The Reaper

“I see,” said Anthony to his brother, suddenly wondering if his insight may have come from experience.

“I thought,” Gabe began, “that if we could talk maybe we wouldn’t have to put Mr. Davy through that ordeal again.” It was then Anthony realized that Gabe was still standing at attention.

“Relax, Gabe. There’s no one here but us. Have a seat and tell me what happened.”

“Well, sir, you know the lad’s father was killed just recently. A hunting accident, I’m told. Mistaken for a deer by the squire’s overseer.”

This caused Anthony to raise his eyebrows. “I hadn’t heard that. Only that he’d died suddenly of an accident.”

“Well,” Gabe continued, “Since the ah-accident, the squire’s been paying particular interest to the lad’s mother.”

“A very handsome lass, I’m told,” Anthony said, recalling Buck’s description. “All buxom and smiles.”

“Yes sir, I’ve been told the same,” Gabe replied as he continued his story. “The boy was sent off to sea, quick as you please. Anyway, Witz knew about the ah…arrangement. He’s a cruel person, sir. He asked Mr. Davy in a smirking manner if he was warm enough last night. He went on to say he shouldn’t worry any about his mother cause he was sure the squire had her all tucked in nice and warm. Well, it dawned on Mr. Davy what Witz was talking about. He then told Witz he had a vulgar mouth, and he’d better shut his mouth, or he’d call him out.’’

“He’s got nerve, the lad has,” Anthony put in.

“Aye, sir,” replied Gabe. “Well, Witz then called him a snot-nosed little shit who didn’t know his arsehole from a hawse-hole. He told Davy he should be damn glad the squire considered his mother a nice enough piece of mutton that he’d go to the trouble of packing her brat off so’s he could enjoy her pleasures. Witz then told Davy if he didn’t mind his betters, he’d personally see his arse put on the beach, and his mother would be turned out and have to peddle her wares with all the other common trollops.” Gabe gave a deep sigh. “The little bugger was fighting mad, he was, and set to have it out then and there. He told Witz he was a filthy-minded person who was so obscene he didn’t deserve to wear the King’s coat. He then told Witz if he ever spoke so rudely about his mother again, he’d kill him, so he would. Witz then laughed at the boy and shoved him. When he did, Davy retaliated by slapping Witz in the face and bloodying his lip.”

Anthony told Gabe he appreciated what he had done for Mr. Davy, standing up for the young boy as he had. He then sent Gabe to fetch the First Lieutenant.

On his way out, Gabe turned back to Anthony and stated, “By the bye, sir, I knew Witz from the Revenue Cutter Raven. We were both mids then.”

“Well, there it be, Cap’n-as bad an apple as ye can have!” Bart had returned with much the same story from Dagan as the master as had been told by Gabe.

When Buck arrived, Anthony retold the story, leaving out little.

“Same as I hear from gunner Williams,” Buck related. “Do you want me to talk to Witz, cap’n?”

“No, I’ll do it. But for this last incident involving Mr. Davy, I thought I’d do something trivial to show support for my officer without hurting a good man. But now, the crew has to know they can trust me, and that I’ll not allow them to be abused by a petty tyrant. While we’re talking Rupert, it’s also important for the officers to know that just because Gabe’s my brother he’s not to he given special treatment. He’s to be treated as any other midshipman. I don’t think he expects or wishes any special treatment. If anything, I will be harder because of father’s expectations,” Anthony said as he recalled his father’s words-I taught you well enough, I’d like you to teach him.

Buck could feel the burden his captain was carrying. “Young Gabe will be fine sir, but to tell the truth, I don’t trust Lieutenant Witzenfeld. I’d as soon cast the whoreson adrift in a lifeboat with a loaded pistol and a pint of water.”

Anthony couldn’t help but laugh at Buck’s recommendation.

“No. Put a good master’s mate on watch with him with specific instructions on calling you should the need arise. Now, if you will, send Witz down to see me.”

