bowsprit to bowsprit, like two knights engaging in a joust. Dagan was on deck now bringing with him Gabe's sword and pistols. So near the admiral's squadron, yet so far away. Lum was with Dagan, seeing him Gabe felt a pang of sorrow for this man involved in a war where regardless of who won his station in life would differ but little.
'Lum.'
'Yes, suh.'
'You do not have to fight this battle. You can go below until it's over.'
'You's going to fight ain't ya, Mister Gabe?'
'Aye, Lum, that I am, but it's my duty.'
'Well suh, it's my duty to watch over you like I done promised Missy Faith I'd do. So we's both got our duties to do.'
Gabe knew it would be pointless to try to dissuade the man farther. He instead turned to Dagan, 'Help Lum pick out a good weapon.'
'Aye,' Dagan replied. Then as the two walked off Gabe had another thought.
'Lum.'
'Yes, suh?'
'We aren't fighting masters, plantation overseers or white men, we're fighting the enemy, do you understand that? A man's color doesn't matter.'
'Yes suh, I understand, it's kill or be kilt.' After Lum and Dagan went to collect weapons for themselves, Gabe approached Markham. ' Frances, what would you have me do? I'm at your disposal.' Despairingly Markham shook his head, 'It's a fool's errand Gabe. How can we do anything but make a gesture. However, we've been in worse shapes haven't we, old friend?'
'That we have,' Gabe replied.
'I'm about to fire the forward guns then have the rest of the guns fire as we come abreast. The swivels are loaded with grape. I figure our only chance is to grapple and board. we'll never stand a chance against twenty twelve-pounders. I was going to send Harrel forward and I was going to position my party amidships.
If you're bound to get yourself shot at you can take a party aft. Hopeful y, we'll meet in the middle.'
'We'll meet,' Gabe responded and shook Markham 's hand, 'Take care my friend, have a care.'
'Take in the mainsail Mr. Harrel. Run up the colors Mr. Davy. Fire as you bear. Let's give them a taste of British steel.'
Markham was right. The privateer was heavily armed and there was a score of men on deck. The forward gun went off and someone fired a swivel at the same time, a double percussion… BOOM! BANG!…startled Gabe.
Then one by one, Swan's remaining six guns fired.
However, the enemies' guns were not silent and with a thunderous crash a hole was blasted through forward, uplifting the number one gun which landed on its side crushing several crewmen. A gaping hole was now where a gun port had been. Shot after shot plowed into the Swan. Most however went high as consideration had not been taken to fact that Swan being a smaller ship set lower in the water. The starboard bulwark had taken a beating with only a few sections left standing.
The mainmast had a gash in it that sent splinters flying and blinding one of the bosun mates. Riggings were taken a beating but so far everything that was supposed to be aloft was still aloft.
He could now hear the shouts and curses as men fought. The schooner's people gave a cheer as Swan's hull dug into the privateer's hull and come to a grinding halt. Grapnels were heaved and while some were being made tight, others were used by men to swing over and climb up the bigger ship.
Gabe, Dagan, Lum and a group al boarded onto the bow of the corvette. A group of cursing men was there waiting on them and with screams and threats the two groups collided. Lum met his attacker first and a wicked blow from a boarding axe caused a handspike to clatter on deck as the man holding it found his hand was
now only holding on to his arm by a small piece of flesh.
Screaming, he broke and ran.
Gabe found himself fending off a rogue who knew how to handle a cutlass, however he was to aggressive and fel for a feint Gabe made which opened his guard and Gabe's sword plunged into the man's armpit causing blood to spurt. Startled shouts and musket shots seemed to be coming from every direction.
Gabe suddenly became angry, wildly angry. Al the vented frustrations seem to let loose at once. A man with a bayoneted musket tried to fire only to realize he'd not reloaded after firing the last shot so he lunged at Gabe with the bayonet that Gabe deftly deflected then shot the man with his pistol. He then ducked as a man slashed at him with a blade only to fall to Lum's axe.
'This way men, this way ` Swannies`,' that was Markham rallying the men. Another loud sound from amidships, a swivel had been fired. Looking across the privateer's deck, Gabe realized what looked like a pile of rubbish was actual y dead bodies.
Another privateer brandishing a boarding pike and pistol attacked Dagan. However, slipping in blood Dagan fel causing his own weapon to go off taking the top of the man's skull off. Above the den of clashing steel, musket and pistol shots, screams and curses Gabe could hear the sudden cheers of men. Theirs or ours, he wondered.
'To midships,' he cal ed to his group, 'Make your way to midships.' Continuing to fight, the battle seemed less furious. Davy stood over a man rolling on
the deck; his dirk was sticking from the man's chest.
Blood ran down Davy's hand. As the man tried to raise and fire his pistol Dagan raised a boarding pike and crashed it down across the man's skull.
'Dat one was already dahyd and ’jus didn't know it,' Lum declared.
Struggling over upended guns Gabe realized Swan's guns did more than he had first thought. The fighting had al but ended, as Gabe's group made their way past sprawled bodies and wounded men crawling, begging for help.
Then suddenly one last group of privateers seemed to rise up in defiance. Their leader swung a boarding axe that made a swooshing sound as Gabe ducked under its blade. As he ducked he lost his footing and landed heavy on his backside only to be jerked up by Dagan who quipped, 'No time for sitting down on the job now.'
The man who swung the blade was now on the deck in a big puddle of blood. When Gabe looked further the man appeared to have a third eye. One created by a musket bal courtesy of Swan's marine sharpshooters. Now that the resistance had almost ended, Gabe's group made their way to Markham 's group. Markham turned to greet Gabe when Davy shouted, 'Look out sir!' Just in time Markham jumped backwards. His attacker had sliced open his coat with a heavy cutlass. Markham felt an instant burning sensation to his stomach and felt a warm wetness when he touched the area with his hand. Then the man with
his blade held high above his head yelled a curse and lunged at Markham.
Using his own blade to take the brunt of the blow a numbing shock seemed to penetrate his shoulder. As the two blades clashed a sudden fear gripped Markham, and with a bloody hand he removed his knife from his belt. His attacker, a much bigger man, was fill ed with blood lust and seemed to be ignorant that the battle was lost. Once again, raising his cutlass in an arc over his head the man swung his blade with al his might. Had the aim been true it would have kill ed, but again Markham used his blade to deflect the other's cutlass, but this time he only partial y deflected the blade and by giving some and side-stepping, his opponent became off balance and fel forward exposing his flank. As he did so Markham drove his knife blade deep to the hilt, right into the man's kidney. The man fel into a pile then as one, the Swannies broke into cheers. The tired but jubilant men clapped their friends' back and shook each other's hands.
'So we can't do anything but make a gesture,' Gabe asked recalling Markham 's words. 'Well, damme sir, but I think we just made one hell of a gesture.'
'Aye,' Markham replied, 'But we couldn't have done it without your help.'
'Cap'n!'
'Yes, Mr. Davy.'
'The brigantine's captain requests to see you, sir, but he's wounded so you'll have to go to him.'
'Very well. Where's Mr. Harrel?'
'He's…ah…he's been wounded, sir,' Davy replied with a snicker.
