The Reaper

“Aye, sir,” Graf replied to the first lieutenant.

“Well, I wish you’d tend to your duties and leave Dagan to attend his. I declare sir, this watch is as loose as a whore’s drawers. I’m not sure you’re fit to stand watch over a bumboat.”

Stokes grinned at Anthony. “I think Mr. Buck’s got the boy’s attention, sir. They get to feeling important at that stage and ‘as to be taken down a peg or two from time to time.”

***

When Anthony got the chance to talk privately with his sister he asked about their mother. He had the feeling Becky had been hiding something, evading any conversation about their mother. “What is wrong?” he finally demanded.

Becky sighed and said, “Mother’s going mad. She goes into fits of delirium. She curses and imagines all sorts of creatures are after her, especially snakes. The doctors give her opium when she’s at her worst. Her skin has turned yellow. Jaundiced, the doctors call it. They’ve bled her, but nothing seems to help-except brandy and the opium.”

“It may be the brandy that’s caused it,” Anthony replied. “I’ve seen it in a few ship’s surgeons.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

The small church was packed. People were even gathered outside around open windows and the back door. The sun was dipping over the horizon, but still the inside of the church was sweltering hot. A heavy haze hung over the anchorage. “So much for a quaint little wedding,” Anthony thought. He was standing at the altar with Gabe as best man beside him. Greta stood opposite to Anthony, as she was Deborah’s maid of honor. Watching Deborah walk slowly down the aisle with her escort, Commodore Gardner, made Anthony realize how much he loved this woman. He also realized how lonely his life had been. He’d never be able to put to sea again without regret and concern. He now understood why the Admiralty frowned on young officers getting married.

When the kiss was complete, the reverend addressed the guests. “I present to you his Lordship and Lady Anthony.”

Lieutenant Dunn’s marines had turned out as honor guards. Their immaculate dress did much to impress Lady Deborah.

“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!”

Epilogue

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