'Deck there,' Davy cal ed down again, 'Appears to be two Colonials, sir.'
'Well, that puts paid in putting a boat ashore,' Markham replied.
However, something Rud had said gave Gabe something to consider. But this was Markham 's ship, not his, so they'd have to discuss it.
'Captain Markham?'
The official use of his title caused Markham to turn toward his friend, 'Yes?'
'May I have a word with you, please?'
'Now?
'Aye, sir.'
'Very well. Mr. Harrel, keep a close look out.' Markham ordered as he strode aft to confer with Gabe.
'Damme sir, but have you been in the sun too long?
Has your brain been completely fried?' Markham asked after hearing Gabe's plan.
' Listen, Frances, it's a way to get our passengers ashore and put out the word on Montique at the same time.'
'Playing the devil's advocate,' Markham asked,
'What makes you so sure they'll act as you suppose?'
'Come on, Frances, wouldn't you at least initially honor a flag of truce?'
'Gabe, how is it I know you're scheming when you use my first name?'
'I don't know.'
'Because you do it every time. Sure as hell when there's a chance to end up arsehole over elbows you always use Frances. Come on Frances, there's nothing to it Frances. Well, let me tell you something, Mr. Gabriel Anthony, if there's a court martial and we wind up on the beach you have just acquired another mouth to feed.'
Surprised, Gabe exclaimed, 'You'll do it? That's my Frances.' To which Markham rolled his eyes and shook his head and groaned, 'Ohh…h'
Back on deck, Markham cal ed Mr. Harrel, ' Bend on a flag of truce. Mr. Davy, get ready to launch a long boat. Lieutenant Anthony is going on a rowing expedition.'
Both Harrel and Davy looked shocked, but both turned to do their bidding without question. Markham then turned to the bosun, 'Reduce sail.' Mr. Harrel then reported, 'Flag on truce bent on as ordered, sir.'
'Very well, Mr. Harrel, now have one of the starboard cannons fired. Unshotted, Mr. Harrel, without shot.'
By the time the cannon had been fired hoping to attract attention to the flag of truce, Gabe and Rud were getting into the longboat with Erin in company.
As the three made their way from the ship, Markham felt a sense of regret. Erin as well as the rest of the ladies had dined with him and Gabe, but for some reason he hated to see that one go.
Before reaching the larger of the two schooners, Gabe had noted a boat had put out from the smaller ship and apparently her captain had been rowed across.
Both schooners were sleek, nimble well -handled vessels. Their captains knew their business no doubt and Gabe couldn't help but think they'd present a tough pair in a battle. There was no doubt the two would wreak havoc on British shipping and make a nice profit for themselves as privateers.
'Permission to come aboard,' Gabe cal ed out as his boat bumped into the hull of the larger ship. As Gabe climbed the ladder he heard a thud and a splash.
Rud had misjudged his step and now his left leg dangled in the cold Atlantic.
'Better have the lady wait on a bosun's chair,' was cal ed down from above. Gabe made his way through the entry port onto the deck, and then turned to lend Rud a hand before introducing himself. He had borrowed clothes from Markham, so at least he was presentable this time, he thought, recalling the slaves clothing he'd been wearing when he tried to introduce himself to Montique.
'Lieutenant Gabriel Anthony,' Gabe said, introducing himself before allowing the ship's captain to question him. 'This is Mr. Rud. He's part of Colonel Francis Marion's South Carolina brigade, and the lady is Miss Erin Lancaster from Boston.'
The two captains then introduced themselves. I'm Captain Jack Cunningham and welcome aboard the Norfolk Gold. This is Captain Malachi Mundy and that's his Willing Maid you see there. We are out of the tidewater area.'
Gabe noticed he hadn't been specific as to exactly where.
'Now what do we have of such importance that a Navy Lieutenant is willing to surrender, shots unfired.'
'Truce sir, not surrender, just a momentary truce that I feel will be most beneficial for both of us, should you allow me but a quarter hour of your time.' It was a full hour before Gabe, Captains Cunningham and Mundy, Rud and Erin returned on deck. Gabe had told his story in full then stepped aside as Rud and then Erin had both been questioned. She had brought out something that Gabe had forgotten to
mention. Not only were Cunningham and Mundy from Tidewater but so were the rest of the ladies. Erin had been the only one from a different area. These bits of information seem to make the two privateer captains more determined to lend a hand.
'We'll send this one home,' Cunningham said as he put his hand across Rud's shoulder, 'And we'll make sure the women are cared for and protected until they can be reunited with their families.'
'We'll also put out the word on Montique,' Mundy volunteered. 'A treacherous soul that one and one to watch if I'm any kind of judge. You be careful, Lieutenant Anthony. That man will soon be ruined, both his reputation and finances. A man like that will hold a grudge and try to hurt you any way possible even if it's with your missy that went to Savannah.' This thought gave Gabe a chill.
As Gabe made his way over the side, Captain Mundy spoke again, 'I hope the Willing Maid and your SeaWolf never come to blows. You're a honorable man and I like you.'
'Aye,' Cunningham chimed in, 'We'd not like to battle you, but we will if we must.'
As the girls were being loaded into the longboats, Gabe talked with Lum. 'Rud says you can go with him and Colonel Marion will make you free after the war.
Captain Cunningham also says he has a place for you and you'd be a free man. Your other option is to stay with me. You can either be signed on as a crew
member or you can be my servant, and you'll be paid as a free man.'
Lum looked very solemn. 'You don't wants to be rid of me do ya suh?'
'No, Lum, you know better.'3
'Well, I wouldn't want to be fighting against you if I can help it. I can make do on the rivers, sloughs, and backwaters around Port Royal but I ain't much count when it comes ta'being a deep water sailor, so's I guess I'll just be yah servant. You is going after Missy Faith after the war, ain't ya?'
'I sure am, Lum, I sure am.'
'Well, we's best stay together then suh. I'll be yo servant til we see Missy Faith and Nanny again. Now what can I do foh ya as yo' servant dat is?'
'Teach me to play the lotz, Lum. I want to learn to play it.'
After his talk with Lum, Gabe went to say his goodbyes to the girls and Rud. Dagan was talking to Kawliga and Jubal so Gabe made his way over to their group to thank them. Just as he was approaching he heard Caleb say to Jubal, 'I have a letter here for Kitty.
See that she gets it, will you?'
'I will,' Jubal promised, then as a youth will do asked the al important question, 'Are you sweet on her, Caleb?'
'Aye, lad, that I am,' Caleb answered very sincerely without hesitating.
Well, I'll be damned, Gabe thought as Caleb's actions suddenly made sense.
Chapter Two
The following day was no different than most days at sea. Overnight the wind had backed some but it was still ’a soldier wind.' The schooner's sails were impressive and Markham knew how to handle the Swan.
They were on a heading almost due north. The water along the leeside seemed to be rushing past as evidence
