'Something about Mr. Harrel being wounded humours you, sir?'
'Aye, cap'n, when he was boarding he slipped and fel on the prong of a grappling hook.'
'Is his injury serious, Mr. Davy?'
'I…don't…think so, but it's the first time I ever seen a man grapple his own arse, sir.' The crew upon hearing Davy's words howled in laughter.
'Mr. Davy!' Markham scowled at the youth while trying to suppress his own laughter. 'You better hope the lieutenant is not laid up too long because you'll be doing his duties.'
As Gabe and Dagan turned away, Lum innocently asked, 'What's he mean, grapple his arse?' Which set the crew to howling again. Turning, Gabe saw Markham giving him the eye, so he grinned, shrugged and went back to board the Swan.
Gabe was at the point of boarding the Swan when he heard a commotion. Turning he saw Davy with his pistol drawn at a man who was apparently trying to make his way below on the privateer. Since Markham was tending the schooner's captain, Gabe decided to investigate.
'What do we have here, Mr. Davy?'
'Frenchman, sir, trying to slip below. He's slowly worked his way from midships to the companion ladder, sir. I thought his actions were suspicious so I watched and stopped him as he was making his move to get below.'
Dagan was patting the man down for weapons and found a key in the man's coat pocket. Turning to Gabe he said, 'He's no crewman…officer…and more than likely he's the captain.' The key on a gold chain swung from Dagan's hand emphasizing the suspicion.
Gabe nodded, 'Go below and see if there's a magic box this key may fit.'
'Aye,' Dagan replied and taking Lum in tow headed down to the captain's cabin.
Gabe then turned his attention to the prisoner,
'You are French?'
'Oui, m'sieu, I am from France.'
'What ship is this?'
'She is Le Frelon.'
'The Hornet,' Gabe replied.
'Oui, the Hornet.'
'Well, m'sieu, I think she's stung her last British ship.' The Frenchman seemed nonchalant and only shrugged.
'You commanded her?' Gabe asked.
'Oui, I've had the pleasure.'
'Do you know you'll hang for this, your act of piracy?' Gabe continued.
'I think not,' the man answered, 'We are not pirates. We are privateers. I have a letter of Marque from the Marine Committee in Philadelphia.'
'What is your name,' Gabe asked.
The Frenchman smiled, 'Au, we have forgotten the courtesies, have we not? I am Capitaine Francois Robeaud.' The man's continued use of the word ’oui and Г u was starting to anger Gabe who thought, 'oui hell! ' However, formalities required he be civil.
'I am Lieutenant Gabriel Anthony.'
'Do you command the ship?' Robeaud asked, indicating the Swan.
'I do not, sir, that privilege belongs to Lieutenant Frances Markham. He is presently with the brigantine's captain.'
It then occurred to Gabe that Markham should be present. 'Mr. Davy!'
'Aye, sir.'
'Would you be so kind as to give my regards to Captain Markham and if convenient could he return to the prize.'
'Aye, cap'n…ere sir.'
'Bosun!'
'Sir?'
'As soon as the prisoners are well secured take a party and search this ship.' Gabe ordered.
'Aye, sir,' the bosun replied then gathering up a party made his way below.
Turning back to the corvette captain, Gabe said,
'Tell your crew to behave and they will be treated fairly, otherwise…'
'I cannot, m'sieu.'
'Well, you damn well better,' Gabe growled,
'Because I promise you sir, that should they try any mischief or attempt to damage this vessel in any way they will be fired upon without any quarter. The choice is up to you.'
'What choice is that?' Gabe turned to see Markham had arrived. He introduced Robeaud to Markham, and then explained his comments.
Markham then faced Robeaud.
'As I recall sir, your men threw down their arms but you never came forth and gave your formal surrender.'
'Because I have not,' Robeaud replied.
'It is with regret then sir, but I deem your actions less than honorable and place you under arrest. Mr. Davy, see that the prisoner is properly secured on board the Swan.'
'I protest,' Robeaud cried, 'This is absurd.'
'Protest al you desire captain, Markham answered,
'But arrested you are.'
At that time, Dagan came back on deck. 'I think we've found something of interest.'
Turning, Gabe saw the obvious bulge in Dagan's pockets and Lum's shirt appeared to protrude. 'Damn,' Gabe thought. 'I hope Markham doesn't become interested in what's in their pockets and shirt.' As Gabe and Markham went down to the captain's cabin Lum stood aside and then made his way back to the Swan. Letting Markham go ahead, Gabe whispered to Dagan, 'Surely your not turning Lum into a larsonist?'
'Just looking after retirement,' Dagan answered,
'Us's retirement.'
Dagan had indeed found a magic box in which the key fit. 'Damme,' Markham exclaimed after reading the first page of a bundle of papers that had been locked in the box. As he started reading the second page, he handed the first to Gabe who was just as astonished as Markham.
'Damme, sir, do you know what this means?'
'Aye,' Markham replied. 'I think we'd better get underway directly. After seeing these papers perhaps Lord Anthony will not ask if we found anything else of value.'
'Damn,' Gabe thought eyeing Dagan and then replied, 'We didn't, Frances, we didn't.' Long after putting the papers back in the box and locking it, the heading of the papers still burned in
Markham 's brain. 'Plans for the invasion and occupation of Nova Scotia.'
It was midday when the lookout cal ed down, 'Sail off the larboard bow.' Swan, Le Frelon and the merchant brigantine al reduced sail until the sighting had been identified. It was the gun ketch, Pigeon, commanded by Lieutenant Kerry. Pigeon had just rounded Cape Sable on her way to rendezvous with Lord Anthony's squadron at Halifax.
'You gave me a start,' Kerry said to Markham.
'It's not often we see a French corvette in these waters.
I was sure you were a group of privateers.' After hearing of Le Frelon's capture Kerry was surprised to hear Gabe was acting as commander. 'So he's not dead. Half the squadron believes he's alive, while the other half thinks