As Buck left, Hart said, “Ain’t a bad idea he had, sir.”

Just then the marine announced, “Fourth Lieutenant, zur”

Anthony had Witzenfeld relate his side of the story for both incidents, first involving Avery, then Mr. Davy.

When the man had finished, Anthony began. “First, let’s discuss your error in handling Avery and the landsman. As an officer, I expect you to know the abilities of each man in your watch. We’ve tried to spread out the landsmen so no watch would have more that its fair share. Since we are all new to each other, I’d expect you to trust your petty officers. When you see one trying to step in or teach a man, you should back off and let the petty officer do his job. By doing so, you’ll find the men appreciate you more and will strive harder to please you. Now, as I’ve said, we are all new to each other; therefore, we’ll chalk it up to one big misunderstanding. We’ll have a new beginning. We’ll hold Avery’s rum ration. Therefore, it will be seen as I’m supporting you.”

Before Anthony could finish his sentence, Lt. Witzenfeld seemed to go into a fit. He shouted, “Hold his rum ration! Sir, I ordered him flogged-a dozen at least.”

Witz’s outburst turned Anthony livid. He had been sitting, but now he stood abruptly, and slammed his fist on his desk, knocking over a half-filled cup of coffee. “Who the hell do you think you are to order anything? My God! Have you forgotten that I command this ship? Damme sir, have you not heard a word I’ve said?” Anthony paused to gain control of his emotions.

“Another thing, sir. Don’t ever let me hear of you making disparaging comments to anyone as you have done to Mr. Davy. If he were older, I’m sure he would have called you out. Furthermore, I’m not so sure I would have intervened.”

“Why should you, sir?” commented Witz with somewhat of a smirk on his face. “I’d enjoy the exercise.”

“Damn you to hell, man!” said Anthony in a fit of rage. “You go too far, sir. You try me. Do you not have a heart? No compassion? Damn you and your insolence! How would you care to taste the cat?”

Witz must have realized he’d gone too far. He was visibly shaken at the threat of the cat. “But sir, I’m an officer.”

“Then act like one! Now get out of my quarters.”

Witz fairly ran out of the cabin.

“Here, Cap’n.” Anthony turned to see Silas standing there with a fresh cup of coffee. “A splash ‘o something to settle yer humors, sir.”

Anthony took a drink of the warm, dark liquid and almost choked, A splash indeed! Silas had given him a warm cup of coffee-flavored brandy.

Chapter Four

As Drakkar made her way through the Channel she was rocked by a blustering gale. Waves swept over the bow and sluiced down the scuppers, carrying anybody and anything not secured with it. Sails filled with wind one moment would go slack, and then with a thunderous pop fill again from winds so perverse the master would shake his head in disbelief. The burly bosun McMorgan’s voice could constantly be heard as he coaxed the men to their duties by either blistering them with his tongue or a thrash from his rope starter.

While life for the crew was hell, it was not much better for those in the midshipman’s berth. For Davy and Gabe it was worse. Davy had unfortunately wound up in Lieutenant Witzenfield’s division.

Witzenfield was clever enough to make life so miserable that young Davy confided in Gabe that death seemed more attractive than life.

All the guns had new lashings. With the constant roll of the ship from the gale a strain was placed on the ropes and they stretched. Seeing loose lashings, Witz ordered Davy to take up the slack on all the twenty-four pounders in his section. A bruised, beaten and silent Davy made his way to his mess after completing his task.

“Damme sir, but what has happened to your face?” Markham asked.

Davy had slipped and butted his face against on one of the big cannons. His lips were battered and bloody. Tasting the wine Markham offered made him wince but soon Davy felt warm and the pain seemed to lessen.

Miller, the normally foul-tempered ex-topman who now served the midshipman showed a gentle side as he used a wet rag to wipe away the blood from the young gentleman’s face and lips. “Ought t’ see th’ surgeon to my