetts, sent troops to seize weapons that had been cached by the colonials. He was met by a ragtag force. But instead of an open engagement which General Gage’s forces could have easily won, there was a running battle from Lexington to Concord. The colonials carried out one ambush after another. The general’s troops finally destroyed the weapons, but reports have it that casualties were very high. Then in June, there was another battle at a place called Bunker’s Hill. I’m told over fifteen hundred fell that day.”

“Damme,” snorted Gardner as he got to his feet. “That’s a hellish high number. We’ve not even got started well yet. I told you it’d be a different type of war, did I not sir?”

Gardner directed his comments to Anthony who thus far had listened quietly, but who was disturbed nonetheless.

Gardner invited Gull ’s captain to dine that evening, then had him ushered out. He then turned his attention back to Anthony. “Have you gone through the admiralty dispatches?”

“Yes,” Anthony replied. “I’m to turn Drakkar over to Pope. He’s been made captain.”

“That’s a lot of ship for his first command as a captain,” Gardner said. “Mine was a old sixth rate twenty-eight gun frigate, and I felt lucky to get her.”

“Aye. I remember my first. But Pope has commanded a cutter and a brig. He was first lieutenant on a first rate, and he’s showed good judgment since he’s been with me. I think he’ll do fine. He can keep Steven Earl as his first lieutenant, if he desires. Earl has just about grown up on Drakkar , and he’s been taught well by Lieutenant Buck and old Peckham.”

“Speaking of Buck, why did they not make him captain and give him Drakkar ?” Gardner quizzed. “He surely deserves it, and he certainly knows the ship.”

“That puzzles me as well,” Anthony admitted. “My reports strongly recommended Buck for captain and a command. Pope is senior, but Buck should have been made captain long ago. He probably would have, had he not been so loyal to me. This was our second commission together with him as my first lieutenant. At any rate, he’s to return to England and report to the admiralty. I hope they have a ship for him.”

“What about you?” Gardner asked.

“I’m to return to England as well, where I’m to report to Lord Sandwich at my earliest convenience.”

“You’re taking Lady Deborah, I’m sure,” Gardner commented. “And if she takes a couple of maids, your party will be too big for the packet.”

“Yes, I know,” Anthony said. “I was thinking of having Gabe take us in the ketch Shark. It’ll be cramped and rough, but we’ll be a private ship.” Anthony then looked at his friend and knew he’d miss him. What have you decided?” Anthony asked.

“I haven’t yet,” Gardner replied. “There’s sure to be another Admiral take command of the station, and I doubt he’ll be as genteel as Sir Lawrence was.”

“You may be placed in command of a squadron, or maybe even given your flag,” Anthony said, trying to be optimistic for his friend.

“No, I’m too long behind a desk to be given a squadron. I’ve been in the Indies too long to have enough influence to even be considered for anything important. No, I’ll stay as dockyard commissioner as long as they’ll let me. The truth is that before the hostilities erupted I was going to retire from government service, move to Virginia in the colonies, and go into shipping with a friend. But now who knows?”

London was hustling, and Lady Deborah was astonished at the pace of things. The voyage back to England had been very pleasant and uneventful. When Anthony and Gabe returned to the admiralty for their appointment there was a definite change. The lazy ho-hum attitude had been replaced with a sense of urgency. Gabe didn’t seem so overwhelmed as he did that first trip. He was older now-a lieutenant and a mature, seasoned officer. A veteran of several ship to ship actions, and he carried the scars to prove it. There were admirals here in Whitehall who hadn’t seen the action that Gabe had. Anthony had noticed some of the looks they’d received upon entering the admiralty. Gabe’s black hair now had a long narrow strip of gray where a bullet had grazed his scalp. Anthony knew Gabe was sensitive about “his streak.” Deborah had told him it made him look not only handsome, but also mysterious and romantic. Overhearing the comment, Caleb had let out a groan and stated, “God woman, don’t give him anymore reason to lord his prowess over us mortals.”

One of the clerks greeted Anthony and Gabe, and assured them the first lord would be with them directly. As soon as the clerk was out of earshot, Gabe whispered to Anthony, “‘Cept for the glasses, don’t he favor Caleb’s ape?”

Anthony’s burst of laughter caused stares from other officers. But damme if Gabe wasn’t right. The resemblance was there. The clerk returned quickly, somewhat disturbed by Anthony’s chuckling. The clerk was used to a more somber attitude from those officers who entered this hallowed place.

“The First Lord will see you now,” the clerk said as he directed Anthony and Gabe to Lord Sandwich’s Office.

“Gil! How nice to see you again. And you as well Gabe. Well Gil, you’ve done your duty as I knew you would. In this time of gloom you’ve been my ray of sunshine. I knew you were the man to handle those pirates. Your deeds have not gone unnoticed. That I promise you. Nor have yours, Gabe,” the First Lord added.