“Er-sorry sir. I was just caught up in the excitement.”
“Apology accepted, Mr. Davy,” Anthony replied, trying to hide his smile.
“Deck there!” hailed the masthead lookout. The brig is tacking and opening her gun ports, sir.”
“Does that answer your questions about the brig, Mr. Buck?”
“Aye, it does, sir. I bet the frog thinks he’s outta deep shat now but he’s in error, I’m thinking.”
The wind had cleared most of the smoke, and the brig was visible again. “She’s shakin out her topsails,” Peckham said. “Looks like she intends to cross
Anthony could only clench and unclench his fists. The lookout called down again, “
“Damme, if I don’t feel like climbing up there with him. He’s got the best view,” Anthony said.
“Careful now, sir,” Bart replied. “Yew ain’t as used to them heights as yew used to be. Better to let the yonkers like Mr. Davy do the skylarkin’.”
“Damn you, Bart,” Anthony replied. “You go too far at times.”
“Mr. Buck!”
“Aye, sir!”
“I’d be obliged if after we’re finished with this frog you’d be kind enough to explain proper etiquette to Bart before you keelhaul him. Then find me a suitable cox’n-one that will mind his betters and his manners.”
“Aye, sir. I’ll take care of it directly.” Buck had been with Anthony long enough to know the banter between him and the cox’n was to keep the men’s mind on them and off the impending battle. It would do no good for the men to get a case of nerves at this point in the game.
The lookout was calling down again, “The brig done gave
“Maybe that will slow them down some,” Buck said.
Smoke again had obscured all vision of the fighting ships. When the wind had finally cleared the smoke it did little to help Anthony’s apprehension.
“Mr. Buck!”
“Aye, sir.”
“I know we’re at extreme range, but I want a broadside poured into that ship. Have Williams lay each gun himself if need be and fire at will. I want our presence felt now! I’ll not see Pope sacrificed like Pitts without firing a shot.”
“Aye, sir. I’ll tend to it directly.”
“Another if you please, Mr. Williams. That was music to my ears.”
“Aye, sir. On its way,” the big gunner replied. “Come on lads. Let’s give ‘em another taste with ‘is Lordship’s blessings. And iffen they’s still not satisfied, we’ll give ‘em an encore.”
Anthony turned to Buck, “After the next broadside shorten all sail.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Mr. Peckham. Be so kind as to lay us alongside there if you please,” Anthony said, using his sword as a pointer.
“Aye, sir. Alongside she’ll be.”
Even though every jack tar was expecting it, men jumped as another of
Anthony called for Lieutenant Dunn. “Here, sir!” Dunn reported, his uniform bright and shiny as if he were about to go on parade.
“I’d be obliged if you’d get your sharpshooters stationed where they’d do the most good. I want you to direct their fire toward anyone manning a gun, then any apparent officer, then any target of choice.”
“Aye, sir,” Dunn responded. We’ll make their life hell on earth before they reach Hades.”
“Mr. McMorgan!”
“Aye,” the boson hurried over.
“Rig your nets. I don’t expect boarders cause I intend to board
After
“Mr. Buck!” Anthony shouted “Everyone down!”
“Stop your vents! Sponge out! That’s it men. Now load! Now be patient and wait for the officers command to fire, me lads! On the up roll. Fire!” The gun crews were tiring, but their work here was almost done.
“Lieutenant Markham! One more broadside, then you and Mr. Williams split the men into two different boarding parties. You take your men aft, and Williams take his forward. Arm them and await my signal.”
“Aye, sir. One more for luck, then we’ll divide up.”
“All right lads,” Williams called. “You heard ‘is Lordship. One more dose then we’ll run through ‘em.”
The crews were yelling and cursing, but ready.
“All right now, lads. Our work here is done. Let’s go be helping out our mates,” Williams yelled. “Half of you go with Lieutenant Markham and t’other half with me.”
Lieutenant Markham was not sure he liked the gunner throwing orders about, but he wasn’t about to argue with him at this moment.
After
“Buck!”
“Here, sir,” he answered, hearing Anthony’s call above the increasing din of battle.
“Have Lieutenant Dunn and his marines join Lieutenant Markham’s party aft and board
“Aye, aye, sir. We’ll handle the bastards.”